Learning to Breathe Under Water receives the Audience Award at Galway Film Fleadh

The 38th Galway Film Fleadh came to a spectacular close on Sunday evening following six days of exceptional Irish and international cinema, with the festival's coveted Audience Award presented to Learning to Breathe Under Water, directed by Rebekah Fortune and produced by Jack Tarling, Patrick O'Neill, Heather Higgins and Ivan McMahon.

Filmed entirely in Galway, the powerful coming-of-age drama proved one of the standout films of this year's festival, earning the highest audience score of the 2026 programme.

The Galway Film Fleadh once again demonstrated its unique role in championing Irish filmmaking while connecting Irish producers and filmmakers with the international industry.