Fresh from its Best Independent Irish Film win at the Galway Film Fleadh 2025, Girls & Boys is coming to cinemas on the 19th of September. Let’s get out and support homegrown stories and the artists making them happen.

Critics are already singing the film’s praises…
• “Casts a Before Sunrise-like glow of romantic possibilities” — Screen International
• “A beguiling film that works wonders” — Donald Clarke, The Irish Times

We spoke with Donncha Gilmore, writer/ director of Girls & Boys:

“Girls & Boys was a labour of love, an independent film that was in the works for many years before the cameras were rolling. Fishpond was the only casting site we used when we were trying to find our terrific cast and they were an invaluable resource.”

Congratulations to Donncha, and all the cast and crew.

• Director / Writer / Casting: Donncha Gilmore
• Producer: Gearóid Gilmore
• Cast: Liath Hannon, Adam Lunnon-Collery, Francis O’Mahony, Oisín Flynn, Joe McGucken, Justin Ensor

Step into the story that’s winning audiences over – watch the trailer here and see below for a summary.

“On Halloween night in Dublin, rugby player Jace meets aspiring filmmaker Charlie at a college party. They both attend Trinity but come from different worlds. Charlie is trans, many of her friends are queer and involved in the arts, while Jace mostly hangs out with other straight guys from his team or business course.

Despite their differences, they strike up a connection. After the party is abruptly broken up by the Guards, they continue getting to know each other while wandering around nighttime Dublin, reminiscing and sharing their dreams and concerns for life after college.

When a startling connection from their shared past is revealed, Jace is forced to reckon with long-buried actions, and the social identity he’s taken for granted.”