Two young Cavan creatives were celebrating at Ireland's Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards - part of the Fresh International Film Festival.
Liam Raymond (18) was named Ireland's Young Filmmaker of the Year 2026 for his film Deep Where The Cailleach Lives, selected from more than 1,500 entries nationwide.
And, just a day earlier, his younger brother Fionn Barra Raymond (12) was awarded Ireland’s Junior Young Filmmaker of the Year for his film The Battle of Time.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the event which could be called the Young Oscars of Irish film, the awards are recognised as one of the leading platforms internationally for young filmmakers.
More than 300 young filmmakers aged between 12 and 18 attended the ceremony at Dublin's Mansion House, hosted by three-time IYFTY winner Seán Treacy and comedian/ actor Faye Shortt, with Meg Hughes covering red carpet arrivals.
Dublin schools were strongly represented among the winners. Students from CBS James Street were awarded Best School for their film Birdy, a story centred on a young girl whose ambitions are challenged as she tries to find her voice.
Dublin was also represented in the RTÉ 60 Second Award, which went to What Goes On Behind by students from Le Chéile Secondary School. The stop-motion animation explores the hidden struggles people carry and was recognised for its clarity and emotional impact within a short format.
Among the national category winners, Alexander Hollingsworth received the Best Director Award for Fisher Boy, a film exploring themes of isolation and connection, praised for its sensitive and assured direction.
Jayne Foley, Founder and Director of Fresh Film, said: "After almost 30 years of Fresh Film, it is incredible to see the level of talent coming through. These finalists represent a new generation of filmmakers who are skilled, ambitious and ready to be part of the wider screen industry."
Representatives from supporting organisations, including RTÉ, Animation Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Bow Street Academy and The Radharc Trust, were in attendance, highlighting the strong industry support behind the awards.
Young Filmmaker Awards
- Ireland's Young Filmmaker of the Year 2026 (1st): Deep Where The Cailleach Lives – Liam Raymond (Cavan)
- Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2026 (2nd): The Volunteer – Charlie Beimers (Down)
- Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2026 (3rd): So-n-so’s Frozen Frog Museum – Hugo Fearon (Belfast)
All the winners
- Best School: Birdy – CBS James Street (Dublin)
- Best Group: Pricked – Stagecraft Youth Theatre, Clonmel, (Tipperary)
- Best Cinematography: What’s The Job – Alana Gaston (Antrim)
- Best Screenplay: Possessed By You – Sonny Santiago (Wicklow)
- Best Director: Fisher Boy – Alexander Hollingsworth (Dublin)
- Best Comedy: Slasher – Liam Donohoe Dunne (Roscommon)
- Best Concept: Shattered Reality – Eoin Brennan (Antrim)
- Best Art Direction: 12 Scissors – Limerick Youth Theatre (Limerick)
- Radharc Award: Life in Listowel – Airt Lyons & Jack Carney (Kerry)
- RTÉ Factual: Embers of the Damned – Rachel Emily McIlhagger (Antrim)
- RTÉ 60 Second: What Goes On Behind – Le Chéile Secondary School (Dublin)
- Animation Ireland Award: The Volunteer – Charlie Beimers (Down)
- Bow Street Performance Award: Abbie Burke – Pricked (Tipperary)
Fresh Film and the Ireland's Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards are supported by The Arts Council, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Omniplex Cinema Group, Coimisiún na Meán, Limerick City and County Council, RTÉ, Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board, The Radharc Trust, Animation Ireland, Screen Producers Ireland and Bow Street Academy.
