Photo Credit: ©INPHO/James Crombie
The Meath Film Festival is back for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, promising an exciting lineup of national and international cinema; narrative, documentary, drama, comedy and animation; feature films and shorts; a creative workshop, engaging discussions and so much more, at the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, on September 13th and 14th, 2025.
Meath has a huge amount to offer when it comes to location and talent. Our programme reflects this with its diverse range of films, including the wonderfully cinematic, “Listen To The Land Speak”, which beautifully captures many of Meath’s treasured sites, and the award winning, “Solitary”, produced by Ashbourne’s own, Alan Breslin. With the support of Solstice Arts Centre and Meath Arts Office, the festival continues to be an integral part of the county’s cultural landscape.
The festival will also showcase international talent, including the powerful Oscar winning documentary, “No Other Land”. Ticket sales for this screening will go to charities operating in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Meath Film Festival celebrates both established and developing talents, including the next generation of filmmakers emerging from our local schools. The festival serves as the perfect platform to showcase their creativity and passion thanks to the 60 Second Short Competition.
With so much talent on offer, the Meath Film Festival is truly becoming one of the must-attend cultural events of the year!
Festival Highlights:
● Features This year’s festival offers compelling documentaries and moving narratives: Manchán Magan’s exploration of the Irish landscape and mythology in Listen to the Land Speak; the struggle to maintain a Palestinian community in the face of Israeli occupation in No Other Land, and fear and isolation in rural Ireland in Solitary.
● Short Film Competition: A diverse range of local, national and international short films; from animation to documentary, from comedy to drama will compete for the accolades of Best Film, Best International Film and the ever popular Audience Choice award. Top films will be selected by an expert panel of judges, offering a prestigious opportunity for both seasoned and emerging filmmakers.
● Discussion Panels: Each shorts programme and feature film will be followed by a group discussion. Kells’ own Deirdre Reynolds (Irish Independent, Sunday World) will host panels featuring filmmakers and other special guests where she unpacks the films, and audience questions are welcome.
● 60 Second Shorts Competition: A programme for filmmakers under 18 years of age but open to audiences of all ages; the 60-second Shorts Competition challenges our youngsters to tell a coherent and entertaining story in one minute. The screening will be followed by the 60 Second Short Award Ceremony, where the winning short will be announced. It’s a thrilling moment for both filmmakers and audiences! Entry is free of charge.
● Costume Design Workshop: An exclusive Costume Making Workshop led by Lucy Shannon. Participants will learn how costumes bring characters and stories to life. Whether you are an aspiring costume designer or simply curious about the craft, this workshop is designed to inspire and educate.
Saturday, 13th September:
● 11:00 – 12:30 | Costume Design Workshop
○ Led by Lucy Shannon, this hands-on workshop explores the magic of costume design in film.
● 13:30 – 15:00 | Listen to the Land Speak & Discussion
○ A compelling documentary that explores the deep connection between landscape, culture, and people. Followed by discussion with special guests.
● 16:00 – 18:00 | Short Film Programme 1 & Discussion
○ A selection of short films from around the world, followed by discussion.
● 19:00 – 21:30 | Feature: No Other Land & Discussion with special guests
○ Powerful Oscar winning documentary about Palestinian resistance to Israeli military occupation in the West Bank’s Masafer Yatta. Followed by discussion.
Sunday, 14th September:
● 12:00 – 12:30 | 60 Second Short Programme & 60 Second Short Award Ceremony
○ A celebration of creativity from young and emerging filmmakers. Don’t miss the announcement of the award winner!
● 13:00 – 15:00 | Short Film Programme 2 & Discussion
○ A fresh selection of short films, with another opportunity to hear from the filmmakers in a Q&A session.
● 16:00 – 18:00 | Short Film Programme 3 & Discussion
○ The final short film programme of the festival, with diverse stories that will leave you inspired.
● 18:00 – 18:30 | MFF Awards Ceremony
○ The highly anticipated awards ceremony, celebrating the best of the festival in various categories. Categories include Audience Choice, Best International Film and Best Film. Top films will be selected by an expert panel of judges, offering a prestigious opportunity for both seasoned and emerging filmmakers.
● 19:00 – 21:00 | Feature: Solitary & Discussion with special guests ○ Brendan, a widowed farmer, lives a quiet life on the edge of a village. When his home is broken into, a growing sense of fear and isolation takes hold. Followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.
Community Involvement: This year’s festival is proudly supported by Solstice Arts Centre, The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Meath County Council, Meath Arts Office, Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Unite the Union, Unilin Insulation, and Meath Public Participation Network.
Word from our festival director:
“We welcome filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike in what promises to be a truly memorable festival,” said Elaine Gallagher, Festival Director.
“This year our theme is Connection To Place; as demonstrated in our feature films, Listen To The Land Speak, No Other Land and Solitary, as well as many of our short films. This ineffable quality drives so many of this year’s filmmakers and will no doubt resonate with Meath Film Festival audiences.”
Ticket Information:
Tickets for the Meath Film Festival 2025 are now available on the Solstice Arts Centre website or at the ticket desk.
Don’t miss out on this exciting weekend of film at Meath Film Festival 2025.
For further information or press inquiries, please contact:
Email: meathfilmcollective@gmail.com
Website: www.meathfilm.ie or www.solsticeartscentre.ie