Judging:

Each category is judged by a professional working industry panel made up of established directors, producers, creative directors, cinematographers etc. The panel awards a winner, a runner up and if justified, a special mention in each of the categories, as long as they feel the work is deserving of this recognition.

In addition to the coveted EDA Ireland award, we are absolutely delighted to announce that the EDA Ireland winners from each of the directors categories will have automatic entry into the prestigious Young Directors Awards at Cannes.

The YDA at Cannes was established over 25 years ago and pioneered the awards platform recognising and showcasing emerging directors. We are very excited to put our directors on their international stage as well as at home.

2025 JUDGES

Karina Cotter

Senior Producer

Karina has been a part of the Droga5 Production team for nearly ten years, with extensive experience across major international brands including LEGO, Guinness and White Claw. With a grá for productions big and small, Karina has a distinct passion for connecting with talent that bring a fresh perspective and a different approach. Karina loves production so much, she even produces film in her spare time.

Darragh Carey

Writer and Director.

As an agency creative he has written AV campaigns for TG4, DAA and FBD at Publicis, for Beats by Dre at R/GA and for Nike at Weiden+Kennedy. This work has been awarded at ICAD, Kinsale Sharks, EPICA, British Arrows, One Show and Cannes Lions. He has directed spots for Special Olympics Ireland, RTÉ and The Marie Keating Foundation. A Brixton Tale, a feature film he co-wrote and co-directed, was released in UK cinemas in 2021 and is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

EMMA FOLEY

Emma Foley is a rising filmmaker from Ireland, who has transitioned from a successful career in producing film and TV to establish herself as an award-winning writer and director.

Her short film Sound & Colour, starring Alison Oliver (known for Saltburn and Conversations with Friends), has garnered significant attention on the festival circuit, with screenings at SXSW, the BFI London Film Festival, and the Galway Film Fleadh. The film was nominated for an IFTA and won the EDA Award for Best Short Film in 2024. Most recently, Emma received the prestigious YDA Gold Screen Award at the Cannes Lions Festival for her work on the film.

Emma has been mentored by two leading figures in the industry: Ed Guiney (producer of Poor Things and The Favourite) for producing, and Aisling Walsh (director of Maudie and Song for a Raggy Boy) for directing. She is currently developing her debut feature film and is represented by the Curtis Brown Agency.

In 2018, Emma co-founded Pale Rebel Productions with Tamryn Reinecke. The production company has been behind several notable works, including the feature films Redemption of a Rogue and It Is In Us All (starring Cosmo Jarvis, Shogun), as well as the limited series Maxine.

Derek Ugochukwu

Named one of Ireland's Rising Stars and listed in the Irish Times' "50 People to Watch in 2025," Derek Ugochukwu is a writer/director based in Dublin. His directorial debut short, You're Not Home, garnered an IFTA nomination and screened at several Oscar and BAFTA qualifying festivals, including Sitges, SXSW, Galway Fleadh, and Encounters. He is currently developing his feature script with Screen Ireland.

Sinead Bagnall

Sinead is the Head of Screen Scene’s Commercial's Department. Boasting over two decades of experience in Post-Production, she has a long-proven track record, with a wealth of experience. Sinead has worked alongside a variety of Irish & International directors, creatives & producers on various high-end campaigns. She promotes an excellent standard on picture, sound and vfx work resulting in many awards for her creative team.

Sinead is passionate about supporting and nurturing new talent in our creative industry. She loves nothing more than the excitement of creating a world of possibilities from a single idea or storyline.

JUDGES 2025