In this episode of the Film Ireland podcast, we are excited to look the TRANS IMAGE / TRANS EXPERIENCE (TITE) FILM FESTIVAL, which takes place from 25–27 April 2025 at the Light House Cinema in Dublin. We begin by speaking with James Hudson, the festival founder.
Then we are joined by Theda Hammel, whose remarkable debut feature, Stress Positions, will close this year’s programme.
Finally, we speak with Garry McHugh, director and CEO of Young Irish Film Makers, who have been nominated for a Global Production Award at Cannes – a significant recognition of their contribution to youth engagement and creativity in film.
About TITE
This year’s festival presents 8 feature films, 40 shorts, a workshop, filmmaker Q&As, and more to be announced. From award-winning Sundance darlings to low budget DIY extravaganzas, soft-spoken dramas to hyperpop explosions, dozens of Irish premieres and a special archive screening from 1989; whatever you picture when you think about ‘trans film’, think again. Check out their programme now at TITE.ie.
James Hudson / TITE Festival Director
James has worked at the GAZE LGBTQIA Film Festival since 2020, where he is currently Assistant Programmer. Since 2022 he has also programmed the monthly Small Trans Film Club, and has guest programmed at the IFI, the Light House Cinema, the James Connolly Festival and the Dublin Comic Arts Festival among others.
Theda Hammel / Filmmaker
Theda Hammel is co-host of the KNFW Nymphowars podcast with Macy Rodman. She has a Masters in Music Technology from NYU Steinhardt and has released three EPs (Very Great, SondHamm, and Partial Magic). Her original music can be found at majortransceleb.bandcamp.com. Her 2021 short film My Trip To Spain, starring John Early, played at the Sundance and Tribeca film festivals. Her feature directorial debut, also starring John Early, is Stress Positions; it was financed and distributed by NEON.
Garry McHugh / Director & CEO Young Irish Film Makers
Garry McHugh is Director & CEO of Young Irish Film Makers, Ireland’s national youth film organisation. He is responsible for strategic planning, fund raising, artistic and programme development. Managing partnerships with national funding bodies such as the Arts Council, Dept. of Children & Youth Affairs, Screen Ireland and the Education & Training Board. Since taking over the National Development of the organisation in 2014, Garry has worked with the team at YIFM to grow the capacity of YIFM programmes to work with double the number of young people over the past five years, delivering five times the number of contact hours with participants. Young Irish Film Makers now work with over 2500 young people annually across Ireland through the youth arts practice of film and animation. Demand is continuing to grow as YIFM filmmaking and animation workshops are recognised for their ability to deliver high quality outcomes for young people from all backgrounds. Garry is heavily involved in the programme design and delivery of informal education workshops delivering quality personal, social and creative outcomes for young people across Ireland. With a focus on film and animation workshops for secondary schools, youth development agencies and youth workers nationwide. Before he became involved in youth development and youth arts work, Garry was a professional filmmaker, musician and enjoyed treading the boards as an actor. He believes this grounding in the creative industries led him to where he works now, with young people through youth film programmes. His career of 30 years spans film production, broadcast radio and informal education & training. His practical experience and skills range from corporate communications and music video production to training and informal education programmes in film, animation and digital media production.
