DkIT film team part of Dundalk thriller set to premiere at Galway Film Fleadh
A Dundalk-made independent thriller, created with the support of local students, lecturers, technicians and the local community, is set to make its world premiere at this year's 38th Galway Film Fleadh, taking place from the 7th-12th July.
Galway Film Fleadh is a week-long international film festival taking place every July. Founded in 1989 as a platform for Irish filmmakers to exhibit their work to their peers, the event aims to be a platform for the boldest new films, and to bring audiences & filmmakers from around the world together, to celebrate our shared passion for film.
The world premiere of Sludge, written, directed and produced by Dundalk filmmaker Sinéad Murphy, will take place on 9 July.
Set across the rugged landscapes of County Louth and South Armagh, the gripping psychological drama showcases the strength of local collaboration, with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) staff and students playing a significant role in bringing the project to the screen.
Produced outside of the traditional funding system, Sludge was part financed through community support and crowdfunding, demonstrating the strength of local engagement with independent filmmaking.
The production received support from a number of local organisations. This included staff and students from the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), who played a huge role in the production, giving both their time and skills towards the finished product.
During the summer of 2024, production lecturers Colm Mullen and Lorcan Dunne joined the production crew, with Colm serving as Director of Photography and Lorcan as Lighting Director and B-Camera Operator on a voluntary basis.
DkIT’s Dr Adele Commins provided access to essential equipment and facilitated the use of filming locations within the P.J. Carroll Building and the Nursing Building, while Audio Visual Technicians Paul O'Hale and Liam Byrne offered vital technical support and expertise throughout the filming process, helping to ensure the smooth operation of the shoots.
Several students and graduates from the Film and Television programme took on key roles across the camera, lighting, art, AD and grip departments. The production provided a valuable real-world learning experience, offering opportunities that are difficult to replicate within a classroom environment. Over the initial three weeks of filming, students gained practical skills, industry knowledge and hands-on experience working as part of a professional film crew.
Lecturer Lorcan Dunne commented:
"This was a local filmmaker making a local film, and it made perfect sense for us to support the project. It was an intense shoot, and students had to learn quickly and step in whenever required, which is fairly typical of what happens on a film set. They all gained a huge amount from the experience and learned first-hand how a real film production operates, with all the energy, creativity, problem-solving and occasional madness that comes with it. It's the kind of experience that simply can't be fully replicated in a classroom."
Lecturer and Cinematographer, Colm Mullen added:
"One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was seeing how a local film could bring together so many different parts of the community. Students, lecturers, artists, technicians and volunteers all contributed towards a shared creative goal. The educational value of that experience is immeasurable, but beyond that, it shows what can happen when communities invest in the arts. To have Sludge selected for its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh is a huge milestone for everyone who worked tirelessly on the film and a fitting recognition of the passion and commitment that went into making it."
Although Sludge is making its debut on a national stage in Galway, the film's foundations are firmly rooted in Dundalk, where the support of local organisations, students and volunteers helped transform an independent vision into a feature film.
