Olivia McLaughlin

Olivia McLaughlin is an award-winning Irish writer/director based between Dublin and London. She makes people-centred work that is emotionally honest, grounded in humour, and drawn to the small moments that quietly shape us. Her stories often explore girlhood and family, sitting in the space between drama and comedy.

Her debut short, Parting, premiered at the Oscar®-qualifying Galway Film Fleadh, where she was nominated for the Bingham Ray New Talent Award. The film went on to screen at BAFTA-qualifying Belfast Film Festival and DIFF, where it received the Discovery Award, following in the footsteps of Jessie Buckley and Barry Keoghan. Parting has since won Silver for Best Direction at the Shark Awards, and been broadcast on RTÉ.

Olivia is currently developing a slate of narrative projects, including work through Storyhouse Lab 2026 in association with Screen Ireland and Element Pictures, and developed work at Stowe Story Labs' Narrative Lab. She is currently shadow directing on a television drama with Conker Pictures and Samson Films in Ireland.

Alongside her narrative work, Olivia directs music videos and commercials with a people-first focus. With a background in producing - creating work for CMAT, Other Voices, Guinness, and Tourism Ireland - Olivia brings a collaborative, detail-driven sensibility to set.

Olivia just shot a documentary following Rich Peppiat for Netflix, following the making of his next project BAD BRIDGETS.