Mayo studio celebrates Galway Film Fleadh premiere for Horseback
PRODUCED by Westport-based production company Western Front Studios, Horseback has been officially selected for its Irish premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh 2026 as part of the prestigious Irish Fiction 5 Shorts Programme.
Filmed on location in Westport, the film brings together local, national and international talent to tell a powerful and timely story of grief, belonging and hope.
The film will screen at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway, on Saturday, July 11, at 9.15 a.m.
Horseback was written and executive produced by Bairbre O’Toole (Fair City), alongside executive producer Liam O’Toole of Screen Show Productions. Produced by Emer Durcan and Dorothy Whittaker, directed by Mark McAuley, photographed by Western Front Studios cinematographer Brian Durcan, edited by Westport native Stephen Stanton, and featuring an original score by Natasa Paulberg (The Irish Civil War), the film stars Hilda Fay (The House of Guinness), Jeevan Basra, Mohammed Anabtawi, Abdelmonem Nassef, Sheila Moylette (Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope), Souad Alahmad, Bairbre O’Toole (Fair City) and debuting Elizabeth O’Toole.
The selection marks another significant achievement for Western Front Studios, continuing the company’s commitment to producing ambitious stories from the west of Ireland that resonate with audiences both nationally and internationally.
Set in the west of Ireland, Horseback tells the story of Ali, a young Palestinian refugee boy seeking asylum with his family. As he struggles to navigate grief and displacement, an unexpected friendship with a piebald pony and a Traveller woman offers hope, connection and the possibility of healing.
Featuring dialogue in both Palestinian Arabic and English, Horseback is a timely and deeply human story about belonging, resilience and finding light in the darkest of circumstances. Through Ali’s journey, the film explores themes of community, compassion and the transformative power of connection, while reflecting on contemporary experiences of migration and identity in Ireland.
Director Mark McAuley said: “I wanted to make this film because it feels incredibly timely. These are people, not just statistics. What is happening around the world, and especially in Palestine over the last few years, can make you feel helpless. But as an artist, telling these stories feels like I am doing something meaningful. That is the role of the artist.
“Ireland’s own history of emigration and immigration resonates deeply here, especially in a time of rising anti-immigration rhetoric both at home and abroad. My dad always taught me that it is our responsibility to help those who need it. It is our civic duty, and our responsibility as good humans.
“Having the main family in the film speak Arabic - specifically Palestinian Arabic - was essential to me. It certainly made life more difficult in terms of finding the right cast and presented challenges when directing actors in a language I do not speak. But ultimately, this is their story, and it needed to feel authentic.
“Whenever I make a film, I ask myself three questions: Is this story relevant to the world we live in today? Does it have something important to say? And will I be proud of the work? For Horseback, the answer is yes, yes and YES.”
BRINGING THE STORY TO LIFE
Writer, actress and executive producer Bairbre O’Toole conceived Horseback as a deeply personal and heartfelt story about grief, compassion and belonging. Through Ali’s journey, her screenplay explores the experiences of those forced to leave home while celebrating the healing power of kindness, friendship and community.
Developed over several years and brought to the screen by Western Front Studios, Horseback represents a significant creative achievement for O’Toole, who also appears in the film.
Bairbre said: “The journey of writing and collaborating to bring Horseback alive has been an experience I will cherish forever and be truly grateful for. To have an Irish premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh is very special. I hope audiences will be touched by it as I was watching it come to fruition.”
Executive producer Liam O’Toole added: “Filming in Westport with a cast and crew that gave such a strong commitment to its production has left us humbled and thrilled to have Horseback premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh.”
Producer Emer Durcan said: “It was amazing collaborating with Screen Show Productions on Horseback. Bairbre and Liam were an absolute joy to work with, and I am deeply grateful to them for bringing this project to Western Front Studios and allowing us the creative space to help bring it to life.
“What followed was a wonderful collaboration between talented artists, cast and crew, and I couldn’t be prouder to see the film premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh. As a Mayo-based production company, it makes it even more special to celebrate a story made here in the west of Ireland.”
Central to the production was a commitment to authentic representation. Palestinian refugee Mohammed Anabtawi makes his acting debut in Horseback, bringing his own lived experience to the role of Osman. He is joined by fellow refugee Souad Alahmad, whose participation further strengthens the film’s connection to the communities whose stories it seeks to represent.
The production employed local crew and showcased the region’s landscapes, communities and talent. The film also features children from Brackloon National School, alongside cameo appearances from well-known Westport locals Fintan Gibbons, Martina O’Malley, Kevin Nestor, Niall Quinn and Seosamh McNally, reflecting Western Front Studios’ commitment to engaging local communities in its productions.
The Galway Film Fleadh selection represents a significant achievement for everyone involved in bringing Horseback to the screen.
From the earliest stages of development through production and post-production, the film was shaped by the talent, dedication, generosity and hard work of an exceptional cast and crew.
The team has extended heartfelt thanks to every person who contributed to the project. Independent filmmaking is always a collective effort, and this selection is a reflection of the creativity, passion and commitment that everyone brought to the screen.