Testimony
Synopsis
TESTIMONY is a powerful documentary revealing the harrowing truth behind Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries and Mother and Baby Homes, where over 10,000 women and girls were confined between 1922 and 1996. Unmarried mothers, children of unmarried mothers, survivors of abuse, or those deemed “promiscuous” or burdensome were imprisoned, their lives shrouded in secrecy and shame.
The film chronicles the extraordinary efforts of Justice For Magdalenes, a small group of women lawyers, academics, and volunteers who fought tirelessly for recognition and justice for survivors. Their battle extended from the steps of the Irish parliament to the High Court and the United Nations. Alongside legal victories, the group spearheaded vital initiatives to preserve survivors' stories and ensure the atrocities they endured are never forgotten.
Through moving testimonies from survivors like Philomena Lee, Elizabeth Coppin, and Mary Harney, the documentary exposes the devastating impact of these institutions while showcasing the survivors’ resilience and the ongoing fight for accountability.
A story of resistance, hope, and the unwavering pursuit of justice, reminding us that the past must never be erased.
Official Selection Dublin International Film Festival 2025 - World premiere
Official Selection Dinard Film Festival 2025
Details
- Year
- 2025
- Type of project
- Features
- Running time
- 105 min
- Format
- Digital
- Director
-
Aoife Kelleher
- Producer
- Rachel Lysaght, Farah Abushwesha
- Editor
- Emer Reynolds
- Director of Photography
- Eleanor Bowman, Linda Hall, Ruairi O'Brien, Robbie Ryan, Michael Lavelle
- Composer
- Tom Hodge
- Principal cast
- With contributions from: Philomena Lee, Imelda Staunton, Elizabeth Coppin, Mary Harney
Genre
Categories
Production Status
Production Company
Rocliffe Productions
12 Barnston WalkLondon
N1 8QP
Page updates
This page was last updated on 5th May 2026. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.
See also
You may also be interested in other relevant projects in the database.
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Director: David Borenstein (director), Pavel Talankin (co-director)
Year: 2025
A Russian teacher secretly documents his small town school's transformation into a war recruitment center during the Ukraine invasion, revealing the ethical dilemmas educators face amid propaganda and militarization. Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2025 - World premiere Official Selection CPH DOX 2025 Official Selection Sheffield DocFest 2025 BAFTA Awards 2026 - Winner - Best Documentary Academy Awards 2026 - Winner - Best Documentary Feature
A Few Moments of Happiness (Quelques instants de bonheur)
Director: Shaden Safieddine Tazi
Year: 2026
A young Lebanese filmmaker in Paris watches Lebanon's war unfold on her phone from bed. In a state of paralysis, barely able to get out of bed, she calls her father everyday and begins recording her digital life. Using screen recordings, family voices, and silences, the film intimately portrays a generation witnessing their homeland's destruction remotely. Official Selection Venice International Film Festival 2026 - World premiere
Test Track (Tesztpálya)
Director: Lydia Cornett
Year: 2026
At dawn in Western Hungary, 14-year-old Hunor and his family use greyhounds to clear wildlife from ZalaZONE, a cutting-edge autonomous vehicle test track. Their traditional methods serve an increasingly militarized future. Official Selection Venice International Film Festival 2026 - World premiere