Ardán and the National Talent Academy for Film and TV Drama are delighted to announce that filmmaker Stephen T. Lally has been selected to take part in the 2026 Screen Talent Europe Directors Village.
The Directors Village is an in-person, five-day directors’ training initiative organised by CineSud for participants from the Screen Talent Europe network. The programme takes place in Maastricht.
Emerging directors from Screen Talent Europe partner regions who are currently developing a new short fiction film were invited to apply for the Directors Village. During the programme, participants work intensively on script development, directorial vision and directing actors, supported by experienced coaches through a series of group sessions. The aim is to equip participants with practical tools to support their film projects.
Eight participants from across Europe were selected by Screen Talent Europe network partners, with Stephen T. Lally to represent Ireland.
About Stephen T Lally
Stephen T Lally is an award-winning Queer director, screenwriter, and concept artist. Their work is defined by a bold visual aesthetic, an innate Queer perspective, and a heartfelt belief that the most powerful stories blend fantasy, humour, and emotional truth.
Stephen applied with their film Ernest, a comedic fantasy drama set in a world where Ernest works as a mid-level civil servant tasked with easing recently deceased people into The Afterlife! He finds his purpose upended by a dying child’s imaginary friend, forcing him to reimagine how we die, and what it means to truly live.
Speaking about the opportunity, Stephen said:
“I am genuinely honoured to have been selected by Ardán and the National Talent Academy for the CineSud Directors Village 2026. This is a huge vote of confidence in me as an emerging talent, and I am thrilled to join this incredible community of filmmakers. I am confident the Directors Village will strengthen my craft and position me as a writer-director capable of delivering visually inventive, emotionally resonant storytelling that connects with broad audiences. Ernest is exactly the kind of quirky and Queer Irish film I would love to see more of on screen, and I cannot wait to develop it further at the CineSud Directors Village.”
Eibh Collins of the National Talent Academy for Film and TV Drama added:
“We are proud to support Stephen T. Lally as they take the next step in their career development. Stephen is a 2025 Stargaze alumni, and it is exciting to see their work progress onto a European stage through the Directors Village. Opportunities like this are vital in supporting emerging Irish talent to build sustainable careers and international connections.”
The National Talent Academy for Film and TV Drama is an initiative of Screen Ireland, managed by Ardán.