Rathmullan Film Festival returning for ninth year later this month

Rathmullan Film Festival 2026 will take place from Wednesday, February 18 to Sunday, February 22.

Back for its ninth year, the festival has an incredible weekend of events in store to keep the whole family entertained over the mid-term break. The film festival has continued to grow as a participatory festival since 2018, and it has been vital in promoting tourism and creativity in the Northwest.

Jam-packed with a range of exciting workshops, inspiring films, sports fun and events for all ages, this year’s programme builds on the success of previous years, continuing to involve the local community.

“Rathmullan Film Festival has always been about community, about people coming together to make films, build the festival programme, and enjoy themselves,” says Festival Director Laura Aguiar. “Each year we see more local talent stepping behind the camera and audiences discovering new perspectives through film. 

“This year we’ve tried to balance giving a platform to local talent while also introducing international works to offer a wider film experience. It’s inspiring to watch Rathmullan fill with creativity and connection for one long weekend. It’s so rewarding to see the festival grow each year and bring new visitors to the area and the events. Rathmullan is a beautiful spot all year round - not just in summer. It’s great to give people a reason to come visit.”

This year’s highlights include three Donegal shorts programmes offering a chance to see the county on the big screen and embrace the budding talent within it. Audiences can look forward to two films from the prestigious Berlinale: Brazilian film Betania and Sudanese film Khartoum.

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UK filmmaker Paul Crompton is back in Rathmullan to show his latest film Dogspiracy, while Derry-based Vincent O’Callaghan will present a live score to give classic Sunrise: A Tale of Two Humans a modern twist.

Gala Night is bumped up to Wednesday 18 this year. John D. Ruddy with the support of the Tomar Trust has been working with students from St. Joseph’s and St. Garvan’s to make films that will be premiered at one of the most glamorous evenings of the year, taking place in Ray Community Centre.

Evening entertainment on Thursday includes the Youth Club’s Movie & Pizza Night at RDRC featuring John Carney’s beloved coming-of-age film Sing Street.

Saturday is the festival’s busiest day starting with a free family-friendly Prop-Making workshop and film screening of The Wild Robot in memory of Amelie O’Sullivan. In the evening on Saturday, families can enjoy music by local young musicians and a quiz session at the Beachcomber before kickstarting Sunday afternoon outdoors on a Photo Heritage Tour, where Deirdra Friel leads a family-friendly exploration of Rathmullan’s past while participants capture photos to build a shared community map.

Creative morning workshops for 6-15 year olds at St Joseph’s NS are back, offering young participants the chance to explore collage-making with Print Barn Folk and dive into the world of special effects makeup with artist Anna Czajak.

Friday includes a Foley Sound Workshop, sponsored by Northern Ireland Screen, and a Stunt Acting Workshop led by stunt performer Edward Mohan, sponsored by the National Youth Film and Animation Network. Saturday’s workshop is a chance to learn all about Stopmotion Animation, a popular workshop returning for another year. Kickboxing with Mayhem Martial Arts returns as does the Night Photography Workshop, where John Harding guides participants in capturing the beauty of Rathmullan’s night sky. Also on offer this year is a new workshop for adults in Mobile Filmmaking for anyone who simply wants to learn how to make better videos using their phone.

Start into a slow Friday afternoon with a cosy screening of classic Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, complete with homemade soup from Éan Eile in SVP. Film lovers can enjoy Dogspiracy on Friday followed by a Q and A with director Paul Crompton.

Screening on Saturday is Betânia, fresh from Berlinale, a lyrical journey through Brazil’s unseen region of Lencois Maranhenses, screening in SVP.

The afternoon on Sunday turns international with the Spotlight on Sudan and Palestine event, featuring Berlinale favourite Karthoum and short film A Day in the Tent, highlighting resilience amid conflict. The event is in partnership with the Disappear Here Film Club and ChangeMakers Donegal.

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Documentary features this year in Donegal History On Screen at SVP, exploring themes such as the Rathmullan Pier, the forgotten island of Innistrahull and farmer Patsy McInaw, a master of dry-stone wall building. Additionally, catch a free screening of Arthur Lynch’s Sea Angling Festival (1972) at the White Harte at 7pm on Thursday evening.

Filmmakers can head to Rathmullan House on Saturday for the Youth Film Showcase featuring student work from Loreto Letterkenny and PCC Falcarragh.

Saturday afternoon also offers the festival’s industry event Inspire, sponsored by Screen Ireland. This is the perfect event for those who want to step into the world of filmmaking and to hear more from guest filmmakers Paul Crompton, Sara Gunn-Smith and Dorothy Duffy how to develop, fund, and distribute films in Ireland and the UK. The event also includes screening of short films made by film and animation students at ATU Donegal and Cinematic Arts, Ulster University.

The Inspire event will be followed by Made in Donegal 1, a shorts screening and panel discussion showcasing the wealth of filmmaking talent in the northwest across a range of genres and subjects. The Made in Donegal 2 programme on Sunday continues the celebration of local filmmaking with films that reflect community spirit and creativity and Q and A with the filmmakers.

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans in the Presbyterian Church, brought to life by Vincent O’Callaghan’s stunning live soundtrack. The film follows a young city woman on vacation who calls for a villager and tries, unsuccessfully, to convince him to kill his wife.

An Stad hosts its annual festival evening out this year opting for a fun night of veggie tapas paired with movie-themed karaoke. Sing your heart out to iconic movie tunes. A perfect blend of food, fun, and film!

The festival concludes on a high note with Reel Inspirations: An Evening of Storytelling Through Word & Music in Mary Macs at 7pm on Sunday, where stories inspired by Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive meet the warmth of live music in a tribute to cross-border artistic collaboration.

Tickets can be purchased online at rathmullan.ie/filmfest

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