Éiru Films Co-Founder Heather Higgins Nominated for Bingham Ray New Talent Award

The Galway Film Fleadh has announced the nominees for the 2026 Bingham Ray New Talent Award, one of the festival’s most prestigious honours celebrating emerging voices in Irish filmmaking.

Named in memory of the late Bingham Ray, the influential independent film distributor and champion of emerging talent, the award recognises exceptional new Irish filmmakers, actors, writers, producers and craftspeople whose work is making a significant impact on the screen industry.

Co-founder of Éiru Films Heather Higgins is amongst the nominees, who represent an outstanding cross-section of Ireland’s creative talent, spanning directing, producing, acting, writing and cinematography. Their work has premiered at leading international festivals including Sundance, TIFF, Sheffield DocFest, Visions du Réel and Cannes Lions, while collectively showcasing the strength and diversity of contemporary Irish filmmaking.

Heather Higgins is a producer, film executive, and film entrepreneur based in Galway. She has served as Director of Development at the Academy Award®-qualifying Galway Film Fleadh for over a decade, a role she credits with inspiring her passion for Irish film and supporting emerging talent. Through Éiru Films, Heather is developing a growing slate of film and television projects, including the Irish-language series Ar Ais Arís with Tailored Films. She is also co-producer of Learning to Breathe Underwater, which is screening as part of this year’s Galway Film Fleadh. Her nomination for the Bingham Ray New Talent Award recognises her growing contribution to the Irish screen industry and her commitment to championing new voices and distinctive Irish storytelling. 

You can read about all the 2026 Bingham Ray New Talent Award nominees by clicking here.