A short film shot in County Monaghan has won the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the 2026 Dublin International Film Festival.
Molly & The Robot, directed by Monaghan filmmaker Táine King, received the award following its screening at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin during this year’s festival.
The award is voted for directly by audiences and recognises the film that resonated most strongly with viewers.
Shot in the countryside outside Castleblayney, Molly & The Robot is a visually driven science fiction fable about grief, connection and survival in a post apocalyptic world.
Táine King was also selected as a nominee for the Dublin International Film Festival Discovery Award, which recognises emerging Irish filmmaking talent, for her direction of Molly & The Robot.
King said winning the Audience Award was incredibly meaningful: "The film was made by a crew from across Ireland, with many travelling from Dublin to work alongside local Monaghan collaborators.
"To make a film on a hill in Monaghan and then have it connect with audiences at the Dublin International Film Festival is very special. This award belongs to the entire cast and crew who put their hearts into the project and to the community that supported it.
"The production was supported by Creative Monaghan and Monaghan County Council, whose continued backing of local artists helped bring the project to life.
"A unique element of the production was the creation of the film’s robot suit. The construction of the robot was supported by Monaghan based engineering company Combilift, whose interest in the design and engineering behind the character helped make this ambitious element of the film possible.
"The project is an example of how local creativity, community support and industry collaboration can come together to produce work that reaches audiences far beyond the county."
Following its success at the Dublin International Film Festival, Molly & The Robot will now continue its journey on the international festival circuit.
