: @IFTN Industry Newsletter - Weekly Round-up FRI 22ND MAY 2026

[Studio NI]

IFTN Industry News IFTN Industry Newsletter - weekly round-up Ciarán Hinds joins Channing Tatum In Amazon MGM’s Isle Of Man Ciarán Hinds has joined the cast of Isle of Man, the upcoming racing drama starring Channing Tatum and Eve Hewson. The project, backed by Amazon MGM Studios, is set to begin production this week. Netflix acquires Irish period thriller Bad Bridgets from Kneecap director Rich Peppiatt Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to Bad Bridgets, the new feature from Rich Peppiatt, director of Kneecap. The film will star Emilia Jones and Alison Oliver. Oliver, joins the project after replacing Daisy Edgar-Jones, who had previously been attached.  Cannes 2026: Anthony Boyle celebrates Cannes debut with Clio Barnard’s I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning Ahead of the premiere of Clio Bernard’s I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, IFTN reports at BBC's Film In Focus event in Cannes, where Anthony Boyle discusses collaborating with Enda Walsh, reuniting with Lola Petticrew, and experiencing Cannes for the first time.  Cannes 2026: Michael Fassbender praises Na Hong-jin’s genre-blending alien thriller Hope Hope had its world premiere at the main competition of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on May 17, where it will compete for the Palme d'Or. IFTN reports at the Hope Cannes press conference to hear from Fassbender and director Na Hong-jin’s about their collaboration. ‘Shared Island, Shared Stories’ call for applications issued Coimisiún na Meán is calling for applications for the first ‘Shared Island Shared Stories’ funding round. The funding round, operated under An Coimisiún’s Sound & Vision Scheme and part of the Shared Island Media Fund, is for broadcasters and independent producers. Moe Dunford to star In Irish thriller Diatribe from filmmaker Shaun O’Connor Moe Dunford, Charlie Reid, Éadaoin O’Donoghue and Eoin O’Sullivan are attached to star in Diatribe, the debut feature from Irish filmmaker Shaun O’Connor, which is currently in pre-production in Castleisland, County Kerry.  New clip: Andrew Scott and Kerry Condon lead tense D-Day drama in Pressure Pressure has unveiled a new clip featuring Irish actors Andrew Scott and Kerry Condon amid the high-stakes countdown to D-Day. With Condon taking on the role of Captain Kay Summersby, the Cork-born assistant to Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower.  Dingle Film Festival open for submissions with €2,000 cash prize for Best Short Dingle Film Festival has officially opened for submissions for our 2026 festival taking place from 13th-15th of November.  Jamie-Lee O’Donnell to lead cast of New BBC Comedy Hopley Hall Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, widely recognised for her breakout role in Derry Girls, has been announced as the lead of a brand-new BBC comedy series titled Hopley Hall. Director Brendan Canty & cast confirmed for Boys of Tommen adaptation Director Brendan Canty and first cast members have been announced for the Cork-set Prime Video series, including Nancy Surridge, Conor Sánchez, James O’Donoghue, and Sophie McGibbon.  Michael Fassbender in negotiations for Brady Corbet’s new feature Actor Michael Fassbender is reportedly in discussions to appear in filmmaker Brady Corbet’s upcoming feature. The film, believed to carry the title The Origin of the World, will serve as Corbet’s next project after the critical success of his 2024 drama The Brutalist. Michael Harte's Kylie doc series to premiere on Netflix Kylie Minogue's three part documentary series, directed by Irish Emmy & BAFTA Award winner Michael Harte premieres on Netflix this week. Government approves legislation to assign Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has today received Government approval to publish the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill.  Ita Fitzgerald's West The Road debuts first look Ita Fitzgerald's West The Road, currently in production in Kerry, has debuted a first look. Meanwhile, Bankside Films has landed key deals for the film, including Vertigo for UK and Ireland. Latest Jobs Fíbín Media: Senior Video Editor Nemeton TV: Broadcast Technician/ Teicneoir Craolacháin Other News Alisha Weir to star in coming-of-age film Underdogs Weir is known for lead roles in Matilda The Musical, Abigail and has starred opposite Jessie Buckley in Wicked Little Letters. She has two IFTA Lead Actress nominations and was shortlisted for Screen Ireland IFTA Rising Star in 2025.  Michelle Fairley, Conor MacNeill and more join Channel 4's Close to Home Game of Thrones actress Michelle Fairley and Industry actor Conor MacNeill are among those joining the drama, based on Michael Magee’s debut novel, about a generation growing up in Northern Ireland in the wake of the Troubles. Ruth Bradley joins comedy Bender opposite Chris O'Dowd and Bill Burr Blender is described as Superbad meets Derry Girls, based on the late-’70s, post-punk Dublin coming-of-age experiences of Adrian Cunningham, who penned the script with Ciaran Bartlett. Creative Europe Monthly Roundup – May 2026 IFTN brings you a round-up of Creative Europe's key updates including Docs Ireland 2026, Animation Meitheal 2026, and Creative Europe MEDIA at Marché du Film de Cannes.  Liam Neeson to star in Matthew Modine’s The Splendid Thing Irish actor Liam Neeson is set to star in Matthew Modine’s upcoming feature The Splendid Thing alongside John Cleese and Modine. The film is said to blend romantic comedy, drama and fantasy.  Cannes 2026: Irish films and talent to feature Taking place from 12–23 May 2026, the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival features a range of Irish talent and Irish-backed productions, with Irish actor Ruth Negga serving on the main competition jury.  IFTA to host Producing Masterclass with Amanda Posey The Irish Film & Television Academy will present a Producing Masterclass with Amanda Posey of Wildgaze Films, two-time Oscar nominated producer of Film and TV including Trespasses, Brooklyn, An Education and Joy. Colm Bairéad’s Mary Rose boarded by mk2 ahead of Cannes launch Irish director Colm Bairéad will bring his latest feature Mary Rose to Cannes, with Paris-based sales and finance company mk2 Films joining the project ahead of the market.  Bankside boards Terry George political thriller Ceasefire starring Chris O’Dowd and Ciarán Hinds Bankside Films has acquired Academy Award® Winner Terry George’s political thriller Ceasefire for worldwide sales ahead of the Cannes Film Festival. Ceasefire will shoot in Ireland later this year.  Jessie Buckley & Paul Mescal to reunite for Benh Zeitlin romance Hold on to Your Angels Irish actors Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley are set to reunite on screen following the success of Hamnet, joining filmmaker Benh Zeitlin for the romantic drama Hold on to Your Angels. Colin Farrell joins Ralph Fiennes and Wagner Moura in Fernando Meirelles’ comedy Art Colin Farrell is set to star alongside Ralph Fiennes and Wagner Moura in Art, a new comedy feature directed by Fernando Meirelles, with international sales launching at the Cannes market via Patrick Wachsberger’s 193.  Jason Isaacs and Thomasin McKenzie to star in Dublin-shot thriller Killing Kelly Iain Softley’s darkly comic adaptation of a Flann O’Brien story will begin production in Dublin this autumn, with Screen Ireland backing and Upgrade launching sales in Cannes.  Rooney Mara to star in Quest For Love from Northern Irish filmmaker Antonia Campbell-Hughes Northern Irish filmmaker Antonia Campbell-Hughes will direct Oscar nominee Rooney Mara in Quest for Love, a Paris-set psychological drama developed through a Screen Ireland-backed initiative. Copyright © IFTN 2026, All rights reserved.   Not signed up? Register here