“I was born on this planet, why do I pay to exist here?” That’s one question proposed by Hossein in today’s podcast episode. Additionally, we discuss how his political asylum has affected his career as a documentary filmmaker, and dive further into a philosophical discussion, while learning more about his latest award winning film “I Am Gitxsan” which explores a recent high school graduate reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage in Hazelton, British Columbia, Canada.

Visit his production website: www.fazelifilms.com
or for his latest film “I am Gitxsan” on the web: www.iamgitxsan.com

Hossein Martin Fazeli has been an A-List director in North America for many years. He has been producing, directing, and writing fiction and non-fiction television and film for more than two decades and has extensive international experience, having worked on location in a dozen different countries.

His films have been broadcast around the world, including on CBC, BBC, ARTE, and Canal+, winning 45 international awards in the process.

Throughout the years he has collaborated with organizations such as UNDP, European Commission, and Nonviolence International on a wide range of film and television projects, including national and regional campaigns, exploring issues such as human rights, women's rights, and minority rights.

His 2007 production, "The Tale of Two Nazanins", about a teenage girl imprisoned on death row in Iran, was broadcast on major international networks such as the BBC and CNN and is credited with igniting an international campaign that saved her life.

In 2008, Fazeli was chosen by the Sundance Institute to take part in their International Filmmakers Award. He has lectured around the world on the ever changing face of film production and has held workshops with students at various educational institutions such as SFU (Canada), SOAS (UK), Aarhus University (Denmark) and the European Film Academy.
For more info, please visit: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3347515/

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Ep. 13 Hossein Martin Fazel, “I Am Gitxsan”

In this episode of the Film Ireland Podcast, we are delighted to partner with the Dinard British and Irish Film Festival, which held its 36th edition last weekend in the picturesque seaside town of Dinard, Brittany.

The episode features filmmaker John Kelly, whose animated short Retirement Plan - winner of both the Jury and Audience Awards at SXSW - continues its successful festival run with a screening at Dinard. Our contributor Tanvi Gawali speaks with John about the film’s journey and creative process.

We also hear from Myrid Carten, discussing her powerful documentary A Want in Her, which screened at the festival and is now showing in Irish cinemas.

The Dinard British and Irish Film Festival is an annual celebration of cinema that takes place in the coastal town of Dinard, Brittany. Now in its 36th year, the festival showcases the best of contemporary British and Irish filmmaking, highlighting emerging talent alongside established voices. Known for its warm hospitality and discerning audiences, Dinard provides a unique platform for filmmakers to connect with international industry figures and audiences in France.


Presents: John Kelly, Retirement Plan & Myrid Carten, A Want in Her

In this debut episode of the State of the Arts Podcast, host filmmaker and writer Des Doyle chats with Ciarán Donnelly, BAFTA and multiple IFTA award-winning Director/Producer, and co-creator of Kin. Produced in partnership with Film Ireland and supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme, the series explores the creative processes, industry challenges, and new opportunities that both Irish & international creatives face in ever-evolving artistic landscapes. 

In this discussion, Donnelly shares his experience and insight, having directed and produced some of the world’s most successful television series, including global hits such as Amazon’s The Wheel of Time, Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla, and MGM/History’s Vikings.

Read more about the podcast here: www.filmireland.net/state-of-the-arts-podcast-ciaran-donnelly-dir-wheel-of-time-vikings-co-creator-kin-with-host-des-doyle/

Follow the journey of  State of the Arts here: https://www.instagram.com/sotapod/

Chapters:

2.37 Influences
5.00 College
11.25 Early Career in the UK
14.37 Getting Cold Feet
20.45 Getting a BAFTA
21.40 Working in the US
22.40 Directing The Tudors
26.04 Directing Camelot
26.45 The Importance of Directing a Pilot
29.05 Gaining Experience and Co-Directing Krypton
32.22 Working With Artists Like Eva Green & John Malkovich
36.06 Directing Wheel of Time
41.13 Being Producer/Director
42.30 Being a Writer
43.25 Kin
46.25 Artificial Intelligence
53.32 The Streaming Age
59.03 Current & Future Projects
1.04.05 T4 Productions
1.05.23 Creator's Choices

State of the Arts: Ciarán Donnelly (Dir: Wheel of Time, Vikings/Co-creator: Kin) with Des Doyle

In this Film Ireland podcast, Conor Bryce talks to Writer Rodney Lee & Director Bonnie Dempsey about their live-action family thriller TV series 'The Unreal'. Originally commissioned by RTE, series 2  begins airing October 26th.

