Hello and Welcome

to the 14th First Cut! Youth Film Festival

First Cut Youth Film Festival is now in its 14th year! The festival team and I are delighted to welcome you to Youghal to join us in this beautiful seaside town at the mouth of the Blackwater River, where we gather every year to create an exciting platform for young filmmakers to share their work and learn from each other, and from the professionals who provide their generous support.

Festivals create vibrant ways to bring people together, and the magic that happens when young people get together at our festival is what inspires and drives us. First Cut! creates an event that above all respects and celebrates the diverse voices of young people as expressed through the uniquely powerful artform of film.

The arts are how we tell our stories as a society. They’re how we talk about what is important to us, view the world, and make some sense of the complicated world we live in. We have seen how art has the power to enrich and even change lives.

It is in this spirit that we showcase the films that will be seen and enjoyed by our live audiences in Youghal and our online audiences around the world. These audiences will be exposed to worlds and situations, themes and perspectives that, in many cases, they might never have come across before - and all as seen through the eyes of young filmmakers. We proudly present an exciting, diverse and varied programme which we hope you will be challenged and entertained by.

Finally, a warm thank you to the filmmakers, audience members and everyone else who makes this festival happen each year. I hope you have a memorable time and find inspiration in the films and other events (all of which are free of charge) that make up First Cut! 2023.

Mary Mc Grath Festival Director