GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival and the National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama have announced the six industry mentors who will provide a year-long mentorship to the starGAZE 2025 mentees.

Designed to provide a platform for LGBTQIA talent through an internationally recognised film festival, the six starGAZE participants took part in a Lab Day during GAZE 2025 featuring artists and filmmakers Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor (Dreamers), Colin Thornton and Darren Thornton (Four Mothers), as well as Donncha Gilmore and Liath Hannon (Girls & Boys), as well as access to the festival including events and talks with filmmakers such as Carmen Emmi (Plainclothes), Travis Alabanza (Burgerz), Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese (Lesbian Space Princess), Angelo Madsen (A Body To Live In) and Charlene Lydon (Storyhouse). The next stage of the starGAZE programme includes receiving mentorship from established industry figures. 

The starGAZE mentees and their industry mentors are: 

  • Billy Buckley (producer) - mentored by Evan Horan (Lesbian Lines, Oddity, Whitetail)
  • Eleanor Rogers (writer/director) - mentored by Colin Thornton (Four Mothers, A Date For Mad Mary)
  • Jack Warren (writer/director/producer) - mentored by Damian McCarthy (Hokum, Oddity, Caveat) 
  • Lewis Doherty (director/producer) - mentored by Reece Cargan (A Night Like This, Where Dragons Live)
  • Stephen T. Lally (writer/director) - mentored by Jim Archer (Brian and Charles, Big Boys) 
  • Venus Patel (writer/director) - mentored by Prano Bailey-Bond (Censor)

Commenting, GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival and starGAZE collaborators, Evan Horan and Sam Ahern, said: “This year’s grouping of participants and mentors demonstrates the breadth and individuality of Ireland’s rising LGBTQIA talent, and the level of support from renowned Irish and International filmmakers who wish to see the next generation succeed. We are incredibly proud of the work of this year’s participants, and grateful to the National Talent Academy for their commitment to platforming LGBTQIA talent.”

Applications for starGAZE 2026 will open in April 2026. Sign up to the NTA newsletter to stay up to date.

 

starGAZE is supported by the National Talent Academy Film & TV Drama, an initiative of Screen Ireland and managed by Ardán.

ABOUT GAZE

Established in 1992, the festival's mission is to advance equality and promote the visibility of LGBTQIA experiences by showcasing and celebrating these narratives on screen. Formerly known as the Dublin Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, GAZE International Film Festival celebrates LGBTQIA storytelling. Our exciting programme of films and events engages filmmakers and audiences in a vibrant social experience. GAZE annual film programmes thematically explore the many facets of LGBTQIA lives worldwide, expressly including films which deal with the difficulties facing our LGBTQIA community around the world and at home.  

For more information, visit gaze.ie