Generation Council:

The Generation Council is a youth advisory group composed of twelve film enthusiasts, students, and emerging creators aged 12 to 24 who collaborate with the Galway Film Fleadh team to help assemble the Generation Fleadh.
The Council assists with programming, marketing and the day-to-day running of the festival, ensuring that the festival resonates with young people and sparks conversations across generations of film lovers.

Role and Function:
Programming Guidance: Members work directly with festival organisers to make sure youth perspectives shape film selections, events, and workshops.

Voice and Outreach:
The council helps run community outreach and review panels to connect local young audiences with cinema.

Participant Representation:
The group features young participants, students, and diverse voices from across the region interested in media and the arts. Council members are invited to return each year and the remaining spaces are filled via public callout.

Our brand new Generation Council has been announced, see below:

Éabha Vesey

Éabha is a 21-year-old animator and third year film student at the University of Galway. She was first funded by RTÉ in 2022 to make a short black comedy film, and this year she has solo-completed her first feature length animated film in aid of COPE charity in Galway. She also currently produces and animates her own podcast with FlirtFM called Shot in the Dark, where she discusses current affairs and upcoming works with global film and television industry professionals every week.

Edith Anderson 

Edith Anderson is an 18-year-old film and music lover from Galway attending Colaiste Einde secondary school. When she is not playing guitar with her band Silk Road, she loves to watch old movies as well as attending the Galway Film Fleadh every summer. Her favourite films are Picnic at Hanging Rock and Nosferatu.

Jean-Ellis Gbessia

Jean is a visual development artist from Kildare, primarily working in animation. He also enjoys writing film reviews and culture pieces when he’s not painiting.

Keelan Gallagher 

Keelan Gallagher is an 18 year old 1st year Film & Digital Media student in the University Of Galway. He has experience with directing & writing short films through English & Irish & participated in the Generation Council last year aswell as this year. He spends a lot of his free time writing scripts & on photography.

Niamh Maguire

Niamh is a graduate of the University of Galway’s Film and Digital Media course. This is her second year participating in Generation Fleadh. She is an avid cinephile, with a particular love for films not in the English language, and the works of David Lynch.

Saoirse White

Saoirse is a 21-year-old aspiring film programmer and critic who is based in County Waterford, with a degree in English and Sociology. From evaluating scripts and film submissions for festivals like Northeast Independent Film Festival and Kerry International Film Festival to working hands-on in her local cinema, she is dedicated to all things movie related. Above all, Saoirse is passionate about making cinema accessible to everyone and breaking down barriers to the big screen. She’s thrilled to join the council to help build inclusive, inspiring movie spaces for young audiences!

Sulong Dang McKenna

Sulong is an 18-year-old filmmaker and director from Dublin who loves nothing more than creating, telling stories and bringing people together through film. She enjoys meeting new creatives, learning from people in the industry and discovering new perspectives. She hopes to continue making films, building connections and growing alongside the people she meets along the way.

Zach Ó Maonagrian 

Zach is a twenty-three-year-old filmmaker and writer from Galway. He has made several short films that have premiered around Ireland and has written many screenplays, theatre work and novellas. His work is inspired by his love of horror and passion for the Irish language and culture.

Zhivko Zidarov

Zhivko Zidarov is an 18-year-old Bulgarian filmmaker, who is currently a first-year student pursuing a BA in Film & Digital Media at the University of Galway. Born in Cyprus and having grown up across different cultures, he naturally brings a diverse perspective to his storytelling. Zhivko focuses on accessible filmmaking, using mobile technology to create short films that have been selected and awarded at numerous international film festivals.

Rohan Coleman

Rohan Coleman is a final year Journalism and Digital Communications student, working exclusively in film and entertainment reporting. He has reviewed films, discussed industry trends, and interviewed filmmakers across various print and digital publications, local radio, and social media. He is incredibly passionate about film, dedicating most of his free time to watching films from his endless watchlist and filling it right back up again.

Saibh Malcolm

Saibh is a young filmmaker and photographer from Galway, returning to Generation Fleadh for a second year. After finishing a diploma in Film & Television Production in 2023, she has been working on various short and feature films. Currently pursuing a degree in Astrophysics she is also working as social media manager for her University’s Drama Society.