The rise and rise of West Cork Film Studios: Jimmy will put Skibbereen on the map but there’s plenty more to come in 2026 according to its directors...

THE biggest production ever undertaken here – the Hollywood blockbuster Jimmy – will put us on the map, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg, a Skibbereen-based operation has predicted.

Five movies were shot in West Cork Film Studios in 2025 and its directors insisted that there are plenty more to come in 2026.

‘We have built it and they are coming,’ Édaín O’Donnell, one of the founders and directors of WCFS, told us. ‘We are so grateful to the producers that have brought these films to West Cork, especially Dublin-based producer John Norton, who brought three of these films to our studios.’

Édaín recapped the 2025 films in chronological order, culminating with Jimmy, the bio pic of Hollywood icon Jimmy Stewart.

First up was Love of The Irish for Hallmark, which was directed by Ali Lieber, and stars Shenae Grimes-Beech, Stephen Hagan and Moira Kelly.

Then came The Body is Water, by Cork writer and director Vicky Wight, which had a star-studded cast including the late Isiah Whitlock, Aunjanue Ellis Taylor, Eva Birthistle, Bronagh Gallagher, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Saoirse Monica Jackson, Stephen Rea, Allen Leech, Aidan Quin, Brendan Conroy, Jean Law, Carol O Reilly and Fionnula Flanagan.

Third was Hokum written and directed by Bantry’s Damian McCarthy, starring Adam Scott, David Wilmott, Peter Coonan, Florence Ordesh, and Austin Amelio.

Every Body Digs Bill Evans, directed by Grant Gee, and written by Owen Martell and Mark Halloran, featured another stellar cast including Hollywood A-lister Bill Pullman, Laurie Metcalf, Anders Danielson, Barry Ward, Katie McGrath.

But it was Jimmy, written by Justin Strawhand, directed by Aaron Burns and starring KJ Apa, Christopher McDonald, Sarah Drew, Jason Alexander, Neal McDonough, Max Casella, Rob Riggle, Kara Killmer, Jen Lilley and Julian Works that garnered the most publicity for WCFS and West Cork.

Filming began in September on the biopic which chronicles James Stewart’s decision to become acombat pilot. The film is due for release in November 2026. At least 1,000 extras await the release of the movie, which explores Stewart’s life from his Oscar win to his World War II service as a bomber pilot.

Édaín said the directors have all been extremely impressed by the standards of the extras on film and on set.

‘We want to nurture this community of Cork talent, and with that in mind we have organised the renowned casting agent and acting coach, Maureen Hughes, to give a week of masterclasses at the studio during January, and just before Christmas Wesley O’Duinn hosted an intensive acting workshop.’

Jimmy was shot at a variety of locations including Castletownsend and Glandore, and Édaín said they would encourage people to embrace the idea of having their property being used as a film location. 

‘Just come forward and let us know because we are constantly adding locations to our database, and the more options we have the more projects we can attract.’

WCFS is rapidly building its local film crew. ‘With each project the percentage of local crew increases, which is attracting more projects to West Cork, so, at the end of every production, several incoming crew members, actors, cinematographers, directors and producers fall in love with beautiful West Cork and start looking out for houses,’ said Édaín.

‘There are some departments we need to keep building, for example, sparks [film electricians], gaffers [lighting technicians], and riggers.’

Some trainees come in through The National Talent Academies programme - Passport to Production - and also through apprenticeships and work experience.

Jimmy director Aaron Burns and David Putnam.

Although everyone is taking a well-earned post-Christmas break, the director explained that they already have four films, and a series, ‘circling’.

One exciting project in the pipeline is by Jeff Swampy Marsh, an animator and voice actor who lives between Baltimore and Los Angeles. ‘He not only has a script in development to be shot in West Cork, he is also is writing a specific story for Skibbereen,’ Édaín revealed to The Southern Star.

Meanwhile Robert Sheehan, who also has a home in West Cork, has a script in development with a plan to have it made at WCFS.

Édaín said the team had visited Pinewood Studios in London and hoped to build on relationships, adding: ‘We are currently in the process of hosting a number of location scouts to the area for US-based producers and directors for projects that are looking seriously at West Cork as a potential base in 2026.’

The tight team of studio directors at WCFS also have the skillset to work in the areas of art and design, construction, marine and accounts, all of which provides a solid local base and support system for the visiting production teams.

A Percival Pembroke plane used during filming.

As anticipation for Jimmy builds following the release of the first trailer, West Cork is now a talking point in the international film community and in the US in particular.

Édaín cites their great mentor, David Putnam, who lives just minutes away, and the succession of actors and producers with a base in Cork including Jeremy Irons, Sinead Cusack, Robert Sheehan, Paul Mescal, Saoirse Ronan, Eanna Hardwicke and Lenny Abrahamson.

Édaín is quick to praise the world famous Fastnet Film Festival in Schull, and the International Cork Film Festival, both of which attract film lovers from all over the world.

She said the budgets on the projects completed in West Cork would range from €3 million up to €14 million, the vast majority of which would be spent locally and nationally.

‘The greater economic impact has to be the influx of production teams and crew,’ she added. Meanwhile, WCFS’s directors plan further investment in the studios during 2026 in order to improve and expand their range of options.

Businesses are benefiting from the success of WCFS including local accommodation providers, restaurants and bars, as well as paint and hardware
stores. Édaín stressed: ‘It is important that [everyone] work together to provide the services and goods needed at a reasonable rate. We all have a role to play to sustain this industry. ’