FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

IFTA AWARDS 2026

Dreamtown

Mickey Richards, an aging, failed rockstar, who still lives like he's in his 20s, sets out to reconnect with his estranged, musically gifted son, but his desperate attempts to impress him threaten to push them even further apart. A rock & roll movie set against the backdrop of Dublin, with synth, grime, and lots of leather.

Director: Steven Mckenna
Writer: Steven Mckenna

Filmmaker Q&A

Q: What was the genesis of this film, and how did it evolve over the course of development to production and completion?

Steven McKenna (Filmmaker): “The backstory for the character was inspired by my father's time in the music industry when he played bass guitar in the band Shaine. When he was 30, I was born, and he decided to put his dreams aside and raise a family. I cannot imagine that this was an easy choice, and it was this idea of not fulfilling a dream that gave birth to the story of Dreamtown. Throughout development and production, this theme of failure was at the centre, and it was important that we did not sugar coat it.

Because the character is so self centred and in denial about his failures, I wanted the style of the film to reflect this, showing both the excitement of going out on the town contrasted with his mundane everyday life. It was a challenge to have an audience empathise with an otherwise unremarkable character, so including small moments that revealed his humanity was important. Dreamtown was self financed, so we were limited in what we could do, and we made the decision to cover scenes with as few setups as possible, sometimes even with just one angle."

Q: What did you feel was the most fulfilling element of working on this film?

Steven: “I think the most fulfilling element of Dreamtown for me was the friendships that were made on set. Each movie presents its own challenges, and as this was self financed, we had many of them. I have to commend the crew, because without them the film would not have been possible. Everyone brought their best selves to set, and the whole experience each day on set was extremely enjoyable. Dreamtown is a story that is very close to my heart, and seeing everyone help bring this dream to life was hugely fulfilling. I recall times when I was on set and couldn't stop laughing during takes, so naturally they kicked me out of the room. Now, when I hear how the story connects with people after they see it makes the whole journey worthwhile."

Q: To what extent was your on-screen talent vital to the success of the film?

Steven: “Because the film is so character focused, I worked really hard with the actors to get the performances right, and I think it shows in the final product. We did around three weeks of rehearsals to get to the core of each character and find the truth within the text. For the lead character, Mickey, played by Anthony Murphy, I wanted to make him as human and real as possible—someone who is struggling with the fact that his life is a complete failure, with his only hope being a reconnection with his son. I would say that nearly everything was in service of the talent, to ensure that they could tell the story as effectively as possible. It was also very important to achieve the right balance between the cast, with traits that complemented each other. In the case of the character Gina, it was essential that she had a strong energy that could match Mickey. For Alan, his son, it was important that he displayed an element of vulnerability."

Q: What does it mean to have your work acknowledged by your peers in the Irish film community and showcased at the IFTA Awards?

Niall: “It is a huge honor to have anyone enjoy the film and acknowledge the work. With so much great work being produced in Ireland at the moment, the fact that our indie film can resonate with people is a major achievement for everyone involved. I always enjoy how the final shot of the film raises questions about its meaning, and I deliberately leave it ambiguous, as what the audience imagines is sometimes more interesting than the intended meaning. Making a film is very daunting, and there is always the chance that it might not work or that a feeling you are trying to convey does not connect. So when it does, it makes everything worthwhile. I think everyone involved is really proud of the film we made."