We were thrilled to receive an overwhelming number of pitch decks for Hothouse 2027 this year! The overall standard of applications was exceptionally high, making the final selection process both inspiring and extremely competitive for our panel.
After careful consideration, eight outstanding short films have been officially selected for this year’s development pipeline. The final selection reflects an incredible diversity of genres and styles—ranging from Irish language projects and spine-tingling horror to creative stop-motion animation. We can’t wait to see these original concepts brought to life on screen!
Masterclasses & Script Development
At Fresh Film, we are committed to supporting all emerging talent. To champion every creator who submitted a pitch, all applicants were invited to an exclusive screenwriting masterclass led by acclaimed screenwriter Jonathan Hughes to help hone their scriptwriting skills for future projects.
Meanwhile, the eight selected filmmaking teams completed one-on-one script development sessions with industry mentors, digging deep into their story beats, character arcs, and script structure to refine their narratives before going on set.
Hands-On Workshop Day in Action
We recently brought the entire Hothouse cohort together for an intensive, collaborative workshop day packed with expert guidance across key production areas:
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Producing: A comprehensive session with producer Eamon Hughes.
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Climate-Conscious Storytelling: Sustainable filmmaking practices presented by Green from Script to Screen.
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Cinematography: Insights into visual storytelling and camera craft. Fionnuala McCormack
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Directing & Creative Advice: Practical set guidance and mentorship from long-time Fresh Film mentor Laura O’Shea.
The workshop provided a fantastic space for the young directors, writers, and producers to share ideas, collaborate, and build connections as they make final preparations for principal photography.
What’s Next? Filming & Premiere Details
Production will be taking place over the coming weeks! Once wrapped and edited, the finished short films will enjoy a high-profile premiere at the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) before reaching nationwide audiences on the RTÉ Player. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming behind-the-scenes previews!
Looking Back at Hothouse 2026
Curious about what previous cohorts have created through the scheme? You can read all about last year’s talent and explore the highlights from our previous festival showcase on our Hothouse DIFF 2026 Premiere Highlights page. It’s a wonderful reminder of the incredible stories that emerge from this initiative every single year!
Thank You to Our Funders & Partners
Hothouse 2027 would not be possible without the generous support of our funding bodies and partners. A massive thank you to Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland (through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme), RTÉ, and The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon for empowering the next generation of storytellers.
