Documentary
Disconnected is a compelling documentary that delves into the psychological and social impacts of social media and video game consumption. Directed and edited by 16-year-old Irish filmmaker Sol Stuart, this thought-provoking film sheds light on the science behind digital…


Sol Stuart
Colm Prole

Presenter
Interviewee

By the dawn of the 21st century, hip-hop sales had reached an all-time high, but one thing has remained the same. The doors were still locked, and the music industry held the keys. Young artists began to self-market on the Internet, ultimately helping to collapse the music industry as we knew it. It’s Yours explores how it became possible to become a rap star through a Twitter account, YouTube site or Myspace page. It tells this story through the unique perspectives of numerous artists, producers, record industry insiders, and music and cultural critics.

Conor McGregor is the biggest star in the history of Mixed Martial Arts. Filmed over the course of 4 years, Notorious is the exclusive, all-access account of Conor’s meteoric rise from claiming benefits and living in his parents' spare room in Dublin to claiming multiple championship UFC belts and seven figure pay-packets in Las Vegas.

Squirrelly Man follows the journey of Teddy Treadwell, a young Squirrel Enthusiast who stays in the local park district trying to protect the squirrels. Teddy finds himself spending many summers with the squirrels before he makes the mistake of sticking his head near a trash can. When this occurs, Teddy is attacked by a squirrel and needs to be taken to the hospital as soon as possible.

Standout tells the powerful story of Ben Kjar, born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare craniofacial disorder. From birth, doctors warn that his life will be overshadowed by limitations. Ben yearns for an ordinary life free from the harsh scrutiny he faces daily. However, each experience of adversity, including relentless bullying and a series of painful surgeries, ignites a fire within him. Wrestling becomes his proving ground, a place where he learns to transform his facial difference into a source of power. Determined to succeed, he pushes himself relentlessly, breaking through physical, social, and even romantic barriers that once seemed insurmountable. But as unexpected challenges arise and ridicule resurfaces, Ben finds himself at a defining crossroads: fade into the background of a “normal” life, or fully embrace his unique path and boldly stand out.

A transformative experience, this emotional documentary addresses some of the most pressing issues of the 21st century, reflecting on happiness, social connection, daily life, death, and aging, while exploring doubts about the "word of a thousand shades and somewhat perverse" concept of success. This film has the potential to change your life and your perspective on the true meaning of success. An intimate reflection on success, it features María Teresa Paniagua, a joyful and unique octogenarian Zarzuela singer. The documentary offers surprising insights from interviews with notable figures from the worlds of art, science, and intellectual thought, including actress Rossy de Palma, philosophers Fernando Savater and Javier Sádaba, tenor Plácido Domingo, monk Matthieu Ricard, psychiatrist Martin Seligman, Harvard professor Nancy Etcoff, and TED Talk speaker and writer Victor Küppers, among others. This documentary is a balm for the soul.