In the first series, the Kelly family discovered they were actually fictional characters who had escaped from a 1980s TV sitcom into the real world. Now, one year later,  the Kellys are just trying to live a normal life. But when they visit a spooky, run-down hotel to attend an 80s Video Collectors Fair, they get more than they bargained for. Kevin catches glimpses of a ghostly boy and the family decide to go ghost-hunting. But when Kevin eventually comes face-to-face with the apparition, he makes a startling discovery; the ghost looks exactly like him! In Irish folklore, a ghostly doppelganger is known as a ‘Fetch’ and if you see one, legend has it you may soon meet a deadly fate… This is just the beginning of a supernatural comedy adventure as the Kellys uncover strange secrets, confront their fears, and fight to survive in a world where the line between real and unreal becomes increasingly blurred.

Written by Rodney Lee, directed by Bonnie Dempsey, and produced by Nuala Carr and David O’Sullivan of Dyehouse Films

Starring - Senan Jennings ( Kevin ) Joseph McKucken ( Tom ) Kathryn McKiernan ( Mary ) Kate Brady ( Katie ) with Patrick McDonnell, Daniel Nwambu ( Leo )  Lorena Montes and Don King Roganvilla

'The UnReal' Writer Rodney Lee & Director Bonnie Dempsey

Presents: 'The Unreal' Writer Rodney Lee & Director Bonnie Dempsey

In this episode of the Film Ireland Podcast, we’re celebrating filmmaking, storytelling, and cinema across the island of Ireland - with a special focus on the Belfast Film Festival, which runs from October 30th to November 8th.

We begin with Rose Baker, Head Programmer of the festival, who shares insights into this year’s exciting lineup.

Then, we’re joined by writer-director Stroma Cairns, whose moving debut feature The Son and the Sea screens at the festival. Stroma will be in Belfast for a post-screening Q&A.

The Belfast Film Festival runs 30 October – 8 November.

For the full programme, visit belfastfilmfestival.org.


Presents:  Writer/Director  Stroma Cairns on The Son and the Sea at Belfast Film Festival

In the latest episode of the State of the Arts Podcast, host filmmaker and writer Des Doyle chats with Catherine Doyle, internationally bestselling and award-winning author of The Dagger and the Flame, The Rebel And The Rose and The Storm Keeper trilogy.

Produced in partnership with Film Ireland and supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme, the State of the Arts series explores the creative processes, industry challenges, and new opportunities that both Irish and international creatives face in today’s ever-evolving artistic landscapes.

In this conversation, Doyle shares insights into her creative journey - from inspirations, to the practical aspects of building emotionally rich, imaginative worlds for young readers, to writing Romantasy books with the City Of Fantome trilogy and  co-authoring the bestselling Twin Crowns trilogy. She discusses her journey, becoming successful, and gives helpful insight into how she managed to pen 13 books in a decade.

Follow the journey of State of the Arts here: https://www.instagram.com/sotapod/

Read more about this episode here: https://www.filmireland.net/state-of-the-arts-podcast-bestselling-author-catherine-doyle-with-host-des-doyle

State of the Arts: Bestselling Author Catherine Doyle (The Dagger and the Flame) with host Des Doyle

As part of Dublin Festival of History, this lecture was organised to mark the RIA Library exhibition, Collecting Ireland’s History.

This lecture was organised in collaboration with the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland (VRTI) Library Network and explored the diverse approaches to collecting Irish historical manuscripts of the last 700 years; and the role of libraries in preserving and recovering lost materials. Focusing on materials from the Bodleian Libraries, Cambridge University Library, British Library, National Library Ireland, Trinity College Dublin and the Royal Irish Academy, the talk also addressed the themes presented in the accompanying Collecting Ireland’s History exhibition. It examined the links between private and institutional collecting and how their combined efforts are helping to reconstruct a lost archive: the Public Record Office of Ireland, destroyed on 30 June 1922.

