The Galway Film Fleadh 2026 Highlights Are Here

Ireland's leading film festival will once again showcase a gorgeous selection of Irish and international cinema, featuring world premieres, acclaimed filmmakers, emerging talent and a vibrant programme of industry events through the Galway Film Fair.

Festival Programmer Charlene Lydon says that this year's programme "reflects the breadth and ambition of contemporary filmmaking, with a particular focus on stories connected through music, identity, resilience and community."

She also shared that this year the programme will shine a spotlight on Estonia as its Country of Focus, presenting a curated programme of contemporary Estonian features, documentaries and shorts.

Read on for the first films announced in their 2026 programme.

Becoming Roosi

This emotive, provocative and funny documentary follows young girl Roosi from throughout her adolescence. Having grown up as the child of an environmental activist, she struggles to cope with climate grief and guilt as she moves from childhood to adulthood.

Roosi tries to find her own identity and place in the world, revealing refreshing wisdom about contemporary life through the eyes of a generation coming of age in an increasingly fluid reality.

Finnegan’s Foursome

This year’s Closing Film will be the European premiere of Edward Burns’ Finnegan’s Foursome, which was shot on location along the west coast of Ireland.

Two rival brothers and their adult children travel to Ireland to scatter their late father’s ashes. What begins as a clash of egos, old grudges, and comic misadventures, turns into a week of unlikely bonding and hard-won warmth.

Almost With You

Almost With You takes place in the remote Australian coastal town of Albany, where touring Irish musician Brendan Kelly (Declan O’Rourke) is deep in grief over the recent death of his brother. Through a shared love of music, he finds community and connection with the local people. 

Written and directed by Irish-born Australian Adam Morris, featuring songs by Declan O’Rourke, with additional score by Luka Bloom.

Learning to Breathe Under Water

Learning To Breathe Under Water follows eight-year-old Leo after the death of his mother. His best friend is a massive shark that his dad (Rory Kinnear), an artist, built into the roof of their home.

Leo confides in the shark to process his peculiar new reality until a spirited au pair (Academy Award nominee Maria Baklava) challenges him and his grieving dad to open themselves up to the wild, wonderful mess of real life.

The film was shot on location in Galway, and the Fleadh will mark its Irish premiere.

Try!

Try! follows four Irish rugby players who defy all expectations on their journey to the most inclusive and competitive World Cup you’ve never seen.

Mixed ability rugby is 15-a-side, full contact rugby played by people with and without disabilities, all with the dream of lifting the trophy.

The Galway Film Fleadh runs from 7-12th July. View the full programme and events schedyle on 23rd June at galwayfilmfleadh.com.