The National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama and Ardán is delighted to announce the participants from Ireland selected who will take part in the Talent Camp Odense in August 2026. 

The Talent Camp Odense is an event organized by Odense Film Workshop which is a part of the Screen Talent Europe Network, of which Ardán is a member.  

The Talent Camp is a week of masterclasses, workshops, and networking between young filmmakers from all over the world from during Odense International Film Festival. 

The aim of Talent Camp Odense is to support a new generation of filmmakers by strengthening both their craft and their international connections — increasing their opportunities to move forward in the film industry. 

This year Sodiq Ajibola Abiola and Laura Shannon have been selected to take part to represent Ireland on behalf of the NTA Film & TV and Ardán.

 

Sodiq Ajibola Abiola is a Nigerian Irish actor, director and artist. With fondness for horror, surreal and absurd based projects. He trained at Bow Street Academy and The Lir Academy’s Actors Ensemble program.  Sodiq wrote and directed 4C a short film as part of the Irish National Talent Academy First credit funding, which debuted as an official selection at DIFF 2026 and played at the Fastnet Film Festival 2026 

Laura Shannon is an Irish writer-director with a background in theatre production. Laura has produced original theatre for Dublin Fringe Festival and Scene + Heard Festival. A Trinity College Dublin graduate, they were awarded the George Moore Scholarship to study Directing Fiction at Goldsmiths, University of London.  

Their debut short Dún Do Bhéal has screened internationally, including at the Oscar-qualifying Cinequest Festival, Fastnet Film Festival and St Patrick's Day Festival London. Laura's work blends dark comedy with realism to explore consent, women's experiences, class and the Irish language. They are currently developing a mockumentary short film about their experience living with Type 1 Diabetes.  

 

The NTA Film & TV is an initiative of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, managed by Ardán.