Galway shows the World what a City of Film looks like as international delegates experience poetry, music, dance, animation, games and VR at St Nicholas' Collegiate Church.
Galway's creative talent took centre stage on Monday evening as poets, musicians, dancers, animators, and game developers from Galway, Belfast, Dublin, and Sligo performed for delegates from 15 UNESCO Creative Cities of Film - the flagship event of the 2026 UNESCO Cities of Film Subnetwork Meeting.
Hosted by Ardán, and echoing to the declaration of Deputy Mayor Josie Forde that “Creative cities are built by people”, the event - 'Talent at the Centre: Building Inclusive, International and Sustainable Cities of Film' - was a demonstration to international guests as to why Galway City and County has continually attracted film-makers and TV companies.
Talent at the Centre was attended by the An t-iar-Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D Higgins, agus An t-iar-Bhean Sabina Higgins, while the UNESCO Cities of Film representatives were from Sofia, Bulgaria; Gdynia, Łódź, Poland; Bradford and Bristol, UK; Valladolid and Terrassa, Spain; Sarajevo, Bosnia; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Cannes, France; Potsdam, Germany; São Paulo, Brazil; Wellington, New Zealand; Busan, South Korea; Yamagata, Japan; and Qingdao, China.
A stage for Galway's creative talent
Inside the city's most historic building, the evening celebrated culture and creativity in Ireland, from traditional arts to cutting-edge screen technology. Poet Enda Wyley (representing Dublin City of Literature) and musician Peadar Connor (representing Belfast City of Music) joined Galway performers including the band Leatsa, the Headford Men's and Women's Choirs, and traditional Irish dancers The Reel Girls.
The city's audiovisual industry was also on show, as the UNESCO delegates were treated to a game demo by Richard Naughton; stop motion animation from Stiuideo Fia and Paul McDonnell; a VR demo by RealSim’s Gavin Duffy; live Illustrations by Olwyn The Artist; the Ceantar Scannán Short Doc Bursary 2026 Participant Demo with Aoife Delaney Reade and Ailbhe Feeney; and a highlight reel exploring 128 Years of Galway as a City of Film/ Animation Exchanges 2025-2026.
"Creative cities are built by people"
Deputy Mayor of Galway Josie Forde said the theme of the evening reflected what makes a creative city work:
"Creative cities are built by people: by young people taking their first step into filmmaking; by artists developing distinctive voices; by mentors who share experience; by communities that make space for new stories; and by international partners who are ready to listen, exchange and collaborate."
Speaking about the shared designation, she added: "Since 2014, Galway City and County have shared the UNESCO City of Film designation. It recognises our film heritage, but also gives us a responsibility: to create opportunity, support talent and keep our screen culture open, ambitious and connected."
Andrew Reddington, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, highlighted the county's role in the region's film and audiovisual sector.
"County Galway brings something distinctive to international collaboration. Talent can emerge anywhere. A young person in a small town or rural community should be able to see a pathway into film, television, animation or games. That pathway may begin with a local workshop, a bursary, a mentor, a community screening, an Irish-language project or the chance to meet someone from another creative city."
He said the designation gives the city and county "a shared international platform" and encourages them "to look forward: to support talent, strengthen creative infrastructure and connect local practitioners with opportunities beyond the region." He added: "Our responsibility is to make those first opportunities visible and accessible, and to help people progress from local participation to sustainable creative careers."
Four days showcasing Galway
The evening capped a four-day programme. Delegates visited locations around the county and met local industry representatives, including TG4, Danú Media and Fíbín Media.
Alan Duggan, CEO of Ardán, said: “Over four days, we put Galway in front of a global audience, and they saw exactly what this city and county can offer film, television and the wider AV industry. Delegates visited our locations, met industry leaders including TG4, Danú Media and Fíbín Media, and saw our creatives at work at St Nicholas'.
“Galway has a long tradition of storytelling, and this week showed a city where creativity, language and community come together. Creativity connects people across borders, and our job is to make sure these international partnerships open doors for local talent and local communities."
Guests at St Nicholas' included Galway City Council Chief Executive Leonard Cleary; Lorna Baek, Acting/Director of Services representing Galway County Council; Brian Barret, Head of Economic Development and Culture at Galway City Council; City Arts Officer Ruth Mulhern; and County Arts Officer Sharon O'Grady. Members of Ardán's Board and team attended, along with representatives of Screen Ireland, Culture Ireland, TG4, Gréasán na Meán Skillnet, CREW, University of Galway, Galway Film Fleadh & Fair, Science on Screen, local production companies, Galway filmmakers and City of Film alumni.