Ian Thuillier is an Irish filmmaker and photographer known for creating deeply personal and visually evocative documentaries that explore the intersection of art, identity, and the human spirit. Based in County Wicklow, Thuillier's work often focuses on artists and visionaries who live outside the mainstream, reflecting his own background in experimental photography.
His debut film Darkroom (2003) won Best Documentary at the Boston Irish Film Festival and earned him an IFTA nomination for Best New Talent. Since then, his filmography has spanned subjects from the haunting blues of Rory Gallagher (Ghost Blues, 2010) to the theatrical world of Ladies and Gentlemen, Gavin Friday (2010).
Thuillier's recent short documentary Conflicted (2025) has drawn international acclaim for its moving portrayal of two mothers-one Israeli, one Palestinian-united by shared loss. The film screened at the Lumière Theatre, Beverly Hills, won Best Documentary Short at the Montreal Independent Film Festival and was long-listed for Oscar consideration.
His latest feature, Guggi, continues his exploration of artistic resilience through the story of Irish painter Guggi, a lifelong friend of Bono and Gavin Friday. Thuillier's films combine cinematic restraint with emotional depth, positioning him as one of Ireland's most distinctive contemporary documentary voices.
