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Previews
The NY Irish Center Presents “Fís Nua/New Vision” — America’s first Irish Language Film Festival In February
- Details
- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Wednesday, 18 February 2026 10:13
- Written by Brad Balfour
"The Quiet Girl"
A few years ago, the film world was surprised by the ascension of so many Irish actors, directors, below-the-line folks and even a bunch of choice locations (witness the locations used in “The Game of Thrones”). Now following such an auspicious series of acknowledgments, it seemed like a good time to plan a film festival of Irish language films. Yes, films in Gaelic, the original talk of inhabitants of the Emerald Island.
Once the British started occupying their next-door neighbor, part of their plans to oppress the population and its cohesion was to ban its native language. For decades, Gaelic was suppressed both North and South. But once the Republic of Ireland emerged, there were efforts to reestablish its native tongue. Nowadays, the Irish regale in their language, learning it as kids with a region in the West country where Gaelic is the primary language.
Now New York’s booming community of Irish speakers, learners and the Irish-curious will have a reason to convene since the NY Irish Center (NYIC) will host America’s first Irish language film festival — “Fís Nua/New Vision” — this February, Thu 19th to Sat, the 21st. The seven recently produced Irish-language feature-length and short films will unspool for the three-day festival.
It begins on Thursday, Feb 19, at 7pm, with the Festival Kickoff which includes a panel discussion and reception. The distinguished Irish language radio contributor, Caoimhe Nic Giollarnáith, moderates a discussion on the role that media and entertainment have played in the revival of the Irish language, with the perspective on TG4’s pivotal role in broadening the appeal. (In English and Irish)
Then, on Friday, February 20th at 7pm, the Opening Night Film will be the Oscar-nominated “The Quiet Girl.” (Best International Feature Film in 2023). Directed by Colm Bairéad, this masterfully crafted film tells of a neglected nine-year-old girl who finds a loving home with distant relatives on a farm in County Waterford. It was called “a jewel” by The Guardian. The highly acclaimed film was seen in limited release in New York and LA in 2022. This February screening will be preceded by a brief retrospective of Bairéad’s road to the Oscar nomination.
On Saturday, Feb 21 from 2 to 4pm is the Children’s Afternoon featuring “Lí Ban” and “Song of the Sea.” A treat for youngsters and families are two episodes from new TG4 animated series: “Lí Ban.” It follows a 12-year-old and her dog on a magical journey to the sea. Then, courtesy of the Oscar-nominated production studio Cartoon Saloon “Song of the Sea” directed by Tomm Moore with be shown.
Later that day, at 7pm, will be a Double Feature – a locally made short film “An Chathair Mhór” and “Ag Taisteal Siar” — the Festival’s closing night film. Made by Cian O’Connor, the short was filmed in Woodlawn in The Bronx, and produced with a primarily Irish cast and crew, O’Connor tells the touching story of a young man who travels to New York from Ireland where he rediscovers his love for Gaeilige,by minding his grandaunt Breda in her last days.
The Festival closes with Méabh O’Hare’s fascinating documentary “Ag Taisteal Siar” explores the rich musical heritage of Ireland’s Traveller community -- a driving force in Irish music scene since the 1960s ballad boom. It’s full of spellbinding performances and interviews with such legends as Kathleen Keenan, Sarah Dunne, Sharyn Ward, Niamh Dunne and Steo Wall.
“Fis Nua/New Vision” is produced in partnership with Ireland’s premier Irish language broadcaster, TG4, which is celebrated for being a hub for Irish language and culture globally. On the air since 1996, TG4 is a free channel available in over 80% of Irish households. It’s video on demand service recorded 4.3M video views in 2024, a 23% increase over the previous year.
Said TG4’s commissioning editor Proinsias Ní Ghráinne, “We’re delighted to partner with the New York Irish Center on the first edition of ‘Fís Nua.’ This collaboration reflects TG4’s commitment to make Irish language content available to audiences across the globe. We hope this festival will go on to strengthen transatlantic artistic exchange and deepen the creative bridge between Ireland and American filmmaking communities.”
Staged at the NY Irish Center, it’s a hub for culture and community enrichment serving diverse constituencies throughout New York City. The Queens based center serves over 25,000 annually –– from toddlers, young people, seniors, immigrants, arts lovers, and New York’s ever-evolving Irish diaspora. The bustling location is now celebrating its 21st anniversary during this 2025-26 season.
All films are shown with English subtitles.
Fís Nua/New Vision
February 19 - 21, 2026
To see and hear the station go to:www.tg4.ie
Festival Passes are $40, with Day Passes on sale for just $15.
