Production has begun on “Baile”, an Irish-language comedy drama co-commissioned by BBC Gaeilge and TG4. Starring Marion O’Dwyer and Hazel Doupe, the film follows an unlikely friendship between Bríghid, an independent woman in the early stages of dementia, and Naomi, a young cleaner who drives her from Belfast to Donegal. The project matters as the third feature commissioned through the Gealán scheme, supporting original Irish-language cinema.

The road-trip film is being produced by Belfast-based Village Films and filmed across Northern Ireland and County Donegal. It explores memory, independence, friendship and the meaning of home, with Aideen Hand producing and directing, Paul Kennedy co-directing, and Cristina Carty writing the screenplay. The film is backed by Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund and is intended for audiences on BBC Northern Ireland, BBC iPlayer and TG4.