Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn’s SAIPAN to have its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival
Date Posted: August 6, 2025
Northern Ireland Screen is proud to learn that SAIPAN, the highly anticipated new film from local directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, has been officially selected for the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
SAIPAN tells the electrifying true story of the infamous clash between Republic of Ireland football captain Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy during preparations for the 2002 FIFA World Cup—a confrontation that would ignite national debate and shake the sporting world.
The film stars BAFTA-nominated Éanna Hardwicke (Lakelands, The Sixth Commandment) as Roy Keane, and two-time Academy Award® nominee Steve Coogan (Philomena, The Reckoning) as Mick McCarthy. The stellar supporting cast includes Alice Lowe (Sightseers), Jamie Beamish (Derry Girls), Alex Murphy (The Young Offenders), Harriet Cains (Bridgerton) and Peter McDonald (The Batman).
Filmed with the distinctive vision of Barros D’Sa and Leyburn (Good Vibrations, Ordinary Love), SAIPAN was made in association with Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen. The project also received support from BFI Global Screen, Coimisiún na Meán, and RTÉ. International sales are being handled by Bankside Films.
Written by Paul Fraser (Heartlands, A Room for Romeo Brass), SAIPAN is produced by Macdara Kelleher and John Keville for Wild Atlantic Pictures, alongside Trevor Birney and Oliver Butler for Fine Point Films, with Patrick O’Neill and Rachael O’Kane also serving as Executive Producers.
A compelling portrait of pride, pressure and personality clashes at the heart of a national team, SAIPAN goes beyond football to explore themes of identity, leadership, and the human cost of greatness.
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said:
“We are thrilled to see SAIPAN recognised on the international stage at TIFF. This selection is a testament to the outstanding talent of Lisa and Glenn, the strength of the creative team, and the depth of storytelling emerging from Northern Ireland. We are proud to have supported this bold, passionate film that will undoubtedly resonate with audiences far beyond the football pitch.”
Saipan will screen as part of the Centrepiece programme, recognising the best of international cinema, at TIFF, which runs from 4 to 14 September.
