Limerick, March 2026 – The spotlight shone bright at the 30th-anniversary edition of the Fresh International Film Festival, where Liam Raymond from County Cavan was officially crowned Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2026.
Watch all the winning short films over on Fresh Film YouTube
Watch all the winning short films over on
In a year that celebrated three decades of youth creativity, the competition reached new heights, showcasing an incredible array of stories from across the island. Raymond captivated the judges with his film, “Deep Where the Cailleach Lives,” a work praised for its atmospheric storytelling and technical mastery.
The Winning Film: Deep Where the Cailleach Lives
The 2026 winning entry stands as a testament to the artistic maturity of Ireland’s young directors. Taking home both the First Place title and the Screen Producers Ireland Sustainability Award, Liam Raymond’s film was lauded for its unique vision.
The runner-up spots were equally competitive, with Charlie Beimers (Down) taking Second Place for The Volunteer—which also secured the Animation Ireland Award—and Hugo Fearon (Belfast) taking Third Place for the creatively titled So-N-So’s Frozen Frog Museum.
Liam Raymond was awarded Ireland’s Junior Young Filmmaker of the Year for his film ‘Deep Where the Cailleach Lives’.
Photos credit: Andres Poveda ‘IYFTY Final’
A Celebration of Craft
This year’s awards highlighted excellence across every department of filmmaking. From Alexander Hollingsworth’s precise vision in Fisher Boy (Best Director) to the striking visual world of Alana Gaston and Reuben Duncan’s What’s the Job (Best Cinematography), the 2026 finalists demonstrated that the future of the Irish screen industry is in safe hands.
The RTÉ 60 Second Award was presented to Estera Calugarici from Le Chéile Secondary School for What Goes On Behind, while the Best School award went to CBS James Street for their film Birdy.
Empowering the Future
For thirty years, the Fresh International Film Festival has been dedicated to empowering the future of Irish film. Through the Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards, the festival sparks creativity in young people and inspires lifelong careers in the screen industries. By encouraging hands-on learning in visual narrative and collaborative production, Fresh continues to develop the essential skills of Ireland’s emerging talent.
A Thriving Creative Sector
The continued success of the festival is made possible by the generous collaboration and investment of our partners. We are deeply grateful for the support of: The Arts Council of Ireland, RTÉ, Screen Ireland, Omniplex Cinema Group, Limerick City and County Council, Coimisiún na Meán, Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board, Screen Producers Ireland, The Radharc Trust, Animation Ireland, Bow Street Academy, IFCO, RTÉ Supporting the Arts
These partnerships are crucial to fostering a thriving and enduring Irish film and television sector. As the curtain closes on the 2026 festival, we celebrate not only our winners but every young filmmaker who shared their vision with us. The journey for the class of 2026 is only just beginning.
Watch the Winners
Catch all the winning short films over on the Fresh Film YouTube Channel
Viewer discretion advised: some films include mature themes. Parents, guardians, and teachers are encouraged to preview films before screening with younger audiences.
Full List of Winners 2026
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Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year (1st Place): Deep Where the Cailleach Lives – Liam Raymond (Cavan)
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Second Place: The Volunteer – Charlie Beimers (Down)
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Third Place: So-N-So’s Frozen Frog Museum – Hugo Fearon (Belfast)
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Best Director: Fisher Boy – Alexander Hollingsworth (Dublin)
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Best Screenplay: Possessed By You – Sonny Santiago (Wicklow)
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Best Art Direction: 12 Scissors – Limerick Youth Theatre (Limerick)
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Best Comedy: Slasher – Liam Donohoe Dunne (Roscommon)
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Best Cinematography: What’s the Job – Alana Gaston and Reuben Duncan (Antrim)
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Best School: Birdy – CBS James Street (Dublin)
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Best Group: Pricked – Stagecraft Youth Theatre (Tipperary)
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Best International Film: The Human Condition – M Juliette Gonzalez & Rodrigo Cifuentes (USA)
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RTÉ 60 Second Award: What Goes On Behind – Estera Calugarici (Dublin)
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The Radharc Award: Life in Listowel – Airt Lyons and Jack Carney (Kerry)
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RTÉ Factual Award: Embers of the Damned – Rachel Emily McIlhagger (Antrim)
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Bow Street Performance Award: Pricked – Abbie Burke (Tipperary)
Photos credit: Andres Poveda ‘IYFTY Final’
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