A FILM which was written and directed by a local man took centre stage at a prestigious film festival this week.
‘Our House’ was selected to open the 2026 Galway Film Fleadh yesterday (Tuesday).
The Galway Film Fleadh is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s most important film festivals and has been described as “providing a vital platform for new and emerging voices in Irish and international cinema”.
‘Our House’ was written and directed by Crossgar man Peter Young and is produced by Callum Harrison.
It stars Michael Shea (‘Blue Lights’), Hannah McClean (‘Blue Lights’) and Andy Doherty (‘A Bump Along the Way’) as three estranged siblings who reunite at the family home for their late mother’s wake, prompting an inheritance battle that turns deadly.
The film is supported by Northern Ireland Screen and Yellowmoon through the New Talent Focus scheme, which continues to develop and champion emerging Northern Ireland filmmaking talent, helping resident creative teams move from short-form work into feature filmmaking.
“Callum and I began developing ‘Our House’ three years ago and we’re so proud of what it’s become,” Peter said.
“We were blessed to have a cast and crew comprised of the best emerging talent the north has to offer.
“Thank you to the Fleadh for this prestigious screening, and to Village Films and Northern Ireland Screen for all their support.”
He added: “We’re incredibly honoured to be opening this year’s Galway Film Fleadh. The programme puts us in fantastic company with the films screening this year and will prove the perfect launching pad for ‘Our House’.”
Northern Ireland Screen has said it is delighted this year’s Galway Film Fleadh opened with ‘Our House’, adding that it placed a Northern Ireland project “at the heart of one of the festival’s most high-profile moments”.
Richard Williams, chief executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said: “We are delighted to see ‘Our House’ selected to open this year’s Galway Film Fleadh.
“This is a significant moment for Peter, Callum and the wider creative team, and a strong endorsement of the calibre of new filmmaking talent emerging from Northern Ireland.
“The New Talent Focus scheme was designed to give resident writers, directors and producers the opportunity to make that crucial first feature, and ‘Our House’ is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when emerging talent is supported to take that next step.”
Peter is also nominated for the Bingham Ray New Talent Award at the Fleadh.
He has already made a number of short films, the latest of which, ‘Pub House’, played at BFI’s London Film Festival.
Through Northern Ireland Screen’s Director Shadowing scheme, he had the opportunity to shadow director Chris Baugh on Channel 4 thriller series ‘In Flight’ and Brad Anderson on dystopian sci-fi feature ‘Worldbreaker’, before embarking on his feature debut.
