GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival and the National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama today announced the 2025 starGAZE recipients, a professional development initiative to support emerging LGBTQIA filmmakers, returning for its second edition.
Billy Buckley, Eleanor Rogers, Jack Warren, Lewis Doherty, Stephen T Lally and Venus Patel were announced as the six filmmakers who will be platformed during the 2025 festival, as well as access to talks, screenings and networking events and receiving mentorship throughout the following year.
Designed to provide a platform for LGBTQIA talent through an internationally recognised film festival, the recipients will have written, produced or directed a short film which has screened at a recognised Irish or international film festival within the last three years, and be working towards a debut feature or television/online project. The initiative offers access to Irish and international creatives at a crucial point in their careers, with the ambition to increase the number of Irish LGBTQIA stories on screen and showcase the next generation of Irish queer and trans voices.
The six starGAZE recipients will receive full access to GAZE 2025, a Lab Day during the festival and year-long mentorship with thanks to National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama. Industry speakers and mentors who have previously taken part in starGAZE include Andrew Haigh, Peaches, Rory Fleck Byrne, Félix Maritaud, John Butler, Kate Dolan, Kate McCullough, Stacey Gregg, Amrou Al-Kadhi and Louise Weard.
“Over the last year, we have seen our starGAZE alumni go from strength to strength. Welcoming in this year’s participants, we are excited to champion a new cohort of filmmakers and platform the wealth of diverse, exciting LGBTQIA talent in Ireland and the richness that their stories bring to the screen. Thanks to annual support from the National Talent Academies, who are committed to developing starGAZE with us, this year’s programme will allow more opportunities to engage the participants with mentors, filmmakers and the LGBTQIA filmmaking community. Creating vital connections and inspirational experiences that will support these artists as they continue to flourish within the industry." - Greg Thorpe, Sam Ahern & Evan Horan, GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival
"starGAZE continues to be such an important and exciting initiative. It is a vital space where LGBTQIA filmmakers are supported by their peers, not only in developing their craft but also in forging meaningful industry connections and building sustainable careers. The NTA for Film & TV Drama is proud to once again partner with GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival to champion this new group of talented filmmakers at this pivotal moment in their creative journeys and careers.” – Eibh O’Brien-Collins, Programme Director, National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama.
GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival 2025 will take place in Dublin at the Irish Film Institute and Light House Cinema from the 29th July to 4th August 2025. Find out more about the GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival at www.gaze.ie
National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama, an initiative of Screen Ireland and managed by Ardán.