NTA at 35th Galway Film Fleadh 
The 35th Galway Film Fleadh took place last week and the National Talent Academies were out in force. We hosted seminars and networking events and met with both industry professionals and those interested in joining the screen industry.  It was a great  occasion to make connections and talk to people about the various career paths available in the film industry. 
 
The Anti-Bias and Anti-Racism Seminar & Networking Event

We hosted an Anti-Bias and Anti-Racism Seminar & Networking Event at the Galway Film Fleadh, in collaboration with Black & Irish. 

 

This event brought together industry professionals and attendees to discuss and empower one another towards a more inclusive future.

 

The purpose of this seminar was to create a space for dialogue, education, and empowerment, with the ultimate goal of fostering positive change in Irish society.

 

Hosted by Briana Fitzsimmons, Director of Education & Training at Black & Irish, the seminar delved into various essential topics including: the lived experiences of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Colour) in Ireland, Rethinking and Bias, Anti-Racism Terminology, Intersectionality, White Supremacy, and more.

 

As the film and TV industry continues to evolve, embracing diversity and eradicating racism becomes more critical than ever. This event demonstrated that unity and collective action are essential to creating a more equitable and inclusive Ireland for all. 

 

National Talent Academies Networking BBQ

We hosted a Networking BBQ on the Sunday of the Galway Film Fleadh in The Galmont. This was a great opportunity for industry professionals to come together, forge connections, and explore upcoming opportunities and initiatives. 

 

Attendees had the opportunity to meet with our NTA Team:

Eibh Collins - Film & TV

Lorraine Higgins - Crew Academy West 

Jade Travers - Crew Academy East

Rachael Power - Crew Academy South 

Deirdre Barry - Animation 

 

Sunday's industry events kicked off with an X-Pollinator panel focussing on one of Ireland’s most exciting female led production companies, Invisible Thread.

This was followed by an insightful Short Film Discussion on why representation matters in the industry, sponsored and hosted by the National Talent Academies. Attendees had the chance to gain valuable insights from industry experts. 

 

The panel included:

Esosa Ighodaro (Writer/Director, A Little Chilli)

Aisling Byrne (Director, Misread) 

Daniel Ryan (Actor, Misread)

Alba Fernandez (DOP, Writer & Director)

Caleb Roberts (Director, Malcolm) 

This was chaired by Eibh Collins of the NTA & Galway Film Fleadh. 

 

As the Galway Film Fleadh approached its closing, the NTA Networking BBQ offered a delightful way to bid farewell to this spectacular festival. With a burger in hand, attendees had the opportunity to network, make connections and relish the last moments of a memorable week.

 

We hope that we helped our attendees connect and build relationships with others at our events and we’re excited to see what projects emerge as a result of these connections! 

 

Many thanks to the Galway Film Fleadh for their hospitality and support. 

 

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