Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Named
Spirit Partner To The IFTA Awards

Redbreast, the world’s most awarded single pot still Irish whiskey*, announces a three year partnership with IFTA, becoming the sponsor of the IFTA Short Film Award category and the official Spirit Partner of the IFTA Awards for 2026, 2027 and 2028. The three-year collaboration builds on the success of the launch of ‘Redbreast Unhidden’ with Andrew Scott at SXSW Film & TV Festival® and The Cork International Film Festival (CIFF) in November 2025, shining a light on films and filmmakers that deserve to be discovered.

The Short Film Award Category: ‘Redbreast Unhidden,’ part of Redbreast’s global ‘Quite the Find’ campaign, aims to help audiences across the globe celebrate original storytelling and the thrill of discovering hidden gems, just like that first sip of Redbreast Irish Whiskey. This latest partnership with IFTA underscores the brand's commitment to championing emerging talent and authentic voices.

Quote from Muirne Laffan, IFTA Board Member:

“IFTA is delighted to partner with Redbreast as the Sponsor of IFTA’s Redbreast Short Film Award category. Our IFTA short film winners in the past have gone on to great international success over the years, garnering a number of Oscar nominations too. And what an incredible lineup of short films we have nominated this year, putting the spotlight on superb Irish storytelling and filmmaking. Many of these films have well known actors and filmmakers attached, which reflects the respect and importance of short-form filmmaking in Irish storytelling”.

The IFTA shortlisted Nominations for the Redbreast Short Film award are: Nostalgie, No Mean City, No Time Wasters, Punt, The Ban, and Three Keenings.

One of the shorts was directed by Kathryn Ferguson, filmmaker of the award-winning Sinead O’Connor documentary Nothing Compares. Another short has high-profile Executive Producers including actors Ciarán Hinds - this year’s IFTA Lifetime Achievement recipient - and Barry Ward. A number of well-known Irish talent appear across the shorts, including Aidan Gillen, Peter Coonan, Jessica Reynolds, Michael Smiley and Seamus O’Hara.

Nostalgie

Directed by Kathryn Ferguson (Nothing Compares) starring Aidan Gillen (Game Of Thrones), Sean Kearns, Seamus O'Hara (Oscar winning - An Irish Goodbye), Jessica Reynolds (Kneecap), Drew Lord Haig. The story follows a washed-up '80s one-hit-wonder turned IT entrepreneur, who is stunned when a Belfast battalion invites him to perform at their centenary celebration. Flattered and intrigued, Drew accepts, hoping to relive his glory days and recapture his youth. Instead, he encounters a disturbing truth that changes everything.

No Mean City

Directed by Ross McClean. Two workmen and an apprentice drive through Belfast at night, replacing old sodium street lights with LED. Beneath their glow, the city grapples with change, as progress marches on.

No Time Wasters

Directed by Tara O'Callaghan, starring Peter Coonan, Ellie Mejia and Grainne Keenan. A student on the brink of homelessness seeks refuge with a seemingly kind couple, only to be confronted with an impossible proposition that threatens her safety and dignity.

Punt

Written and directed by Nicky Larkin, produced by Alanna Riddell Bond and starring Abigail McGibbon, Michael Smiley (Bad Sisters) and Gary Lydon (The Guard). In the shadow of the 1994 World Cup, a heartbroken woman returns to the island of her happiest memory to end her life. But when her pay-as-you-go meter runs out, a coin hunt with the local drunk leads to an unlikely bet: Ireland to qualify.

Three Keenings

Directed by Oliver McGoldrick and starring Seamus O'Hara (Oscar winning - An Irish Goodbye), Sean Kearns and Carol Moore. A struggling actor finds himself in the unconventional role of a professional mourner. As he tours the Northern Irish countryside, his mask of apathy begins to slip amongst the humour and heartache of a local funeral

The Ban

Directed by Roisin Agnew. During the conflict in the north of Ireland a practice developed that saw actors hired to dub those associated with the IRA on broadcast media. Via unseen archive footage and present-day interviews with key figures such as Gerry Adams and Stephen Rea, The Ban reflects on the British government's use of the threat of 'terrorism' to justify censorship, drawing inevitable comparisons with the present.

The IFTA Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday 20th of February 2026 at The Dublin Royal Convention Centre, Dublin, Ireland. Redbreast will host a series of high-profile activations designed to engage filmmakers, industry leaders, and audiences. This year, IFTA will include a beautifully curated cocktail selection from Redbreast as part of its pre and post receptions alongside its champagne and other beverage offerings. Guests will enjoy a luxurious arrivals experience with bespoke cocktails in an elegant space designed to toast the art of film.

"As the world’s most awarded single pot still Irish whiskey, Redbreast is built on a legacy of unparalleled craftsmanship and complexity," said Emma Waldron at Irish Distillers, maker of Redbreast Irish Whiskey. “It is this dedication to character and quality that we champion through our creative partnerships. Following the fantastic launch of ‘Redbreast Unhidden’ with our brand ambassador Andrew Scott at SXSW and CIFF 2025, we are delighted to be bringing the platform to The IFTAs. Together, we will continue to explore the rich narratives and authentic craft that define both exceptional filmmaking and extraordinary Irish whiskey.”