Brendan is one of Ireland’s most exciting directors breaking through in 2014 with Hozier’s 'Take Me to Church', which amassed over a billion views. He has directed several striking music videos and acclaimed commercials since then. His current film work includes the feature film Christy, winning awards in 2025 at Berlinale and the Galway Film Fleadh. His documentary Gealtra recently won Best Irish Feature at the Cork International Film Festival, and in the same year, was selected by The Guardian as one of the best directors of 2025, marking him as a major voice in contemporary Irish cinema.
Christy (2010, 4 mins), directed by Brendan Canty and written by Alan O’Gorman, follows a 16 year old school dropout attending a job interview. Let down by his brother, he lashes out and turns to friends for support.
Christy (2025, 94 mins) expands the story into a feature about two estranged brothers forced to live together. When 17-year-old Christy (Danny Power) leaves foster care, he moves in with his older brother Shane (Diarmuid Noyes), who lives with his partner (Emma Willis) and new baby in Cork’s Knocknaheeny. As Christy reconnects with troublesome cousins and forms new friendships, the brothers confront shared trauma and choices about the future. Brendan Canty’s award winning film Christy is tinted with grief, joy and humour.
Fastnet has won Best Festival Experience 2025 at the West Cork Business & Tourism Awards 🏆
This award belongs to our amazing community, volunteers, local businesses, and festival goers who make Fastnet what it is.
Thank you for always bringing the magic
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