The Louth International Film Festival (LIFF) 2024 has successfully concluded, marking yet another milestone in its celebration of outstanding cinematic talent from Ireland and across the globe.
Organisers, as well as those who took part, and those who attended the festival, agreed that it was, a true convergence of art, creativity, and community, with an exciting lineup of films, panels, and discussions that left audiences inspired and moved.
The festival’s opening night was sold out, with a special appearance from Hollywood director, Dundalk's own John Moore (Behind Enemy Lines, Flight of the Phoenix, A Good Day to Die Hard), who kicked things off in grand style. His lively, monologue-style Q&A session with Barry Keating was more than just a talk—it was a journey through his film career, marked by his wit and charm.
The audience was thoroughly entertained by his anecdotes, as well as the 20th anniversary screening of his film Flight of the Phoenix, a celebration of action filmmaking in its purest form—without CGI.
Below: Hollywood director John Moore at Mo Chara in Dundalk

At the IMC, the filmmaking panel featuring Colm Mullen, Pheonuh Callan, and Luke Hanlon brought the industry’s future into focus, with discussions on emerging trends, the challenges of independent production, and the evolving landscape of Irish cinema.
Commenting on this year's festival, Lorcan Dunne, Executive Festival Director, told the Dundalk Democrat that: "This year, the Louth International Film Festival truly realized its ethos of community engagement, education, hospitality and celebrating local talent.
"We were proud to welcome special guests from Louth who have gone on to achieve remarkable success in the industry. Their presence, alongside our diverse lineup of filmmakers and creatives, brought a sense of pride and connection to our local roots. The energy, passion, and support from the community made this festival an unforgettable celebration of both global and local cinematic voices."
The festival hosted two Industry Panels, featuring some of the brightest minds in the Irish film industry: Stephen Shields, Conor McMahon, Barry Keating, Tania Notaro, Lorna Fitzsimons, and Brian Durcan. The panel was expertly moderated by Sarah McCann, a producer and lecturer at DkIT, and offered invaluable insights into the world of filmmaking.
The lively discussions reflected the depth of talent present, with Shauna Bowden Photography capturing the moments, while a stunning historical visual arts piece, Before Me In A Dream, by Colm Mullen and Sharon McArdle, added an artistic touch to the festival ambiance.
In a packed screening, the festival proudly showcased Laoch: Defy the Odds, an inspirational film directed by Stephan Mazurek and produced by Liz Sung. Stephan and Liz made the journey from Chicago to Dundalk to present their project, which tells the powerful story of Thomas "Tommy" McCague, Ireland’s only powerlifter with dwarfism.
The film chronicles Tommy’s transformation from battling depression and obesity to finding strength through powerlifting, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit. The project drew praise for its authenticity and moving narrative.
Q&A sessions at this year's festival were moderated by Barry Keating, who expertly fielded questions and drew out deeper insights from the filmmakers and audience alike. They formed part of a unique weekend in Dundalk where audiences were captivated by the powerful storytelling throughout the festival. Among the standout events were:
-
A Q&A with local Director Ian Hunt Duffy followed the screening of his impressive first feature, Double Blind.
-
Aislinn Clarke, Cara Holmes, and renowned casting director Luci Lenox participated in a compelling panel discussion on women in the film industry at An Táin Arts Centre, expertly hosted by Sinead Brassil. Their perspectives on gender dynamics in filmmaking resonated with both aspiring and experienced filmmakers.
-
The screening of the Emmy-winning documentary One-Armed Wonder was followed by a deeply moving Q&A with filmmakers Richard and Chris. The documentary chronicles the inspiring and tragic journey of Dundalk FC footballer Jimmy Hasty.
The 2024 Louth International Film Festival culminated in the announcement of this year’s exceptional winners:
- Best Feature Film: The Kiss of Death Director Terry McMahon shared his feelings on winning Best Feature Film: "A wonderful festival run by an incredible team, to witness the work of the Nigerian cast and crew on The Kiss of Death being celebrated with the Best Film award was something truly special."
- Best International Short: PLAC
- Best Feature Documentary: Notes from Sheepland
- Best Short Documentary: We Beg to Differ
- Best Short Fiction: Animal
- Dearbhla Walsh Award for Best Director: TJ O'Grady-Peyton for Room Taken
- Best Actor: Dane Whyte O'Hara for Animal
- Seamus McGarvey Award for Best Cinematography: Daniel Sedgwick for We Beg To Differ
- Best in Louth: Laoch Defy the Odds
- Best Student Film: All I Have to Say
- Audience Choice Award: Laoch Defy the Odds
The festival organisers add that the festival’s success would not have been possible without the efforts of its volunteers, supporters, and artists, further adding that, "from the enthralling screenings to the lively panel discussions, every moment was a celebration of the creative spirit that the Louth community and the wider international film industry represent".
Photos of this year's festival to follow