The Galway Film Fleadh today announced that Element Pictures' The Lost Children of Tuam will receive its world premiere at the 2026 Galway Film Fleadh, with key cast and creatives in attendance.
Directed by Frank Berry (Aisha, Michael Inside) and written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz (The Salt Path, She Said), the film is based on The New York Times article ‘The Lost Children of Tuam’ by Dan Barry, published in 2017. The film features a powerful ensemble cast including award-winning Monica Dolan (Sherwood, Mr Bates vs The Post Office) who plays Catherine Corless, along with fellow cast members Andrew Bennett (God’s Creatures, The Quiet Girl) and Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones, Derry Girls).
The film tells the real life story of County Galway’s own Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in the town of Tuam, where in 2013 history enthusiast Catherine Corless uncovered the devastating possibility that as many as 796 children had been buried in unmarked graves on the property. The discovery began a campaign for justice for both victims and survivors of the home that has had a lasting impact on Ireland today.
The World Premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh marks a significant moment for Irish cinema, bringing this vital story to audiences in the West of Ireland, just a short distance from where the events took place.
Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Liam Neeson, Chelsea Morgan Hoffmann, Martina Niland and Jules Daly, Producers, said: "We are so honoured and proud to begin the journey of The Lost Children of Tuam with its World Premiere in Galway at The Fleadh and that audiences will now see this profound story of relentless pursuit and dedication in uncovering the horrific truth of the events in Tuam that shocked our nation to its core and is still reverberating in every aspect of our society. The truth will out."
Charlene Lydon, Programmer of the Galway Film Fleadh, said: "The Lost Children of Tuam is a profoundly moving and important piece of filmmaking. Frank Berry approaches this story with immense sensitivity, compassion and humanity, creating a film that honours the lives of the children and the experiences of survivors while confronting a painful chapter of our shared history. We are honoured to present its World Premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh and to provide a platform for a story that continues to resonate both in Ireland and around the world."
Frank Berry, Director, added: "We are honoured to premiere The Lost Children of Tuam at the Galway Film Fleadh, a festival that’s very close to my heart! We could not imagine a more meaningful and fitting start to the journey of this film."
Catherine Corless said: "A brilliant director, exceptional writer, multi-skilled producers and a whole team of dedicated people, have put their hearts and energy into this film, to portray the truth of what really happened in the Tuam Home. I am indebted to you all for bringing this movie to the big screen."
Liam Neeson, who optioned the rights to the New York Times article, is producer for El Paso Films, along with Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Oscar-winning Element Pictures (a Fremantle company), Jules Daly for Big Red Films, Chelsea Morgan Hoffmann and Martina Niland for Port Pictures. The film is presented by Screen Ireland and BBC Film in association with Fremantle, Coimisiún na Meán, MK2 and RTÉ with MK2 handling worldwide sales, with Volta Pictures Distribution releasing the film in Ireland.
The Lost Children of Tuam will premiere on 11 July as part of the 38th Galway Film Fleadh, which runs from 7-12 July.
