The Irish Film Festival Los Angeles, presented by CIACLA, returns in March for a three-day celebration of contemporary Irish cinema at Laemmle Monica Film Center, 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica.
Across one weekend, the festival presents a diverse program of feature films, documentaries, vertical cinema and Oscar-nominated short films, showcasing both established voices and emerging talent.
This year's festival showcases nine feature films, including three feature documentaries, reflecting the breadth and international reach of Irish filmmaking. Short-form cinema sits at the heart of the festival, with 30 short films screening across four carefully curated programs. The program also includes a vertical film presentation.
The 2026 program celebrates Irish-language cinema, with several Irish-language films featured across both feature and short selections. This year's lineup includes 14 women directors, alongside a wide range of voices and perspectives, including LGBTQ+ stories, documentaries and work from both emerging and established filmmakers.
The festival opens Friday, March 20, with the award-winning Horseshoe, followed by a Q&A with actor Neill Fleming. Later that evening, audiences will hear from director Donncha Gilmore following his debut feature Girls & Boys.
On Saturday, March 21, director Ronan McCloskey joins for a discussion after Éire agus na Chéad Náisiúin (Ireland and the First Nations). On Sunday, March 22, a screening of I Hope We Can Still Be Friends is followed by a Q&A with director Aisha Tyler, actor Caroline Morahan and producer Jordan Lee McGrath. The festival closes with Christy, featuring a discussion led by writer Alan O'Gorman.
Across four curated shorts programs, the festival celebrates more than 30 short films with attending filmmakers throughout the weekend.
The festival hosts three panel discussions across the weekend on topics including AI and the future of filmmaking, vertical format film and stunts in film.
Pass holders are invited to evening social events.
The festival is directed by Matthew Nevin, managed by Jenny Minniti Shippey and coordinated by Jenn McGuirk.
Senior and unemployed discounts are available. Email info@ciacla.com for details.
Tickets are on sale now at www.ciacla.com/film.
Edited by SMDP Staff