Foyle Film Festival

16/06/2026

🇮🇪 🚴‍♂️ 🎶 Join Oscar-shortlisted director Nick Kelly at a special Q&A screening of his new documentary feature 'The Song Cycle', where he will also stay on for some post screening music! 😃

Featuring one of Ireland’s most acclaimed musical talents — and former member of famed 90s band The Fat Lady Sings — 'The Song Cycle' shares the story of Nick's grand journey... cycling from Ireland to perform at the 2022 Glastonbury Festival! 🎸🤘😎

A road movie, a musical — and an engaging, funny and moving meditation on art, mortality and friendship — 'The Song Cycle' is Nick's first documentary project.

Thanks to the support from Screen Ireland and access > CINEMA for helping make this event possible 🙏

🚲 The Song Cycle (with Q&A + Music)
🗓️ Thursday 18 June, 7pm
📍 Nerve Centre, Derry

👉 Browse Reel Lives cinema programme and book tickets: https://foylefilmfestival.org/whats-on

What's on Derry Strabane | Film Hub N.I. | Northern Ireland Screen

16/06/2026

🎬 💫 🙌 We enjoyed playing host to a special showcase of wonderful shorts based on scripts developed through the BFI Film Academy Story Development Intensives delivered by Nerve Centre, which marks 4 years of local artists and craftspeople receiving such incredible support 🙏

✨ Among the four shorts screened, the showcase saw the premiere of the newly-produced 'Calling Gloria', a heartfelt comedy-drama short produced through Northern Ireland Screen's Skills Accelerator programme, and supported by the best of local talent and industry professionals.

It was a lovely occasion to bring back some quality productions we recently screened at our 38th festival in November 2025. Congratulations to the teams behind 'Locker', 'The Milkman' and 'Hi Jack High Jinks' for bringing such fantastic displays of craft to the big screen 👏😁

Lastly, we'd like to publicly acknowledge the efforts and commitment our very own Head of Film Eavan King for helping make all of these opportunities happen, and allowing aspiring filmmakers to participate in an invaluable learning experience that has benefited their skillset enormously 💪😎

📢 That's a wrap! On to the next shoot! ❤️

Supported by the BFI Film Academy, awarding funding.

11/06/2026

🇮🇪 🚴‍♂️ 🎶 Join filmmaker Nick Kelly as he shares the story of his grand journey... cycling from Ireland to perform at the 2022 Glastonbury Festival! 🎸🤘😎

🎤 As former frontman of famed 90s band The Fat Lady Sings, Nick will also perform live as well as joining a post-screening Q&A session in an intimate evening featuring one of Ireland’s most acclaimed musical talents 🙌

A road movie, a musical — and an engaging, funny and moving meditation on art, mortality and friendship — 'The Song Cycle' is Nick's first documentary project.

Thanks to the support from Screen Ireland and access > CINEMA for helping make this event possible 🙏

🚲 The Song Cycle (with Q&A + Music)
🗓️ Thursday 18 June, 7pm
📍 Nerve Centre, Derry

👉 Browse Reel Lives cinema programme and book tickets: https://foylefilmfestival.org/whats-on

What's on Derry Strabane | Film Hub N.I. | Northern Ireland Screen

09/06/2026

🎨 🤔 Steven Soderbergh’s latest comedy brings to question the value of art — does it reside in personal expression? Cultural longevity? Financial worth?

👨‍🎨 Ian McKellen stars as Julian Sklar, a former mainstay of the London art scene who has now drifted into a cluttered, self- imposed seclusion. His two estranged children enlist a young painter and sometimes-forger (Michaela Coel), to pose as a prospective assistant so they can acquire a fabled series of Julian's unfinished canvases 🫰🤑

🖼️ The Christophers
🗓️ Wednesday 17 June, 7pm
📍 Nerve Centre, Derry

👉 Browse Reel Lives film programme and book tickets: https://foylefilmfestival.org/whats-on

What's on Derry Strabane | Film Hub N.I. | Northern Ireland Screen

05/06/2026

👁️🦻💙📽️ Our 2026 film programme offers a number of screenings tailored to audiences with various accessibility needs — including autism-friendly shows and audio-described titles 😊

🌟 Little Amélie (English language version) | Autism-friendly screening
🗓️ Saturday 13 June, 2pm
📍 Nerve Centre, Derry

Presented with higher-than-usual lighting and lower-than-usual sound (and an audience that are free to move around), 'Little Amélie' is a tender, poignant and visually stunning story about the healing power of human connection.

