Premiering at the Dublin International Film Festival, Have You Never Heard of Bill Fuller? traces the life of a Kerry-born impresario whose influence on 20th century music far surpassed his public profile. Directed by David Burke, the documentary follows Fuller’s elusive rise from rural Ireland to the centre of global music scenes, where he promoted artists including Nina Simone, Thin Lizzy and Johnny Cash while remaining largely on the sidelines.
Ahead of the film’s screening, Lauren Gallagher spoke with Burke about uncovering Fuller’s hidden story, navigating its many unknowns, and leaving space for audiences to draw their own conclusions.
What part of Bill Fuller's legacy resonated with you and why did you want to tell the story now?
David: I think the interesting thing about Bill Fuller is that he was a guy that did so much and no one really knows about him. How did this guy, who was larger than life, avoid the spotlight for so long? So, that was the intriguing thing. We all like things where they're a little bit secret or mysterious. That was the starting point.
In terms of that mystery, was there anything while you were researching that surprised you?
David: Tons of things surprised me. When we started, the interesting thing was no one, including his family, knew the full story. One phone call led to another phone call, led to another phone call. It was like trying to piece together all these different pieces. One of his daughters, Kate, says I probably know more about Bill Fuller than she does, because he didn't really speak about certain parts of his life to his family.
It was all a complete mystery. He compartmentalised things. So, certain parts of his life he kept away from his family. That was the most surprising thing.
Was it quite a long process then, digging through all of that?
David: Yes. I think it took maybe three years from day one to today. And these things just take that long anyway because you're waiting for one decision to go on to the other decision and to get funding as well. That's part of it. So during the process it was being put together the whole time.
Even now I still get new Bill Fuller stories, even as it's complete. So there's tons more about this guy. Some say he took a lot of secrets to the grave with him as well. And we'll never know.
And how did you find turning these scattered facts into a fully formed narrative? What was that process like?
David: I think it happens organically because you find stuff that you can't live without. And then that's 60% of the story anyway. Then you find the other 40% that knits it all together, in my case. That's a very abbreviated answer but that's what we did.
Is there anything in particular that you'd like the audience to take from the film tonight?
David: The first review I've read of it was a little bit different than I thought. In the best sense. They took something that I wasn't expecting. I thought they might focus on other parts of his life. And I think that's what I'd like.
I think different people can have different takes on it. Giving on their own experiences and stuff like that. So I think that's what I'd like anyway.
Yeah, because obviously you've spent so much time thinking about it from this one perspective. I imagine it will be interesting to see the audience reception.
David: Oh, completely. That's what I'm kind of curious about really. To see what people will make of it. Because we went down a rabbit hole really to be honest. But you can’t see the forest for the trees. So yeah, I am curious to see what people will make of it.
Have You Never Heard of Bill Fuller premiered at Dublin International Film Festival 22nd February 2026.
