Fresh Film’s HotHouse program, a real launchpad for young Irish film talents, is making its big comeback for 2025/2026. Supported by renowned partners such as RTÉjr, Screen Ireland, and the Arts Council Ireland, this unique program is designed to turn the dreams of young filmmakers into reality by guiding them through all the stages of creating a professional short film.
A Unique Opportunity for Young Creators
HotHouse is more than just a program: it’s a stepping stone to the film industry. The selected young directors benefit from expert guidance, €1,000 in funding to bring their project to life, and, above all, an exceptional platform for broadcast. Their films are shown on the RTÉ Player in the “Fresh Screens” section and, most notably, they premiere at the prestigious Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF).
Discovering the Talents of 2025/2026
This new edition of HotHouse promises to be rich and diverse. Eight young filmmakers have been selected for their bold and original projects, exploring a wide range of genres and themes.
Adam Flannelly, an 18-year-old filmmaker from County Galway, has already won 28 awards and selections for his short films. His film for the HotHouse program, titled “TRANSIT”, marks his first venture into the comedy genre.
Cian Conachy, a writer and director from Cavan, explores the complexity of love and relationships in his film “Taylor Fay”, which follows a young woman in search of truth about love after a breakup.
Emma Whelan, 19, a film student in Dublin, invites us to follow the story of a teenager who accepts change in her film “Translation”. The narrative features Mailí, a young Irish speaker who moves from the Gaeltacht region to the bustling city.
Liam Raymond, a passionate and unconventional filmmaker, re-imagines Irish folklore in a modern and quirky way in his film “A Blanket Made of Stone”.
Hugo Fearon, 18, from Belfast, is interested in experimenting with both film and animation. His film “Fog Tooth” tells the story of a librarian whose curse of perpetual good luck negatively affects her well-being.
Ellen McSweeney, a filmmaker from Kerry studying film in Dublin, offers an experimental meditation on memory and nostalgia in “Watching the Washing Machine”.
Myah Sullivan explores family ties in her film “What Still Glows”, which follows two estranged sisters who try to reconnect by cleaning their childhood home after their mother’s death.
Devlin Murphy is the writer and director of “Another Perfect Day”, a story about a young woman who escapes the laundry cycle and her closest companion, a radio.
These eight projects showcase the creativity and diverse voices of the next generation of Irish filmmakers.
HotHouse 2026: Don’t Miss These!
From Competition to the Big Screen
The path to the HotHouse program begins with entering the “Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year” competition. Participants are then invited to write a “treatment” (a kind of detailed blueprint) for a short film on a given theme, while also taking part in a scriptwriting masterclass. A panel of film experts then selects the eight talents who will join the program.
The HotHouse program is a prime example of the commitment of Irish institutions to training and supporting young artists. By offering them a professional learning environment, financial support, and media exposure, it allows them to take their first steps into the industry and become the future leaders of Irish cinema.
Stay tuned to discover the work of these young directors, whose films will soon be ready for their big debut!
About Fresh Film
Founded in 1997, Fresh Film is an Irish organization dedicated to promoting cinema for and by young people. It organizes the Fresh International Film Festival, Ireland’s longest-running and largest film festival for young people, and develops programs like HotHouse to encourage young people to express their ideas and stories through film. Fresh Film believes in the potential of cinema as a tool for expression, education, and personal development, and strives to empower young people to become the filmmakers of tomorrow.
