America's first Irish language film festival will take place in New York next week, with the New York Irish Center hosting a three-day programme in partnership with TG4.
The festival, titled Fís Nua | New Vision, runs from Thursday 19 February to Saturday 21 February 2026 at the New York Irish Centre in Long Island City, Queens. Organisers say the line-up includes seven recently produced Irish language features and shorts, with all screenings presented with English subtitles.
New York Irish Centre executive director George C. Heslin said the festival is intended to welcome "film lovers of all backgrounds" while also reflecting a growing Irish-speaking community in the city.
The programme begins with a festival kick-off panel discussion and reception, moderated by Irish language radio contributor Caoimhe Nic Giollarnáith, focusing on the role of media in the Irish language revival and TG4's influence.
Opening night screening An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl), directed by Colm Bairéad, takes place on Friday, 20 February at 7pm. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2023, and the festival event listing says the screening will be preceded by a short retrospective on Bairéad’s road to the Oscar nomination.
Saturday’s programme includes a children’s afternoon (2pm to 4pm) featuring episodes from TG4’s animated series Lí Ban, followed by Song of the Sea from Cartoon Saloon, directed by Tomm Moore.
The closing night double bill (Saturday 21 February at 7pm) pairs Méabh O’Hare’s documentary Ag Taisteal Siar (Travelling Back), which explores the musical heritage of Ireland’s Traveller community, with the New York-shot Irish language short An Chathair Mhór (The Big City) by Cian O’Connor.
TG4 commissioning editor Proinsias Ní Ghráinne said the collaboration reflects TG4’s aim of making Irish language content available to audiences globally, and expressed hope the festival will help build creative links between Ireland and US film-making communities.
