HOUSEWIFE OF THE YEAR reveals Ireland's treatment of women through the prism of a surreal televised competition, that has to be seen to be believed. A generation of Irish women competed in front of a live audience for the honorary title of 'Housewife of the Year'. The former contestants share their direct experiences of marriage bars, lack of contraception, Magdalene Laundries, financial vulnerability, boredom and shame and of course, of being contestants in the competition, which was there one chance at fame and recognition. It is a poignant, often hilarious, uplifting story of a resilient generation of mothers and grandmothers and how they changed a country.

The film won Best Irish Feature Documentary at the Fleadh 2024 and was awarded the jury prize for Best Documentary at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

Directed by Ciaran Cassidy, in English, 2024, 81 minutes

The resulting movie is fascinating… It's remarkable to watch.

The New York Times - Alissa Wilkinson

What we have here is a celebration of a generation concealed within a humorous disinterment of a now-inexplicable artefact.

Irish Times ★★★★ - Donald Clarke

Insightful and engaging, Ciarán Cassidy’s meticulously crafted documentary isn’t so much a film about an archaic contest, but instead, a film about how Ireland used to treat its women.

Heartbreak and ­humour are in huge supply – the surreal archive footage takes care of the rest. Not to be missed.

Irish Independent ★★★★ - Chris Wasser

It’s quite a disarming film then, funny but poignant in equal measures and a real winner too. If there’s one documentary to see this month, then this is it. Applause for all concerned.

Movies.ie ★★★★ - Gareth O'Connor

This is a fascinating and moving documentary that gives a warts and all insight into the history of women in Ireland.

No More Workhorse ★★★★ - Fran Winston

An important reminder of the rights and freedoms we have.

Business Post ★★★★ - John Maguire

Newport Beach Film Festival 2024
Newport Beach, CA
October 20 and 21, 2024

British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg 2025
Luxembourg
January 30, 2025

Irish Film Festival, Boston
Sommerville Theater
Boston, MA
January 31, 2025

DocPoint Finland
Helsinki, Finland
February 4, 2025

Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Santa Barbara, CA
February 4 - 15, 2025

Mostly British Film Festival
San Francisco, CA
February 6 - 13, 2025

Chicago Irish Film Fest
Chicago, IL
February 27 - March 2, 2025

Capital Irish Film Fest
Washington, DC
February 27 - March 2, 2025

Belgrade Irish Film Festival
Belgrade, Serbia
March 7-17, 2025

Quad Cinema
New York City, NY
Opens March 7th
Director Ciaran Cassidy to Host Q&As

Craic Festival
New York City, NY
March 8, 2025

SF Irish Film Festival
San Francisco, CA
March 8, 2025

The Oslo Documentary Cinema
Oslo, Norway
March 8 (TBD), 2025

Vancouver International Film Festival
Vancouver
March 8th

Boston Irish Film Festival
Boston, MA
March 13 - 16, 2025

Belgrade Irish Festival
Belgrade, Serbia
March 14, 2025

The Dairy
Boulder, CO
March 19th - 23rd

Nantucket Dreamland
Nantucket, MA
March 15th

Cape Cinema
Cape Cod, MA
March 17th