Brendan Canty to deliver public film talks at University College Cork

27 Jan 2026

• Talk series to explore Canty’s work from music videos to short and feature films
• Events announced as Christy receives 14 IFTA nominations after major international success.
• Lunchtime talk series hosted by UCC Department of Film and Screen Media

Acclaimed Irish filmmaker Brendan Canty will deliver a series of public talks at University College Cork in February. The talks are open to filmmakers, creatives and students across disciplines, and anyone with an interest in film.

Presented as part of Brendan Canty’s role as Arts Council Film Artist in Residence at UCC, the lunchtime talks will offer audiences an insight into Canty’s creative journey, from award-winning music videos to short films and feature-length work

Hosted by the Department of Film and Screen Media at UCC, the three-part lunchtime series will take place on campus throughout February and is open to all.

Each week, Brendan will share an insider’s view on making…

• Music Videos – 3 February at 1pm
• Short Films – 10 February at 1pm
• Feature Films – 17 February at 1pm

All talks will take place in UCC Film and Screen Media facilities, located in the Kane Building B10.B, main campus University College Cork.

Brendan Canty is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and prolific Irish directors working today. He first came to international attention with his video for Hozier’s Take Me to Church, which has surpassed one billion views on YouTube and received two MTV VMA nominations. Since then, he has directed visually striking music videos for artists including Dermot Kennedy and Talos, alongside commercial work for brands such as Adidas, Sky Sports and Fáilte Ireland.

In 2017, Canty directed the short film For You, starring Barry Keoghan, which won a Kinsale Shark and received an IFTA nomination. His second short film, Christy (2019), has since been developed into his debut feature film with BBC Film and Screen Ireland. The feature premiered at the Berlinale in 2025, where it won the Generation 14plus Grand Prix, and went on to receive Best Irish Film at the Galway Film Fleadh

Christy is nominated for  the LUX Audience Award - the biggest audience film award in Europe – with public voting now underway.

Christy has emerged as a leading contender at this year’s Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs), shortlisted in 14 categories including Best Director. 

His feature documentary Gealtra, funded by TG4 and the Arts Council, also premiered in 2025 and won Best Irish Feature at the Cork International Film Festival.

Commenting on his Arts Council residency at UCC, Brendan Canty said: “I’m extremely passionate about passing on the knowledge I’ve gained so far in my career and using this residency to demystify the role of the director and make it feel accessible rather than intimidating. I want to offer a transparent look at how the job really works and encourage students to really back themselves as filmmakers.”

Dr Gwenda Young, lecturer in Film and Screen Media at UCC, said: “Brendan Canty’s residency at UCC, co-funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and by UCC,  is a hugely valuable opportunity for our students and for film audiences more broadly. His work speaks to both creative ambition and craft, and these talks offer a rare chance to hear directly from a filmmaker who has built an international career while remaining deeply connected to Irish storytelling. We would strongly encourage anyone with an interest in film to attend.”

Performing Arts at UCC

University College Cork (UCC) is ranked in the top 100 universities worldwide for Performing Arts in the QS World University Rankings, recognising its international reputation for study and research in the Performing Arts including music and sonic art, theatre and interdisciplinary practices.

Discover study and research opportunities at UCC's School of Film, Music and Theatre here.