In this Film Ireland podcast, we’re delighted to shine a light on three filmmakers whose short films are screening at this years’s Galway Film Fleadh. Gemma Creagh chats with Alan Hopkins (A Knock at Your Door), Jaro Waldeck (Linger) and Thomas Bennett (The Galley).
The 38th edition of the Galway Film Fleadh takes place from 7-12 July 2026 at Pálás Cinema and Town Hall Theatre.
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Watch the original recording here:
A Knock at Your Door - DIR/WRI: Alan Hopkins
A young couple's life is thrown into disarray when they receive a late night knock on their door. Florence and James’s quiet evening in front of the TV comes to an abrupt end when a young teenager, Alex, arrives at their door badly beaten and in clear distress. Florence, a nurse, acts quickly and brings him inside, but James, who spends most of his free time in the darker sections of the internet, is immediately unsure. The situation escalates when James is sent a video purporting to show Alex, accompanied by extremely serious sexual allegations. Before James can eject Alex from the house, a mob, whipped up by online extremists, arrives outside seeking vigilante justice. Florence stands firm and won't hand Alex over based on an online accusation. Can their relationship survive as the mob's pressure grows?
A Knock at Your Door screens on Saturday, 11th of July in the Town Hall Cinema at 11.30 as part of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland World Premiere Shorts
Linger - DIR: Jaro Waldeck • WRI: Bobby Moloney
In a secluded house, Eve cares for her bedridden husband, David, who is now a shell of the man he once was. With only an AI assistant to keep her company, Eve longs for the love and connection they once shared. When offered a miraculous pill that can restore David to full health for seven days, Eve chooses to seize one last chance at happiness, knowing she will set off the countdown to his final moments. As David awakens, unaware of the years lost or the sacrifice Eve has made, their reunion is joyful but fleeting.
Linger screens on Saturday, 11th of July, Town Hall Cinema at 11.30 as part of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland World Premiere Shorts
The Galley - DIR: Thomas Bennett • WRI: Thomas Bennett, Niall McCloskey
As the coast of Northern Ireland sinks deep into the hands of gentrification, the workers of Crillis Arcade are struck with this reality when their workplace is sold for redevelopment; this news affects nobody greater than Helen (Bríd Brennan), a down on her luck woman living in a caravan along the coastline. When finding herself short on cash at the local chippy, Helen commits a victimless crime to pay for dinner…
The Galley is a heartfelt, emotional, Irish drama shot uncompromisingly on wides with interludes of Hi8 and Archive Footage. Through quiet contemplation & heartfelt humour the North Coast is examined amidst the fears & uncertainties of the modern world crashing in, steeped in the past whilst looking to the future.
The Galley screens on Friday 10th July, at 11:45 in the Town Hall Theatre as part of Irish Fiction 4.
Meet The Filmmakers
Alan Hopkins
Alan Hopkins is a Dublin-based writer, director and co-founder of HAL Pictures. A graduate of the National Film School at IADT, he holds both a BA in Film & Television Production and a Master’s Degree in Screenwriting.
His work has screened at festivals across Ireland and internationally, as well as on RTÉ. In 2024, his Screen Ireland Focus Short Ogham premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh before continuing its international festival run, receiving awards for cinematography and original score. His previous short film, Jungle, a drama set against the backdrop of the European refugee crisis, screened at festivals worldwide and was later released on RTÉ Player.
In 2025, Alan was selected for Screen Ireland’s Mentorship Programme, where he shadowed acclaimed writer-director Frank Berry, and was also selected for the Storyhouse Writers Lab. In 2026, his second Screen Ireland Focus Short, A Knock at Your Door, will premiere at the Galway Fleadh, while he continues development of his debut feature film, Sp(k)ink, with the support of Screen Ireland.
Jaro Waldeck
Jaro has been working in the Irish film and TV industry largely as a freelance cinematographer for 15 years. She shot over 50 short films (live action and documentary) as well as feature films DREAMTOWN and HOUSEWIFE OF THE YEAR. Jaro studied at Columbia College Chicago and FAMU Prague, two prestigious film universities, where she earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in cinematography, respectively. She is a member of Screen Directors Guild of Ireland (SDGI), Camera Guild Ireland, Czech Society of Cinematographers (ACK), and a Board Member of Women in Film and TV Ireland (WFT).
Jaro has directed a handful of music videos, as well as short live action and documentary films, including LINGER, her first funded short film, which will premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh 2026.
She has availed of shadowing opportunities through National Talent Academies, and was placed as a shadow DOP on the first season of BBC TV series LYNLEY. NTA have also supported Jaro for their inaugural Director’s Lab in 2022. Jaro is a tutor of cinematography at Griffith College Dublin.
Thomas Bennett
Thomas is a Belfast based artist and director focused on Hi-8 tape and Super 8. His short film directorial work has been funded by BFI Network, Arts Council NI and has been recognised and awarded nationally and internationally, showcasing at Academy®, BAFTA, BIFA & IFTA qualifying Film Festivals. Thomas is currently developing work through AMEI's 'Developing Your Practice as a Film Artist’ programme 2025-2026. Alongside his close collaborator, producer and writer Niall McCloskey, they have recently set up production company Standing Stone Pictures LTD and are developing their debut feature.
Also at Galway
Film Ireland Editor
