DONEGAL Film Office at Donegal County Council is delighted to announce that Michael McLaughlin from Ballyliffin is the recipient of the 2026 Emerging Talent Fund.
He will receive a €10,000 grant awarded jointly by Donegal County Council and the National Creative Ireland Programme.
Established in 2003, Donegal Film Office acts as the main resource for filmmakers in Donegal and for those who wish to film in the county from all over the world, working in cooperation with Fís ÉireannScreen Ireland to help filmmakers find locations, cast and crew, technical services, and local service providers.
The Emerging Talent Fund supports an emerging writer, producer, or director based in Donegal with a €10,000 grant towards the cost of producing a short drama or documentary film of 10–12 minutes, to be shot in Donegal. The Fund is part of the National Creative Ireland Programme 2023–2027, an all-of-government initiative committed to ensuring that every person in Ireland can realise their full creative potential. It is designed to build confidence, develop skills, and equip emerging filmmakers with the production credit needed to access larger national funding and future industry opportunities.
The Fund seeks original, entertaining stories from talented filmmakers with a genuine connection to County Donegal, a county that has firmly established itself as a destination for major screen production, benefiting local crew, cast, accommodation, and services. Beyond production, the initiative nurtures long-term career development and will create opportunities for the completed film to be screened in Donegal, ensuring visibility and recognition for the filmmaker and expanding their creative and professional network.
Michael McLaughlin welcomed the award, commenting: “Receiving the Donegal Film Office Emerging Talent Grant Award as Producer of GLAMPERS is both a huge honour and a real encouragement. Independent filmmaking is always a collaborative effort, and this award is a recognition of the dedication, talent and hard work of our entire team.
“GLAMPERS is a horror film that could only be made in Donegal. Written and directed by Art and Padhraig Parkinson, and co-produced by Pearce Cullen (Figboot Productions), we’re all hugely thankful to Donegal Film Office and Creative Ireland for investing in emerging filmmakers and helping us take the next step on our journey. The landscape, language and people are at the heart of the project, and this award helps us bring that vision closer to reality.
“The support will allow us to move forward with greater ambition and confidence as we develop this Irish-language horror film here in Donegal. As a producer, my goal is to help create opportunities for local talent and ensure that stories from this part of the world can reach audiences in meaningful and exciting ways.
“Having spent many years supporting filmmakers and audiences through Disappear Here Film Festival, it means a great deal to now receive this support as a producer developing new work through my production company, Disappear Here Media. This grant award gives our team the opportunity to create an ambitious Irish-language genre film in Donegal and to continue building opportunities for filmmaking talent in the county.”
Aideen Doherty, Donegal Film Office, added: “GLAMPERS is an Irish-language horror-comedy conceived and written authentically in Irish, not adapted, and that gives it a distinct voice and real cultural depth. Donegal is home to extraordinary stories, landscapes, and talent, and the Film Office’s role is to ensure local filmmakers have the support they need to bring those stories to the screen. Film drives economic development and cultural identity here; local stories made in Donegal reach worldwide audiences and inspire people to visit.
“The Emerging Talent Fund is about building confidence, developing skills, and creating meaningful opportunities within the local industry and beyond, and this project does all of that. We are grateful to the National Creative Ireland Programme 2023–2027 for their continued support in making this possible”.