About the speaker

Dr Sarah Hendriks is an early modern historian specialising in the socio-cultural and architectural history of Ireland and the British Isles. She has studied and worked in universities around the world including The Australian National University, The University of Oxford, The University of Cambridge, and The University of Edinburgh. At the time of recording, Sarah was Archival Discovery Research Fellow and Lead Coordinator of the Library Network for the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland.

Collecting Ireland's History Lecture

In this episode of the Film Ireland Podcast, we are delighted to once again partner with the Dinard British and Irish Film Festival, which held its 36th edition last month in the picturesque seaside town of Dinard, Brittany.

First, we chat with Dominique Green, Artistic Director of Dinard, who shares insights into the festival’s vision, programming, and what makes it such a unique event on the film calendar.
At the festival, Associate Editor Gemma Creagh caught up with writer/director Damian McCann  to talk about his gripping feature Aontas, where three unlikely women rob a rural Irish Credit Union. Listen back to their conversation for a deep dive into the film’s themes and creative process.

Finally, we sit down with writer/director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor to discuss her powerful debut feature Dreamers, exploring ambition, belonging, and the pursuit of hope.

Read more about this episode here: www.filmireland.net/podcast-a-look-back-at-dinard-british-irish-film-festival

On the Ground: A look Back at Dinard British & Irish Film Festival


In this month’s ARINS podcast, host Rory Montgomery chat to Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride about their recent ARINS publication: For and Against a United Ireland. 

The prospect of Irish unification is now stronger than at any point since partition in 1921. Voters on both sides of the Irish border may soon have to confront for themselves what the answer to a referendum question would mean - for themselves, for their neighbours, and for their society.

Journalists Fintan O'Toole and Sam McBride examine the strongest arguments for and against a united Ireland. What do the words 'united Ireland' even mean? Would it be better for Northern Ireland? Would it improve lives in the Republic of Ireland? And could it be brought about without bloodshed?

O’Toole and McBride each argue the case for and against unity, questioning received wisdom and bringing fresh thinking to one of Ireland’s most intractable questions. With cartoons by Fergus Boylan.

The book has been shortlisted for An Post Book Award 2025 - BEST IRISH-PUBLISHED BOOK OF THE YEAR. See shortlist

Book tickets to see the authors debate the strongest arguments for and against a united Ireland in The Lyric Theatre, Belfast and The National Concert Hall, Dublin in November 2025!
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This is episode 47 of a podcast series that provides evidence-based research and analysis on the most significant questions of policy and public debate facing the island of Ireland, north and south.

Host Rory Montgomery, MRIA, talks to authors of articles on topics such as cross border health co-operation; the need to regulate social media in referendums, education, cultural affairs and constitutional questions and the imperative for good data and the need to carry out impartial research.

ARINS: Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South brings together experts to provide evidence-based research and analysis on the most significant questions of policy and public debate facing the island of Ireland, north and south. The project publishes, facilitates and disseminates research on the challenges and opportunities presented to the island in a post-Brexit context, with the intention of contributing to an informed public discourse. More information can be found at www.arinsproject.com

ARINS is a joint project of The Royal Irish Academy, an all-island body, and the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies at Notre Dame's Keough School of Global Affairs. 
 



ARINS Podcast 47: For and Against a United Ireland

In this Film Ireland Podcast, we're delighted to partner with the Cork International Film Festival, which runs until the 16th of November. In this very special episode, we highlight some of the standout films in this year’s line-up. 

First, IMRO Award-winning journalist and reviewer Yuliia Riabova speaks with Aurélie Godet, Cork International Film Festival’s Director of Programming, about this year’s themes, approach, and the strong line up Irish and international films on offer.

Then filmmaker and actor Oscar O’Sullivan chats with Brendan Canty about his Irish-language documentary Gealtra.

Finally, festival correspondent Shane McDevitt sits down with director David Kittredge to discuss his film Boorman and the Devil, which documents John Boorman’s experience making The Exorcist II in Ireland. This chat was recorded after the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival earlier this year.

This podcast has been made possible with the support of Coimisiún na Meán.

Check out the full festival line up at corkfilmfest.org.

Ep. 13 Hossein Martin Fazel, “I Am Gitxsan”

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