BASED in Limerick, the Catalyst International Film Festival is set to host its sixth edition on Thursday April 3 to Saturday April 5 presenting a diverse programme of films, panel discussions, workshops, and networking events at various venues across the city.
The festival champions under-represented voices both on and off-screen. Its ambassador is Limerick native and Academy Award© and Tony Award nominee Ruth Negga.
Festival founder and director Dr Susan Liddy stated: “The festival has gone from strength to strength since our launch in 2020. It is wonderful to be announcing our sixth programme! We have an action-packed few days ahead, and I am particularly proud to present the world premiere of ‘Boobs’, which won the inaugural Short Documentary Bursary Award last year. Championing diversity and inclusion is key to Catalyst’s mission, and ‘Boobs’ is a bold, intimate short documentary that reclaims the narrative surrounding women’s bodies.”
Workshops
A dedicated student programme on Thursday April 3 will foster awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion in filmmaking. Highlights include a masterclass on shooting a scene with director Nell Hensey, videographer Orlaith Martin, and actor Síofra Ní Eilí, as well as a selection of short films curated for younger audiences. The day concludes with an industry panel discussion and the NextGen Perspectives Award presentation.
Catalyst is also launching the inaugural Lab for Emerging Screenwriters from April 4 to 6, supported by Coimisiún na Meán. Ten promising screenwriters, selected from Catalyst Short Screenplay Award entrants, will take part in an immersive two-day workshop to refine their scripts.
The lab will be led by script editors Lena Byrne and Sam Atwell, alongside producers Fiona Kinsella, Leeona Duff, and Jennifer Davidson, Chair of the Writers Guild of Ireland.
Short Films
The festival’s short film programme on April 4 and 5 at Belltable features documentary, international, and Irish shorts, as well as a family-friendly selection. Curated by Celine Roustan and Vanessa Gildea, this year’s programme celebrates personal testimony as a force for change, highlighting resilience and diverse storytelling styles, from dark comedy to psychological thriller.
On Friday April 4, ‘Shaping the Future in Screenwriting: Industry Day’, in collaboration with the National Talent Academy for Film and TV Drama, will feature panel discussions, Q&As, and workshops on pitching and writing short films. Special guests include actor Jade Jordan, screenwriters Jimmy Smallhorne and Sinead Collopy, and script editor Lena Byrne. Award-winning writer-director Paul Fraser will host a masterclass discussing his collaboration with Shane Meadows and his upcoming film Saipan.
Panel Discussions
Saturday features Raising Films Ireland and industry experts discussing barriers for parents and carers in the screen industry. Additional panels explore inclusivity in crew recruitment and the transformative power of documentary filmmaking, with speakers including Ciaran Cassidy, Sinead O’Brien, and Vanessa Gildea.
Feature Films
Two feature films will be screened: Fréwaka (Friday April 4), a psychological horror rooted in Irish folklore directed by Aislinn Clarke, and Housewife of the Year (Saturday April 5), a documentary by Ciaran Cassidy examining Ireland’s treatment of women through a surreal televised competition. Housewife of the Year will also be subtitled in Ukrainian as part of Catalyst’s 2025 Outreach Programme.
Before Housewife of the Year, the festival will present the world premiere of ‘Boobs’, recipient of the €10,000 Catalyst International Film Festival Bursary. Directed by Nicola Leddy and produced by Anna Rodgers and Zlata Filipović, this project highlights women’s voices in filmmaking, from cinematography to music and editing.
The festival’s 2025 awards will be presented throughout the event, including the National Student Film Award (€1,000) in association with TUS Digital Arts and Media Department, Limerick. The Catalyst Short Documentary Bursary Award 2025 will offer €10,000 to support a short documentary exploring equality, diversity, and inclusion, with the recipient announced at the Awards Reception on Saturday April 5.
The award categories include:
Best Irish Short Film
Best International Short Film
Best Documentary Short Film
First Time Filmmaker Award
National Student Film Award
Short Screenplay Award
Catalyst International Film Festival Short Documentary Award Bursary
The festival’s growing reputation is reflected in its judging panel, featuring Kirsten Sheridan, Richie Conroy, Neasa Hardiman, Melanie Iredale, Cara Holmes, Ruth Meehan, and Kwaku Fortune.
The Catalyst International Film Festival takes place from April 3 to 5 across Limerick City. The full programme and tickets are available at catalystinternationalfilmfestival.com/
