Jayne Foley, founder of Fresh Film, honoured at the Global Production Awards for three decades of championing young Irish filmmakers
Jayne Foley, the Limerick-based founder and artistic director of Fresh Film, has been awarded the prestigious Impact Leadership Award at the 2026 Global Production Awards in Cannes, in recognition of her 30-year commitment to nurturing young filmmakers in Ireland and internationally.
Presented by Screen International during the Cannes Film Festival, the award honours individuals who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the global film and television industry through leadership, innovation, inclusion and sustainability.
Foley was praised by the international jury for building Fresh Film into one of Ireland’s foremost platforms for young screen talent. Founded in Limerick in 1996, the not-for-profit organisation has supported thousands of young people — aged 7 to 18 — to create, screen and share original film work over the past three decades.
The jury commended Foley’s “sustained generational impact on Ireland’s screen industry,” with one judge noting: “Foley exemplifies leadership through institution-building — creating a lasting infrastructure that will continue to impact the industry beyond any individual’s tenure.”
Judges also highlighted Fresh Film’s flagship programme, Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year, which gives emerging creators the opportunity to have their work screened in cinemas and broadcast nationally on RTÉ.
Speaking to Limerick Post after the ceremony, Foley said she was “deeply honoured” by the recognition, but was quick to credit those the organisation exists to serve.
“This award really belongs to the thousands of young filmmakers who have trusted Fresh Film with their stories over the past 30 years. Seeing young people find confidence, creativity and a voice through filmmaking has always been at the heart of what we do. To see that work recognised on an international stage like Cannes is incredibly special.”
Foley was shortlisted alongside industry leaders from the United States, Austria and South Africa, making the accolade a notable achievement for both Limerick and Ireland’s wider screen sector. And it is symbolic of how high Limerick is held in the film industry.
Jayne commented, “I think the film industry in Limerick is in a really exciting place right now. When Fresh Film 30 started 30 years ago, the idea that Limerick would become such a significant centre for film and television production would have seemed very ambitious. Today, we have Troy Studios attracting major international productions, Film in Limerick doing fantastic work to support and promote the sector, and projects like Once Upon a Time in a Cinema demonstrating the quality of filmmaking that is happening here.
“What excites me most is that we are seeing the whole ecosystem develop. Through Fresh Film, I have spent three decades working with young filmmakers and many of those young people are now building careers across the industry as directors, producers, writers, crew and creatives.”
The win in Cannes comes as Fresh Film marks its 30th anniversary in 2026. The organisation continues to expand its reach through festivals, training programmes, mentorships and industry partnerships. Its alumni include Oscar nominees, television personalities, actors and some of Ireland’s most prominent film and creative professionals.
Fresh Film began in a very different era for film making and students had to be very creative on low budgets to make their work.
“When Fresh Film started in 1996, filmmaking looked completely different. Young people were shooting on camcorders, editing in-camera and posting VHS tapes to us for competition entry. There was no YouTube, no smartphones and very few clear pathways into the industry.
“Today there is a real sense that opportunities are growing and that talent can develop and stay connected to the region.
“Limerick has always had great stories and great storytellers. What we are seeing now is the infrastructure, investment and ambition coming together to match that creativity. It feels like we are only at the beginning of what is possible.”
Fresh Film previously received the Community Impact Award at the same Screen International ceremony in 2024, underlining the organisation’s growing international profile.
For more information on Fresh Film, visit www.freshfilm.ie