TWENTY emerging young filmmakers from across Munster have been shortlisted for the Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards 2026 (IYFTY Awards), which will take place at the Mansion House in Dublin on Thursday March 26.
Munster saw an extraordinary level of participation this year, with two dedicated regional screenings. Thirty films were showcased in the hometown of Fresh the Omniplex Limerick on March 4, where the shortlist for the wider Munster region was announced
Celebrating its 30th year, Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards, part of the Fresh International Film Festival produced by Fresh Film, are globally regarded as one of the world’s leading annual film events for young people. In 2024, Fresh Film was honoured with the Community Impact Award at the Screen International Global Production Awards at the Cannes Film Festival. More than 1,500 short film entries were received for consideration for the 2026 IYFTY Awards and IYFTY Awards founder Jayne Foley noted: “Munster’s young filmmakers are particularly strong this year, with a remarkable range of work on display. From mockumentary and musical comedy to poetic documentary and even outer space adventure, the diversity of storytelling is incredibly exciting. We’re also delighted to see such strong representation from across Limerick, Kerry, Cork, Tipperary and Clare”
Limerick delivers an especially diverse slate of nominees. Limerick Youth Theatre is shortlisted in both Best Group and Best Art Direction for 12 Scissors, a theatrical production that brings stagecraft energy to the screen. Emerging Limerick Filmmakers are nominated in Best Group for ‘Accowntant’, while director Dara Ajala from Coláiste Chiaráin’s Muchin vs Manchin earns a nomination in the Animation Ireland Award category.
Honour Bala Ahmed’s And You Wonder Why We’re Like This stands out with multiple nominations, including Best Comedy, Bow Street Performance Award and the Screen Producers Ireland Sustainability Award. This high-energy musical comedy follows six teenagers warring over a hangout spot, as friendships fracture and chaos escalates into a full-blown musical showdown.
Also representing Limerick in the Animation Ireland Award category is The Leak, directed by 14 year old Mikey Mahon.
The IYFTY Awards 2026 take place on March 26 at The Mansion House in Dublin and will be attended by filmmakers aged 12-18 from across the island. From hundreds of entries, 60 films have made it to the final stage, with 17 awards to be revealed at the ceremony before the prestigious title of ‘Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2026’ is announced.
Previous IYFTY Award winners and participants include Oscar-nominated director Vincent Lambe (Detainment); All-American High School Film Festival, New York ‘Best Director’ Seán Treacy (this year’s Awards host); acclaimed Irish filmmaker Dónal Foreman; IFTA nominated director Conor McMahon (Let The Wrong One In); comedian and TV personality Justine Stafford and the late BBC presenter and author Nick Sheridan and lastly Cal O’Driscoll (Video Nasty) who was recently nominated for supporting actor in 2026 IFTAs.