IT’S pretty damn good to walk away with four IFTA awards for your debut feature film, which also had the distinction of securing the most nominations, 14 in total across a number of categories.

It’s something that is still sinking in for director Brendan Canty following the phenomenal success of ‘Christy’ at the annual film awards.

Living in Kinsale with his wife Alya and their two young daughters for the past four years, the Ballincollig native said it was fantastic to be recognised by his industry peers for the film which he shot in Knocknaheeny in Cork city.

‘Christy’ has been winning over audiences across the world with its tender story about Christy, superbly played by Daniel Power, and his struggles with coming out of the foster care system and adjusting to living with his older brother. 

The acclaimed Kabin Crew also feature in Brendan’s poignant debut feature, which was written by Alan O’Gorman and picked up ‘Best Irish Film’ at last summer’s Galway Film Fleadh.

Christy also premiered at the Berlinale Flim Festival where it took home the Grand Prix for the Generation 14+ Programme.

Brendan said the 14 IFTA nominations which ‘Christy’ received really showcases the amazing community that worked on the film.

‘It was so cool as it was more than a film, it was a community project with a message which had a lot of first-time actors. It’s very special and it’s punching through because of that. To be validated among our peers is great too and we have received a lot of support from the Irish film industry,’ said Brendan.

He added it was great that so many of the cast and crew got up on stage when it won the coveted ‘Best Film’ award as it was probably the last time they would all share the stage together.

Winning the ‘Best Director’ award too was very special for him while the film also won two more awards for Casting as well as Editing, something he described as ‘humbling and special’ because they were recognised by the industry. 

‘Christy’ is also making inroads in Europe having been screened at several film festivals and it’s up for a LUX Audience Award organised by the European Parliament with the winner being decided by members of the public.

‘I’ve been all over Europe with the film and it’s only out now in France and Belgium. It’s funny that it’s only kicking off now which is strange to me as we shot it in August 2023. I just want people and especially young people to see it and while it’s set in Cork it has a universal theme too which will resonate with audiences.’

A graduate of multi-media at Cork’s MTU, Brendan learned how to make films by simply making music videos which reached its pinnacle with the thought provoking and wonderfully shot ‘Take me to the Church’ by Hozier almost 13 years ago.

‘I had been making videos before that for other artists but that was the one that broke through. It was also one of my first narrative videos.’

He said that iconic video really put him on the map and following its success he was able to level up and start working with bigger crews and more importantly bigger budgets. 

‘People were able to trust me more too,’ he added.

Brendan was both a close friend and collaborator with the late Eoin French having started the band Talos with him.

He directed many of their videos and collaborated with him on the artwork.

Brendan also ran the label, Feel Good Lost which put out their music as well as other releases from other notable Cork bands like Young Wonder.

He went on to make videos for artists such as Dermot Kennedy, Saint Sister and Gavin James and recently returned to music videos which involved the Kabin Crew in Cork city called ‘Fáilte Go Knocka’.

‘That was for my first documentary ‘Gaeltra’ which we made about the Kabin Studio through TG4. It was about the Irish language and the power of music and exploring the amazing work being done by Garry McCarthy at the Kabin Studio. It’s a sanctuary for a lot of children up there and it transforms lives. Gary’s recent Cork Person of the Year award is so deserving.’

Having never made a documentary before he was pleasantly surprised then when it picked up ‘Best New Irish Feature’ at the Cork International Film Festival last November.

Having taking parts in film workshops in recent years at  different  colleges, Brendan – who didn’t go to film school and learned his trade by making films – was recently selected as Film Artist in Residence in UCC.

‘I’m very DIY when it comes to film and it’s an interesting perspective which demystifies the whole process. The way I pitch to students is that that you have to work hard and with a bit of luck you can make it happen. I find it very refreshing for young filmmakers, to hear that,’ added Brendan.

‘It was really cool to be given the residency and I can come in and do talks and mentoring and I’m not lecturing or anything. I’m also doing a series of public talks too sharing my journey from music videos to short films and features.’

The residence role, while is also providing financial security for him for the year ahead suits him perfectly at the moment.

‘I’m in Cork for the year and not really shooting much so I’m focusing on writing and developing new projects.’

One of those is involving the streaming giant Netflix alongside BBC.

‘We have been given money to write the first episode for a series about the character of Robot, played by Jamie Forde in ‘Christy’, who is a member of the Kabin Crew. It’s a coming of age of story about this character who is in a wheelchair but is also a rapper and the challenges both he and his family face’.

So it’s a matter of juggling fatherhood with scripts but Brendan isn’t complaining.

Conversations coming to Kinsale Film Series 2026

Brendan and Alya have launched a new curated film series of outstanding Irish cinema and filmmaker conversations which they are bringing to Kinsale.

They begin the Kinsale Film Series with ‘Christy’ which will be screened at the Shane Fitzsimons Riverside Theatre in Kinsale Community School on Thursday March 19th at 7pm.

Following the screening, there will be a Q&A where Brendan will offer insights into his creative process and the making of ‘Christy.’

Tickets are €15 and are available from Eventbrite.ie