23/06/2026
🎬 DkIT collaboration: World premiere of SLUDGE at Galway Film Fleadh
Dundalk Institute of Technology is delighted to announce the world premiere of SLUDGE, the debut feature film from Irish writer, director and producer Sinéad Murphy, screening at the 38th Galway Film Fleadh.
📍 Pálás Cinema, Screen 1
📅 Thursday, July 9th | 15:15
Set across the rugged landscapes of County Louth and South Armagh, SLUDGE is a gripping psychological drama exploring trauma, obsession, love and survival.
The production received strong support from Dundalk Institute of Technology. Head of Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music, Dr Adele Commins facilitated access to equipment, locations and production spaces across campus, helping enable key elements of the shoot. Technicians Paul O'Hale and Liam Byrne also lent support. Lecturers Lorcan Dunne and Colm Mullen were part of the primary crew, Colm as Director of Photography and Lorcan as Lighting Director and B Camera Operator.
A number of Film & TV students and graduates also worked across camera, lighting, art, AD and grip departments, gaining invaluable real world feature film experience.
🎥 Lecturer in Cinematography & TV Studio Production, Lorcan Dunne:
"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:
"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."
A powerful example of collaboration between education, industry and community led independent filmmaking.
