Youghal: The Home of First Cut

Youghal, the most easterly town in Co. Cork, is known to be a gem in Ireland’s Ancient East. It is also the home of First Cut! Youth Film Festival. This beautiful seaside town, packed with historical interest, has been host to the festival since 2014. In that time, it has become far more than just a festival venue – it is part of the very fabric of First Cut. The massive support from Youghal audiences and the hugely generous local business sponsorship that the festival receives year after year is matched only by the consistent participation of Youghal’s wonderful young people as volunteers, festival goers and, in many cases, budding filmmakers. This is the grassroots lifeblood of First Cut.

Youghal || Drone footage || DJI Phantom 4 by James McCarthy

The Regal Cinema

The Regal Cinema, Youghal is First Cut’s main venue. It opened its doors in the summer of 1936. The first film shown at the cinema was the Irving Berlin musical Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginder Rogers. The Regal has been an integral part of the East Cork community since its opening and many locals have spent time working there. It has recently undergone and extensive transformation. The new owners have worked hard to retain as much of the existing heritage and history of the cinema throughout the works while adding modern comforts and facilities. The cinema is of huge importance to the people of Youghal. regalcinema.ie

The Regal Cinema

FCYFF is pleased to also be holding screenings the year in The Mall Arts Centre, a spectacular venue overlooking the ocean that would make any event a memorable one!

And to find out more about Youghal, please visit youghal.ie This website contains a wealth of information about accommodation, dining and other activities for visitors.

First Cut Friends & Sponsors 2025

A big thank to the local businesses that have advertised in our 2025 festival brochure – you are our besties!

Friends 2025

Youghal Rotary Club
Brookes SuperValu
Goodness Me Health Store
Hegarty Properties Midleton
Clockgate Pharmacies
Living Youghal
Youghal Sports & Leisure Bike Shop
The Red Store
C.G. Motherway Accountants
Doyle’s Traditional Takeaway
Global Forwarding Ireland Ltd.
The Walter Raleigh
Chill – Ices and Slices
Boardwalk Café
Youghal Pharmacy
Coleman Footwear
Ballymaloe
Alan Prim Books

The support of the local business community is hugely appreciated by the festival, without their support First Cut! would not be possible. To become a friend of the festival, please email firstcutfilm@gmail.com or phone +353 86 813 9019.

Funders

A very special thank you to our main funders The Arts Council of Ireland and Cork County Council, to Cork Education and Training Board, to Cork Credit Unions, our ‘Animania’ sponsors Youghal Credit Union, and our festival partner Cork International Film Festival.

A sincere thank you to everyone who helps make First Cut happen.

First Cut Youth Advisory Council 2025

Huge gratitude to the wonderful Youth Advisory Council for their precious time, energy and ideas. The 2025 Council members are: Adrian Corzo, Aislinn Cuffe, Mark Delaney, Tara Desmond, Muireann Forde, Orlanne Jallet, Bowie McInerney, Thomas McNamara, Ellen Murray, Nora Twomey, Ewan McCarthy, Aisling Collins, Kirsten Grobler.  

The First Cut Team

Mary McGrath – Executive Festival Director; Lisa O’Brien – Festival Manager & Animania Coordinator; Max Le Cain – Artistic Director & YMVC Coordinator; Ineke Lavers – Communications Coordinator & Administrator; Tara Murphy – Festival Strategy Consultant; Chris Hurley – Cork Film Centre: Technical Consultant & Cork Young Filmmakers Programme; Ayoola Smart – Festival Patron; Jamie Hanrahan – Website Design; Kara Sweeney – Festival Video Documentation; Kieran O’Connor – Programme and Poster Design.

Volunteers

Everybody involved in this not-for-profit festival volunteers valuable time and energy to make it happen. Thank you!

For enquiries or to become a Friend of the Festival:

T: +353 86 813 9019 E:  firstcutfilm@gmail.com

First Cut Trustees

Linda Curtin, John McCarthy, Kate O’Connor, Toirdealbhach Ó Lionáird.

First Cut Youth Film Festival is a registered charity CHY NO: 20106652