The Lost Children of Tuam to receive World Premiere at the 2026 Galway Film Fleadh
Posted: 18th June 2026
The Lost Children of Tuam will receive its World Premiere at the 2026 Galway Film Fleadh on Saturday 11th July with key cast and creatives in attendance.
Directed by Frank Berry (Aisha, Michael Inside) and written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz (The Salt Path, She Said), the film is based on The New York Times article ‘The Lost Children of Tuam’ by Dan Barry, published in 2017. The film features a powerful cast including award-winning Monica Dolan (Sherwood, Mr Bates vs The Post Office) who plays Catherine Corless, along with fellow cast members Andrew Bennett (God’s Creatures, The Quiet Girl) and Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones, Derry Girls).
The film tells the real life story of how, whilst researching the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway, for a local historical society, history enthusiast Catherine Corless uncovered the devastating possibility that as many as 796 children had been buried in unmarked graves on the property. The discovery began a campaign for justice for both victims and survivors of the home that has had a lasting impact on Ireland today.
Liam Neeson, who optioned the rights to the New York Times article, is producer for El Paso Films, along with Jules Daly for Big Red Films, Chelsea Morgan Hoffmann, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Oscar-winning Element Pictures and Martina Niland for Port Pictures. The film is presented by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and BBC Film in association with Fremantle, Coimisiún na Meán, MK2 and RTÉ with MK2 handling worldwide sales, with Volta Pictures Distribution releasing the film in Ireland.
Charlene Lydon, Programmer of the Galway Film Fleadh, said:
The Lost Children of Tuam is a profoundly moving and important piece of filmmaking. Frank Berry approaches this story with immense sensitivity, compassion and humanity, creating a film that honours the lives of the children and the experiences of survivors while confronting a painful chapter of our shared history. We are honoured to present its World Premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh and to provide a platform for a story that continues to resonate both in Ireland and around the world.”
The Lost Children of Tuam will receive its World Premiere at 8.20pm on Saturday, 11th July at the Town Hall Theatre as part of the 38th Galway Film Fleadh. Advance tickets are now available on galwayfilmfleadh.com.
In addition to presenting the film, director Frank Berry will participate in this year’s Galway Film Fleadh Director’s Masterclass, where he will reflect on his acclaimed body of work, his creative process, and his commitment to telling powerful, socially resonant stories. The Masterclass will provide audiences and emerging filmmakers with a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of Ireland’s most respected contemporary directors. Tickets to the Masterclass are available here.
The full programme for the 38th Galway Film Fleadh will be unveiled on Tuesday, 23rd June at 6pm.