EU & MEDIA Film News September 2026

Útóipe Cheilteach (Celtic Utopia) | IFI, Lighthouse, Triskel, nationwide 4 September

Útóipe Cheilteach (Celtic Utopia) is a feature documentary. After 100 years of independence, a bold new wave of young Irish artists redefine folk music and reflect over the impact of their colonial history. Supported by European Co-development awarded to MDEMC Sweden and Plainsong Films, Ireland.

Written and directed by Dennis Harvey & Lars Lovén, Celtic Utopia is a feature documentary that tells the story of a new Ireland, following a resurgent wave of alternative folk and traditional musicians who are making music 'to scare priests and politicians.'

The film features performances and appearances from artists such as The Mary Wallopers, Negro Impacto, The Deadlians, Jinx Lennon, Poor Creature, Branwen, Lankum, Naoise Mac Cathmhaoil, Rising Damp, Young Spencer, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Róis, Post Punk Podge, Susan Hughes, Tadhg Mulligan, Alfie Mulligan, Múlú, Niamh Moriarty, Cathail O’Mhaoil, Summer Newman, Eimear Níc Ionnrachtaigh, and Eoghan Ó Garmaile.

• Irish Film Institute, Dublin: there will be Q&A following the 18.10 screening on Friday 4 September with director Dennis Harvey and Seán Fitzgerald (The Deadlians).
• Lighthouse Dublin
• Triskel Cork: 13 to 16 September

Bitter Christmas (Amarga Navidad) | Lighthouse, IFI, Triskel

The film has two alternating stories. One about Elsa, an advertising director, in 2004, during a long weekend in December. The second takes place in 2026 and is about a screenwriter and director who is writing a script that is the story of Elsa, her boyfriend Bonifacio, and her friends Patricia and Natalia. In his latest film Pedro Almodóvar blends personal drama with a metafictional reflection on the creative process. Supported by Creative Europe.

IFI Documentary Festival 2026 | 23 - 27 September 2026

The IFI Documentary Festival 2026 showcases a diverse range of topics told with candour, artistry and a profound humanity. This year’s festival will host a wide selection of guests as well as in-depth Q&As and panel discussions.

• Anne Crilly, artist, activist and director, will join Margo Harkin, herself a documentarian of considerable renown who has spent more than four decades documenting social and political injustice and Trish McAdam, artist and filmmaker to discuss women and political filmmaking in a conversation hosted by curator Sara Greavu.
• Pete Muller, director of Bucks Harbor, the Opening Gala presentation, will take part in a post-screening Q&A.
• English filmmaker and producer Sophie Fiennes, renowned for blending observational documentary with staged performance will participate in a Q&A following Acting.
• Ukrainian filmmaker, and human rights activist Alisa Kovalenko explores resilience, justice and the human impact of war in Traces; Iryna Dovhan, survivor-advocate and Chair of SEMA Ukraine, whose story features in the film, will join Alisa for the Q&A.
• Acclaimed director Jeanie Finlay presents the Irish premiere of All Rivers Spill Their Stories To The Sea. Finlay will also participate on the IFI Spotlight panel, which will provide invaluable industry insights and discussion on issues facing documentarians.
• IFI Documentary Festival 2026 Programme.

My Father's Island | IFI@Home

Directed by Vladimir de Fontenay. Starring Swann Arlaud, Woody Norman, and Ruaridh Mollica. In an effort to reconnect with his estranged father, 13-year-old Roy agrees to spend a year on a remote Island deep in the Norwegian fjords. What starts as a chance to rebuild their relationship descends into a test of survival as they face the harsh realities of their environment and confront their unresolved turmoil.