Closing Film: Learning to Breathe Under Water

Sun 8 November | 18:00 | Pálás 1

2026 | Ireland, UK, Netherlands | 95′

Language: English

Winner of the Audience Award at the 2026 Galway Film Fleadh, Learning To Breathe Under Water is a joyous, soulful look at grief, family and friendship which was shot right here in Galway.

Leo is 8. His best friend is a giant shark that his dad (Rory Kinnear), an artist, built in their roof. Leo escapes to fantasy worlds to process his peculiar reality until a spirited au pair (Maria Bakalova) challenges him to embrace the wild, wonderful mess of real life.

We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to screen this film for you at Generation Fleadh and to be joined by the film’s producers, Heather HIggins and Ivan McMahon for a discussion afterwards.

This screening will be followed by a Q&A with producers Heather Higgins and Ivan McMahon.