Irish filmmaker Daniel Byrne has quickly emerged as one of a growing generation of queer creatives reshaping contemporary Irish cinema. Originally from Glasnevin, Dublin, Daniel Byrne has worked across narrative film, documentary, and fashion production, building an international career that has already taken him from Ireland to London and New York.

Known for his work as Director of Photography on Father Brennan is Having a Breakdown!, the acclaimed queer short directed by Luke Faulkner, Byrne has also collaborated on projects including Tribeca-selected His House, Home and DIFF-winning documentary The Slightest Touch. Alongside his narrative work, he has recently expanded into fashion filmmaking in New York, working on productions connected to ELLE Taiwan and the CFDA Awards.

GCN sat down with Byrne to discuss his artistic influences, the importance of queer storytelling, and what comes next.

 

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A post shared by Luke Faulkner (@puregrand)

What first drew you to filmmaking?

I grew up surrounded by art. My mum is a painter, and she was a huge inspiration to me creatively. As I became more comfortable with my identity, I also became more confident in expressing myself artistically, and filmmaking felt like the most natural outlet for that.

There was always something about the camera and lens that connected with me emotionally. I think a lot of that comes from my love of classic Hollywood cinema, especially black-and-white films and the work of Alfred Hitchcock. I became fascinated by how visuals alone could communicate tension, vulnerability, and intimacy.

Why is queer storytelling on screen so important?

Queer stories are essential because they give people a sense of recognition and understanding that many of us grow up without. Representation can help audiences emotionally connect, educate people, and create space for catharsis.

As queer people, we often grow up without seeing our experiences reflected back to us in normalised ways. Film and television can challenge that absence. They can show love, fear, joy, confusion, and identity through perspectives that have historically been excluded or misunderstood. That’s why queer storytelling remains so necessary.

Can you tell us about some of the projects you’ve worked on?

I was the Director of Photography on Father Brennan is Having a Breakdown!, directed by Luke Faulkner. The film screened at the GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival and was nominated for the Iris Prize in Cardiff. It follows a queer priest navigating identity and intimacy through an evolving relationship with a local pastor.

What drew me so strongly to the project was how unapologetically bold it was. The film reexamines institutions and cultural expectations that are often treated as untouchable in Irish society, not for shock value, but to create space for honesty and humanity. Having grown up in traditional Catholic schools myself, I understood the weight that religion, conformity, and silence can carry in Irish culture.

As Director of Photography, I wanted the visuals to reflect the emotional tension at the heart of the story: repression versus self-acceptance, structure versus intimacy, fear versus liberation. Being part of a film that embraces queerness within a space that has historically excluded it felt incredibly meaningful.

Most recently, I worked with Shane Sigler and Rachel Fleit on The Slightest Touch, winner of Best Documentary at DIFF 2026. The documentary tells the story of Emma Fogarty, who lives with Epidermolysis Bullosa in Ireland, and her friend Colin Farrell, who ran the 2025 Dublin Marathon to raise awareness and funding.

 

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You’ve also recently worked in fashion production in New York. How has that experience been?

Right now, I’m working at Vela Rentals + Studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and I’ve really been enjoying the crossover between fashion and filmmaking.

Most recently, I worked as a gaffer on several fashion shoots, including ELLE Taiwan’s collaboration with Zhang Linghe for the Gucci Cruise Show in Times Square. I also worked as film editor for Nian Fish at the 2025 CFDA Awards, covering A$AP Rocky receiving the Fashion Icon of the Year Award and Donatella Versace receiving the Positive Change Award.

Fashion has introduced me to a completely different visual language and pace, and I’d love to continue building a space for myself there alongside narrative filmmaking.

What are your hopes for the future of your career?

I want to continue telling stories that feel underrepresented or overlooked, especially stories that challenge dominant perspectives and create emotional honesty on screen. Living and working in New York has opened up so many creative opportunities for me already, and I’m excited to keep developing my career internationally while still staying connected to Ireland and Irish storytelling. Ultimately, I just want to keep creating work that resonates with people visually and emotionally.

 

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As Irish queer cinema continues to gain international recognition, filmmakers like Daniel Byrne are helping shape its future both at home and abroad. Through his work across film, documentary, and fashion, Byrne’s visual storytelling continues to be part of the new generation of Irish creatives finding their voice on a global stage.