Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow Young Filmmakers Shine on IYFTY Awards 2026 Shortlist

Emerging young filmmakers from Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow are leading the way in this year’s Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards, with a strong showing on the Leinster shortlist.

A total of 29 young filmmakers from across Leinster have secured nominations for the prestigious awards, which will take place at The Mansion House on March 26. The shortlist was unveiled at a special screening in Omniplex Rathmines, where 116 films were showcased to an audience of students, teachers, families and film enthusiasts.

Celebrating its 30th year, the awards are part of the Fresh International Film Festival, produced by Fresh Film. More than 1,500 short films were submitted for consideration in 2026, underlining the growing strength of youth filmmaking nationwide.

Dublin leads the charge with an impressive range of nominations. Alexandra College is shortlisted for Best School for Chromatography, while CBS James Street’s Birdy is nominated for Best Cinematography and the Bow Street Performance Award for Ava O’Keeffe. Le Chéile Secondary School, Tyrrelstown, earned recognition for What Goes on Behind, including a nomination in the RTÉ 60 Second Award category.

Dublin filmmakers also feature strongly in individual categories. Between the Lines by Bianca Busatto Balthazar and Charli Gorman is nominated for Best Concept, alongside Is This Seat Taken, directed by Catherine Cannon. Fourteen-year-old Nicholas Krasadakis is shortlisted for Best Screenplay for Descent, while Alexander Hollingsworth’s Fisher Boy is nominated for both Best Director and Best Cinematography. Dublin creatives also appear in the RTÉ Factual Award and Animation Ireland Award categories.

Kildare has made a significant impact;

 Sam Whelan’s The Wrong Jumper shortlisted for Best Comedy. Young directors Kirstie Laird (Let Go) and Abby McDermott (Dirty Laundry) are both nominated for Best Director, while performers Isabelle Nolan and Chloe Cody are recognised in the Bow Street Performance category.

Wicklow talent is also to the fore.

Spotlight Studios is nominated in Best Group for White Witch. Sonny Santiago’s Possessed By You has earned nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Screenplay, while Parklife is shortlisted for Best Concept. Ciann Power and Aaron Gaynor also secured recognition in the RTÉ 60 Second Award category.

The awards ceremony will be hosted by filmmaker and former winner Seán Treacy and actor and comedian Faye Shortt, bringing together more than 500 young filmmakers to celebrate the next generation of Irish storytelling talent.