Meet our Alumni: Emma Whelan, from Finglas, Dublin. A student at the National Film School (IADT), Emma is the 2025 Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year for her film Abhaile.
From filming on her mother’s phone to walking the stage at Troy Studios, Emma’s journey is a perfect example of how passion and persistence lead to success.
Here is her story, in her own words.
WHO YOU ARE
My name is Emma Whelan. I’m from Finglas, Co. Dublin, and I’m currently a film student at the NFS, IADT. I’m honoured to say I won Young Filmmaker of the Year 2025 for my short film Abhaile, which I wrote, directed, and starred in! I upload frequently to my film-focused account on Instagram: @cinem.m.a, with updates on everything I work on.
HOW IT STARTED
I’ve always been creating projects no matter the scale, whether it be on my mam’s phone before I had one myself, or on the first laptop I got for Christmas. I would regularly edit little videos and vlogs and then upload them to YouTube to share with friends and family.
When I was 17, I started exploring film more as I knew I wanted to pursue it after I graduated secondary the following year, but really had no idea where to start. I had met a lot of friends that summer through a portfolio-based course with the same ambitions, and from working on their projects I had been hearing a lot about Fresh Film Festival—I decided I may as well give it a go.
In the height of 6th year, I submitted my first short film to Fresh, Home for Dinner, working with little to no budget using a Canon G7X Mark III, the audio recorder on my mobile phone, and of course the free, beloved DaVinci Resolve. Home for Dinner follows two estranged siblings mending their relationship through small talk as they use their kitchen at the same time. I got the idea from co-existing in our kitchen at home with my brothers and then upped the dramatics for the sake of film.
THE FRESH FILM MOMENT
It’s hard to beat winning the competition with Abhaile in 2025 as a favourite memory; it was absolutely incredible being able to walk the stage—again! The year prior I had starred in the winning film IVY by Fiachra Cotter O’Culacháin, and being able to walk up to the stage after it was announced with the rest of the cast and crew in Troy Studios was an amazing experience.
Even just the build-up right before Abhaile was announced as the winner, with the hosts, Justine and Faye, hinting at who it was as I connected the dots, was unreal. I’m so happy to have been able to experience it with my fabulous team. As cool as winning was, I’ve also made so many close friends from taking part in Fresh and have met many extremely talented like-minded people. It really has just been a rewarding experience from start to finish.
WHERE YOU ARE NOW
I’m currently a film student at the NFS, IADT! I’m really enjoying the course and constantly creating with my peers. I’m still working on my own projects when I can and finding my way onto other people’s sets one way or another.
At the moment, I’m really looking forward to my short film Translation premiering at the Lighthouse Cinema as part of the Dublin Film Festival. I had the opportunity to make this film thanks to Fresh Film Festival’s ‘Hothouse Program’ funding and supporting young independent filmmakers—another fabulous opportunity they have for young people.
FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
You’re never going to feel 100% certain of anything, especially with the likes of film. I highly encourage everyone to check out Fresh and the opportunities available when they can, as you never know what good can come from it and how far it can take you!
I think it’s important to get your name out there, to show you have both a passion and a voice for film. Because when and what will your definition of perfect be? When will you reach that? It’s scary sharing something when you feel it’s not perfect, but we are often our own biggest enemy. When sharing with a wider audience, you’ll find it may be perfect for some, or even better, they’ll have some constructive criticism to share so you grow and learn!
I’d tell my younger self to have more faith in herself! I didn’t have much hope for Abhaile or previous submissions, having slaved over them in post-production and them not turning out exactly as I wanted. But in the end, they were well received, so you never really know until you actually do show an audience.
QUICK FIRE
An inspiration: Natalie Lynn. She uploads incredibly cinematic and beautiful videos to YouTube about her life experiences. Her editing style alone is enough to draw me in.
The next challenge: The awkward limbo many filmmakers my age are in, where we’re kind of too old for youth festivals but not exactly at the standard yet of larger festivals.
