The Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland’s esteemed film festival, concluded its 35th annual event with a standout winner: Apocalypse Clown. This hilarious comedy, directed by George Kane and written by Kane, Demian Fox, Shane O’Brien, and James Walmsley, follows a group of failed clowns navigating a chaotic Ireland after a global blackout. The film took home the coveted Best Irish Film award.

Apocalypse Clown premiered on July 14 at the Galway Film Fleadh and will continue its festival run at Canada’s Fantasia Festival. It is set for release in Ireland on September 1 through Wildcard Entertainment, followed by a release in the U.K. through Vertigo Releasing. The film’s unique blend of insanity and humor resonated with audiences, making it a standout among the festival’s offerings.

Alongside Apocalypse Clown, other notable films received recognition at the Galway Film Fleadh. John Carlin’s drama, Lie of the Land, won Best Irish First Feature, while Sarah Share’s documentary, The Grace Age – The Ballad of John Murray, took home the award for Best Irish Documentary.

The Galway Film Fleadh also featured an expanded program of events through its industry arm, the Film Fair. Celebrating its 27th edition, the Film Fair served as a vital link between Europe and the U.S., offering sessions on virtual reality and introducing pitching opportunities for video game professionals.

The Fair’s Marketplace facilitated around 700 pre-scheduled meetings between filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world. Renowned players such as Neon, BBC Film, Film4, StudioCanal, and the BFI participated, fostering collaborations and connections.

However, the festival faced a disruption when it became the first to be impacted by the SAG-AFTRA strike. Matthew Modine, star of The Martini Shot, canceled his Q&A session in solidarity with the strike, emphasizing the need for unity and a more inclusive industry.

The 35th Galway Film Fleadh celebrated the best of Irish cinema, with Apocalypse Clown standing out as the top winner. The festival’s diverse film lineup and bustling marketplace showcased the vibrancy and potential of the industry. As the event concluded with the screening of Let the Canary Sing, a documentary on Cyndi Lauper, attendees left inspired by the future of Irish filmmaking.