FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

IFTA AWARDS 2026

Fran the Man

Competing in the FAI Cup for the first time should have been St Peters Celtic's finest hour, but when blundering assistant manager Fran Costello learns that some of his players have taken a bribe to fix the match, he turns detective in the hope of catching the rats. For someone who has used football to shy away from life, Fran is being catapulted headfirst into all it has to offer.

Director: Stephen Bradley
Writer: Richie Conroy
Producers: Collie McCarthy

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?

Stephen Bradley (Director): “"I watched Richie Conroy’s work on the series and was captivated by what he had achieved as the writer and director. The series had a charm, and it really centred on the character of Fran, brought to life so perfectly by Darragh Humphreys. Darragh is Fran, and no one else could play that character quite like he does. So, it was Richie’s generosity in suggesting I direct the feature film that really drew me in. Working with Collie, who I’ve known for a long time, was also incredibly appealing. Collie actually reached out at the beginning of the second lockdown to ask if I’d be interested in this project. I remember saying, “Great! Let’s do it! When do we start?” And he laughed and said, “In about three years,” which is more or less what happened."

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

Richie Conroy (Writer): “"A lot of TV characters have made the leap to feature films – like Alan Partridge, David Brent. For a feature film, you need a character who can carry an audience on a journey, and we always knew Fran was strong enough for that. It was just about finding a story that would justify a feature film. I’d always loved the idea of exploring Fran in a feature-length format, and now we’re here - the journey has been incredibly fulfilling."

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

Collie McCarthy (Producer): "Darragh Humphreys reprises his role as Fran Costello, the heart of the film. Darragh is not only hilarious but has a deep understanding of Fran and the world he comes from. His warmth and comedic timing make him perfect for the role, and his energy was contagious on set. We surrounded him with a fantastic mix of Irish comedy legends, rising stars, and even some sports personalities, all of whom brought their own spark to the film."

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

Stephen: "We hope that IFTA members will recognise and embrace this world we've created, as it mirrors their own in some way. 'Fran the Man' is not just a football film; it is a celebration of community, identity, and a shared passion that connects people from all over... all traits shared by our own film community and the stories we tell."