IFTA Redbreast Unhidden Short Film Evening

IFTA was delighted to host the IFTA Redbreast Short Film Evening, celebrating the continued success of Irish short filmmaking. The evening featured a special screening of Nostalgie, winner of the 2026 IFTA Redbreast Unhidden Short Film Award, followed by an engaging Q&A with Director Kathryn Ferguson, Producer Marie-Thérèse Mackle, and Editor Mick Mahon.

Moderated by Producer Nathan Griffin, the discussion explored the origins of the award-winning short, adapted from Wendy Erskine's acclaimed short story from her collection Dance Move. The panel reflected on the journey of bringing the story to the screen, working with an exceptional cast and crew, including Aidan Gillen in the lead role of Lord Drew Lord Haig, and shared fascinating behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the film.

At our IFTA Redbreast Short Film Event, we caught up with Director Kathryn Ferguson about the incredible cast & crew behind the 2026 IFTA Redbreast Unhidden Short Film Winner, Nostalgie!✨#IFTA pic.twitter.com/kZ9Zp6DRT2

— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) June 12, 2026

Concluding the discussion, Director Katheryn Ferguson reflected on what she sees as a particularly exciting moment for Irish storytelling across literature and screen:

"What's so exciting across the whole island at the minute here is the stories and the books that are being turned into films and series. I'm so thrilled, being from the North, and the amount of work that's coming out from our stories, and from younger writers as well, and then them being turned into these brilliant adaptations. It feels like a really exciting moment right now for both film and literature from this island, so it makes a lot of sense to combine them."

To round off the evening, guests gathered for a networking drinks reception, where they were served a selection of exceptional Redbreast cocktails.