Irish short film Remnant tackles drink driving with impressive debut at DIFF 2026

Irish short film Remnant has made its premiere at this year's Dublin International Film Festival. The 15-minute production, written and directed by Peter Vaughan, and co-created and produced by Conor Dunne, tackles the issue of drink driving through a Hitchcock-inspired blend horror and thriller.

The story follows 21-year-old Kevin (Vaughan), who, driving home from the pub, seeks refuge with a couple after spotting a Garda checkpoint on the road ahead. What unfolds is a tightly constructed, riveting and provocative cautionary tale designed, in Vaughan’s words, to unsettle.

"Remnant is a story which reflects and questions society's attitude towards drink driving," he says.  “I know the feeling I get in a cinema when I have experienced a profound moment, that intangible spark that takes over your being when you are shaken to the core by a film. That’s what I am chasing."

Vaughan, who grew up in the countryside, describes the subject matter as personal.

“The casual attitude around [drink driving] struck me, especially hearing all the road accidents on the news where drivers are DUI,” he says. “I feel the issue hasn’t been explored enough in the arts, and that many of us will recognise someone in this film."

Remnant

The production received funding through the Wicklow County Council Short Film Commission, and was executive produced by David McLoughlin (Metropolitan Pictures), Tina O’Reilly (That They May Face The Rising Sun), and Karen Richards (Wednesday, Netflix). BAFTA-winning production designer Philip Murphy, known for his work on Wednesday and Penny Dreadful, also joined the team as executive producer, and the score was composed by Reuben Harvey.

Another notable aspect of the production was the involvement of Traumatic Brain Injury survivor Phil Quinlan, who worked closely with the filmmakers to help them authentically portray one of the film’s central characters.

Vaughan says he hopes the film will eventually be screened in secondary schools across Ireland, with a particular focus on reaching young male drivers.

"We are trying to target young adults and men as they are the most likely to drive under the influence of alcohol," Vaughan explains. "Our intention is eventually to screen this film in schools to educate the new wave of drivers on the roads. We want to confront the population living in rural areas and, while this is a story based in Ireland, the themes are universal."