GAZE International LGBTQIA+ Film Festival announces mentors for inaugural starGAZE

Six emerging LGBTQIA Irish filmmakers to receive mentoring from industry professionals including John Butler, Kate McCullough, Stacey Gregg, Kate Dolan, Amrou Al-Kadhi and Louise Weard. 

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 2024 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 2024 featuring artists and filmmakers Peaches, John Butler, Félix Maritaud and Rory Fleck Byrne, as well as access to the festival including events and talks with filmmakers such as Andrew Haigh, Kate Dolan, Russell Tovey, Susie Hall, Dominic Savage, Bob Gallagher, David Amado and more. The next stage of the starGAZE programme includes receiving mentorship from established industry figures. 

The starGAZE mentees and their industry mentors are: 

  • Philip Emo (writer/producer) - mentored by John Butler (Papi Chulo, Handsome Devil, The Outlaws)

  • Alba Fernandez (writer/director/DOP) - mentored by Kate McCullough (The Quiet Girl, Normal People, Arracht)

  • Ian Fallon (writer/director) - mentored by Stacey Gregg (Here Before, Bad Sisters, Ballywalter) 

  • Hiram Harrington (writer/director) - mentored by Kate Dolan (You Are Not My Mother, Soulm8te, Kin)

  • Pradeep Mahadeshwar (writer/director) - mentored by Amrou Al-Kadhi (Layla, The Watch, Anemone) 

  • Liadán Roche (writer/director) - mentored by Louise Weard (Castration Movie, Ambition, Computer Hearts)

Commenting, GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival and starGAZE collaborators, Sam Ahern, Evan Horan and Greg Thorpe said:  “Over the last few years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of Irish LGBTQIA stories being created. We are incredibly proud to pair six of the most exciting, upcoming LGBTQIA film talents in Ireland with a line-up of internationally renowned LGBTQIA filmmakers, through the Festival’s starGAZE programme. Mentorship with experienced industry figures can make a significantly positive impact at this juncture of these artists' careers as they pivot into new formats and bigger productions. We look forward to supporting our starGAZE participants through this next phase of the programme and to platforming new LGBTQIA voices.” 

starGAZE is supported by the National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama, an initiative of Screen Ireland and managed by Ardán, The Dean Arts Studio and Press Up Hospitality Group.

 

ABOUT GAZE

GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival 2025 will take place in Dublin at the Irish Film Institute and Light House Cinema from the 31st July to 4th August 2025.

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.  


GAZE International Film Festival is funded by The Arts Council, Screen Ireland, the National Talent Academy for Film and Television Drama, Dublin City Council, Coimisiún na Meán, The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. It is supported by venue partners Light House Cinema and the Irish Film Institute (IFI), with additional sponsorship from Press Up and The Dean Arts Group. With invaluable support from community partners and Festival Friends.