Film And TV
31 Jan 25

David Keenan documentary to premiere at Chicago Irish Film Festival

David Keenan. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

David Keenan: Focla ar Chanbhás will feature at a number of US and European festivals this year – with Irish and UK dates to follow.

Dundalk singer-songwriter David Keenan has revealed that a new documentary film exploring 500 days in his life – Focla ar Chanbhás [Words on Canvas] – is set to be released this year.

The film, directed by Paddy Hayes, will have its world premiere at Chicago Irish Film Festival in February, before going on to feature at Capital Irish Film Festival in Washington DC, and Craic Fest in New York.

Focla ar Chanbhás is set to have its European premiere at Krakow Film Festival, kicking off in May, while Irish and UK dates are expected to follow.

"Four years after the breakthrough success of his debut album Beginner's Guide to Bravery, Dundalk songwriter, musician, and composer, David Keenan, is at a crossroads," the documentary's official description reads. "After touring extensively and building a reputation as one of Ireland’s leading live performers, he returns to the studio to record new music."

In a social media post, David has acknowledged that it's quite "surreal" to be promoting a documentary about his life, at the age of 30.

"But I think you’ll identify with these chapters," he continues. "At the end of the day it promotes music and writing as tools for survival and growth through the chaos and the calm."

David's fourth studio album is also expected in 2025. His latest LP, Crude, was released in 2022.