Tickets are currently on sale at www.newyorkirishcenter.org
2026 Winter Film Festival Showcases Works From Around the World
- Details
- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 17:15
- Written by Brad Balfour
Now in its 14th year, New York’s Winter Film Festival is back for it’s 2026 edition. Running February 18 to the 22nd at the Regal Union Square, the Winter Film Festival is a showcase in cinematic diversity. The festival places a special emphasis on highlighting the work of emerging and under-represented filmmakers, and for 2026, the festival will showcase 103 films from around the world – shorts and features, animation, documentaries, dramas, romances, comedies, horror and music videos, including 20 student films and 34 first-time directors. The shorts block includes Made in NY Shorts, Horror Shorts, Documentary Shorts, and Animated Shorts.
Features include Accomplices, in which after a car accident, Sofia and Branko’s idyllic life unravels. As they struggle to cope with the aftermath, their conscience haunts them, transforming their relationship and leading to a series of unexpected events. Beautiful, Pam follows a Queer sex-worker, named Pam, in the midst of a mid-life crisis during the week of their son’s 18th birthday. While living out of a motel and turning tricks, Pam attempts to balance fatherhood and addiction.
The WFF is also dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers as they break into the industry. There will be six FREE educational and career-building sessions open to the public, including:
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Film Festivals and How to Look After Your Mental Health (Feb 19, 12:45-2:00pm)
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Casting Strategies for Indie Filmmakers & Actors (Feb 19, 2:15-3:30pm)
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Independent Distribution Strategies: Information vs. Disinformation (Feb 19, 3:45pm-5:00pm)
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Sustainability for Indie Films with NYC MOME's FilmGreen Office (Feb 20, 2:15pm-3:30pm)
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Producing 101 (Feb 20, 3:45pm-5:00pm)
To learn more, go to: https://winterfilmfest.org/wff2026/
2026 Winter Film Festival
February 18 - 22, 2026
Regal Union Square
850 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
Dances With Film NY Showcases Familes, Crimefighters, & Friction
- Details
- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Friday, 09 January 2026 14:51
- Written by Brad Balfour
Roof
Since 1998 the Dances With Film festival has championed aspiring filmmakers and little known projects. Originating in LA, DWF expanded to New York in 2022 and now the Dances With Film NY festival hits the Regal Union Square (850 Broadway, New York, NY) this January 15 to 18. DWFNY includes features, shorts, documentaries, pilots, and family friendly fare in a packed schedule.
The festival opens with the North American premiere of Vindicta, directed by Dominik Sedlar, a tale of a young woman’s revenge against the Nazis. Documentaries include Dad Genes in which a former sperm donor discovers that he’s fathered dozens of children, thrusting him into the global spotlight and transforming him from anonymous donor to unconventional family man. The Midnight Series block of films features works that are a little off kilter siuch as Knifeman in where a mild-mannered IRS Agent Horatio Hunt must suit up and become a superhero Knifeman to save his city from an assault by a sinister sorceress in this film that’s part Ultraman, part Silence of the Lambs. The closing night film is Roof, directed by Salvatore Sciortino. Two co-workers facing terrible life choices get locked on the roof of a skyscraper during a long, hot holiday weekend. What begins as an inconvenience becomes a fight for survival as they attempt increasingly dangerous ways to escape, all the while forming a unique and unexpected friendship.
DWFNY will also feature a slate of panels and events to be held at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Union Square with details TBA.
To learn more, go to: https://danceswithfilms.com/
Dances With Film NY
January 15 - 18, 2026
Regal Union Square
850 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
DOC NYC 2025: Life, Love, & Obsessions
- Details
- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Tuesday, 11 November 2025 19:23
- Written by Brad Balfour
New York’s prestigious documentary film festival, DOC NYC, is here again to tell stories too strange to be made up. Running November 12 to the 30th at venues across NYC as well as streaming online, DOC NYC features documentaries from around the world with unique voices and visions.
The festival includes the North American premiere of Museum of the Night, in which Argentine photographer Leandro Katz chronicles the 1970s New York art collective Theater of the Ridiculous. An examination of stigma, resilience, and the search for self-worth, the documentary Paul chronicles a “simp” navigating mental health struggles through domestic service for dominant mistresses, finding purpose in cleaning as ritual and discipline (screening will be followed by a Q&A with producer Karine Bélanger and film protagonist Paul). Siren: The Voices of Shelley Beattie is a portrait of Deaf bodybuilder Shelley “Siren” Beattie whose stunning physique was protective armor against trauma and alienation.
Other documentaries address the fallout of China’s One-Child policy (The Dating Game), photographers telling the stories of Black lives (Black Is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story), when TV entertainment masquerades as law enforcement (Predators), and much more.
To learn more, go to: https://www.docnyc.net/
DOC NYC
November 12 - 30, 2025
Various Venues in NYC and Streaming
