Captivating premieres at both the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) in the spring as well as the Galway Film Fleadh in the summer have lined up an exciting Irish film season for the fall of 2026. From revelatory biopics to moving documentaries to features with recognized favorites to Irish Language films, here are four anticipated Irish films set to be released this fall.
The Lost Children of Tuam (Frank Berry, 2026)
Frank Berry’s biopic of amateur historian Catherine Corless (Monica Dolan) remains one of the most anticipated Irish films set to be released this fall. The film explores Corless’s tireless investigation into a Catholic infant and mother home and her discovery of almost 800 babies buried in an unmarked grave. Produced by Liam Neeson with a script largely stemming from a 2017 New York Times article of the same name, the film has earned widespread praise for its thoughtful handling of a sensitive subject. The film won top honors at the Galway Film Fleadh in July, taking home Best Irish Film along with a plethora of positive reviews. “The Lost Children of Tuam” is set to be released on September 25th.
Try! (Oisín Mistéil, 2026)
“Try!”, directed by Oisín Mistéil, promises to be, in the words of The Hollywood Reporter, “a mix of full-contact action, joy, and belonging”. Winner of Best Irish Feature Documentary at the Galway Film Fleadh, the film follows not one but four Irish teams on their journey to the Mixed Ability Rugby World Cup. “Try!” screens at the IFI Documentary Festival on September 24th, with a post screening Q&A with Mistéil. The official theatrical release is booked for October 2nd, 2026.
The Slightest Touch (Rachel Fliet, 2026)
Winner of the Best Documentary Award at DIFF, “The Slightest Touch” tells the story of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) survivor Emma Fogarty, who at 40—an age doctors never expected her to reach—runs the Dublin Marathon with her long-time friend Colin Farrell. EB is a rare genetic disease that leaves those affected with skin that blisters and tears easily; a simple touch to Fogarty’s skin can leave her bruised for days. The documentary follows the enduring friendship between Fogarty and Farrell, as well as Fogarty’s remarkable resilience. Snapped up by HBO even before its premiere at DIFF, “The Slightest Touch” is scheduled to arrive on the small screen sometime later this year.
Cill Stuifín (Kev L. Smith, 2026)
Renowned underwater cinematographer Kev L Smith brings the documentary form to a much more mythical subject, utilizing his particular set of skills to explore the myth of Cill Stuifín; a village off the coast of West Clare believed to have been swept away by the sea. Was it a freak wave that did this? Or a curse? Smith explores the local legend by interviewing geologists, marine biologists, and folklorists to uncover the truth behind the myth. Meanwhile, big wave surfers attempt a conquest of their own in the tumultuous waves over the reefs that guard the site. The film won Best Irish Language Film at the Galway Film Fleadh and will be screened at the IFI along with a director Q&A on September 8th as a part of the Institute’s Irish Focus programme. The film will have its domestic release on October 13th.
