Are youth talkin’ to me?
Image 1 of 5
Mary Cashman, Administrator Cork First Cut Festival and Tara Murphy, Festival Volunteer. Darragh Kane PhotographyImage 2 of 5
Cllr Patrick Mulcahy and Max Le Cain, Programme Manager. Darragh Kane PhotographyImage 3 of 5
Kieran Quinn, Youghal Credit Union and Jessica Bonenfant, First Cut Festival. Darragh Kane PhotographyImage 4 of 5
The First Cut Youth Film Festival volunteers and committee. Darragh Kane PhotographyImage 5 of 5
Mary McGrath, Youth Film Project Coordinator. Darragh Kane PhotographyMichael Olney
More than 200 films are set to screen on Leeside early next month as Cork gets ready to shine a spotlight on the very best of youth filmmaking in Ireland.
The First Cut Youth Film Festival (FCYFF) returns to Youghal from 3-8 March, bringing together emerging filmmakers from Ireland and beyond.
Now in its 16th year, the festival will screen more than 200 short films across six days, offering young filmmakers aged 12 to 25 a platform to showcase their work, participate in workshops, and engage with industry professionals. Screenings and talks will take place in the majestic Regal Cinema and Mall Arts Centre in Youghal.
Festival director Mary Mc Grath said: “This festival is a platform for young voices to shine, fostering creativity and connection within our community. Working with these amazing young people makes it possible to create a very special event, a vibrant space to gather, learn, share, and be inspired by the bold visions of tomorrow’s storytellers and filmmakers!”
This year, the FCYFF welcomes director Brendan Canty as special festival guest. One of Ireland’s most exciting directors, Brendan Canty (Hozier’s ‘Take Me to Church’) will discuss his journey from music videos to feature films. His debut feature ‘Christy’ has just premiered at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival.
There will also be a special screening on 7 March of TG4 documentary ‘Na Lumière Gaelacha’ on the Horgan brothers, Irish photography and cinema pioneers which will be followed by a Q &A with director, Darina Clancy.
As part of the Festival’s Schools Open Call Programme, over a dozen schools from all over Ireland will screen short films of all genres. In addition to this, 50 Cork-based primary and secondary schools will screen films during the festival as part of the Cork Young Filmmakers Programme and special First Cut animation and Irish language filmmaking initiatives.
One of the festival’s flagship projects, the Youth Music Video Competition, pairs emerging filmmakers with top Irish music acts, mentored by Brendan Canty, Bob Gallagher, Kate Dolan, and Tara O’Callaghan. Courtesy of the Arts Council YPCE Project Award, the Best Music Video winner receives a €5,000 bursary.
Meanwhile, the festival’s Spotlight Programme highlights emerging filmmakers of third level age of exceptional promise. Highlights of this programme include ‘Flawless’ (Muirinn Carty) a challenging examination of society’s views of images of ageing; ‘Uilíoch’, a sober and hard hitting look at the troubles (Seosamh Mac Seoin); and ‘Redemption’, artist Mary O’Leary’s painterly, surreal, and very personal vision of addiction.
For more information and to book, visit firstcutfilmfestival.com.