🌟 Deaf
🗓️ Saturday 20 June, 2pm
📍 Nerve Centre, Derry

Shown with descriptive subtitles, 'Deaf' follows a young couple, Ángela (who is deaf, played by deaf actress — and the director's sister — Miriam Garlo) and her hearing partner Héctor, who are expecting a baby.

👉 Browse Reel Lives film programme and book tickets: https://foylefilmfestival.org/whats-on

What's on Derry Strabane | Film Hub N.I. | What's on Derry Strabane

03/06/2026

☘️ 🏙️ Set in a gritty 1980s Dublin city neighbourhood, 'Spilt Milk' skilfully weaves a child’s-eye portrait of harsh city environments with charming nostalgia for the lost adventures of youth.

🔍 😎 11-year-old Bobby (Cillian Sullivan, 'Blue Moon') idolises Kojak and runs a pretend private eye agency with his best friend. However, when Bobby’s rebellious older brother goes missing, their investigations turn chillingly real — leading them into a secret, lies, and danger far beyond what children of that age are ready to face ⚠️

🇮🇪 🏆 Nominated for four IFTAs and starring 'House of Guinness's Danielle Galligan, 'Spilt Milk' presents a strong debut from director Brian Durnin that features superb performances from its young leads 👏

🥛 Spilt Milk
⏰ Tuesday 16 June, 7pm
📍 Nerve Centre, Derry

👉 Full Reel Lives film programme: https://foylefilmfestival.org/whats-on

What's on Derry Strabane | Film Hub N.I. | Northern Ireland Screen

02/06/2026

We at Foyle Film Festival are saddened to hear of the death of Holocaust survivor and human rights campaigner Tomi Reichental, who visited the festival on various occasions over the years and inspired many to make peace with the past and to learn from it.

We are incredibly thankful to have known Tomi and for his generosity during his numerous visits to Derry.

Read more below:

Foyle Film Festival is saddened to learn of the death of Holocaust survivor and human rights campaigner Tomi Reichental.

01/06/2026

🎬☝️ It's finally week 1 of 2026 at Nerve Centre! 🤩💙

Our opening titles feature a selection of modern drama — both local and international — as well as a special showcase of shorts and our first Cinematic Breakfast of the season!

🇳🇱 Midwinter Break
⏰ Tuesday 2 June, 7pm

🇳🇬 My Father's Shadow
⏰ Wednesday 3 June, 7pm

🇵🇸 All That's Left of You
⏰ Thursday 4 June, 7pm

👣 Crossings: Pixida Showcase
⏰ Friday 5 June, 7pm

🤠 Giant (Cinematic Breakfast)
⏰ Saturday 6 June, 11am

🗓️ Reel Lives runs from 2–27 June at Nerve Centre .

👉 Browse full programme and book tickets: https://foylefilmfestival.org/whats-on

What's on Derry Strabane | Northern Ireland Screen | Film Hub N.I.

31/05/2026

🔎 Reel Lives... real stories 📚

Justice, journeys and creative expression give shape to the documentaries screening as part of our 2026 Reel Lives cinema programme.

Dive beneath the surface of both the familiar and the foreign...

💙 Reel Lives
🗓️ Tuesday 2 June – Saturday 27 June

Book and browse full programme: https://foylefilmfestival.org/whats-on

Nerve Centre | Northern Ireland Screen | Film Hub N.I. | What's on Derry Strabane Derry City & Strabane District Council | Communities NI | HERE for Arts & Culture

30/05/2026

⏰ The Regular Deadline to enter the Light in Motion Short Film Competition is Monday 8 June 2026 ⏰

Foyle Film Festival is Northern Ireland's only Oscar® and BAFTA accredited short film competition, showcasing a diverse selection of homegrown and international talent. More than just a competition, it’s a vibrant gathering of directors, filmmakers, and creatives — a place where industry connections are made, stories are shared, and an inspiring sense of community thrives.

Academy Award® qualifying in:
☘️ Best Irish Short
🌍 Best International Short
🎨 Best Animated Short:

BAFTA qualifying in:
🏆 Best British Short
🏆 Best British Animated Short

🟡 Regular deadline: Monday 8 June 2026
🟠 Late deadline: Monday 10 August 2026
🔴 Extended deadline: Monday 7 September 2026

Sponsored by City of Derry Crystal ❤️

👉 Submit your short film: https://foylefilmfestival.org/awards

Film Hub N.I. Northern Ireland Screen FilmFreeway Festival Formula