Peter J McCarthy – Film Director, Producer & Editor

Peter J McCarthy is an award-winning Irish director, cinematographer, and musician whose work blends cinematic storytelling with deeply personal narratives. His films and music often explore themes of memory, history, and the resilience of the human spirit. From intimate documentaries to powerful dramas, Peter’s work has been recognised internationally, earning awards in Ireland, the US, and across Europe.

As co-director, editor, and cinematographer of The Return—a short film created alongside Maeve McCarthy’s acclaimed art exhibition—Peter revisited the decaying farmhouse of his childhood holidays in Newry. The project unearthed forgotten family histories, tales of conflict, and echoes of Ireland’s past, weaving together visual poetry and documentary realism.

Peter trained at London’s National Film and Television School and studied performance under Judith Weston in New York, alongside masterclasses with Bruce Block, Mark Travis, and Bobette Buster. His filmmaking career spans drama, documentary, and music video, including Fight or Flight, a feature documentary filmed over 18 months in Thailand and broadcast across 19 countries. His short film Hunter’s Fall won multiple awards, including Best Irish Short Film and Best Drama at the Fastnet Film Festival (2023). He has also directed music videos for artists such as Sinéad O’Connor and has been nominated for the Kinsale Shark Awards and the IFTA Awards.

A versatile storyteller, Peter’s projects have ranged from exploring the personal aftermath of The Troubles to producing Lithuania’s highest-grossing film—later submitted for Academy Award consideration. His creative work extends beyond film, with original music that captures emotional depth while maintaining melodic accessibility.

Peter holds a Diploma in Business Studies from The Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business. His combination of artistic vision and production expertise allows him to create work that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Awards & Highlights:

• Winner: Fastnet Film Festival – Best Irish Short Film & Best Drama (2023)

• Winner: Underground Cinema Film Festival – Best Drama & Best Film

• Winner: Best Documentary – Radar Hamburg International Film Festival

• Director: Fight or Flight – Winner of five Best Documentary awards, broadcast internationally

• Director: Hunter’s Fall – Multi-award-winning short drama

• Music Video Director for Sinéad O’Connor

Artist Statement:
“My work is driven by a fascination with untold stories—personal, political, and cultural. I am drawn to the places where memory meets history, where beauty survives alongside loss. Whether through film, music, or memoir, I aim to preserve the small stories that might otherwise vanish, allowing audiences to see the universal in the personal.”