Production has started on "Baile," a new Irish-language comedy feature co-commissioned by BBC Gaeilge, the Irish-language arm of BBC Northern Ireland, and TG4, Ireland's national Irish-language broadcaster.

Belfast-based Village Films produces the film, with support from Northern Ireland Screen's Irish Language Broadcast Fund. The comedy drama stars Marion O'Dwyer ("The Quiet Girl") as Bríghid, a fiercely independent woman in the early stages of dementia, and Hazel Doupe ("Say Nothing") as Naomi, a young cleaner.

When Bríghid hires Naomi to drive her from Belfast to her childhood home in County Donegal, their unlikely friendship takes them on an unexpected adventure. The film explores, according to its description, "friendship, independence, the meaning of home, and what it means to not lose sight of who you are when faced with change."

Crews shot the film at locations across Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Moira and Tyrella Beach, and in County Donegal. The road-trip movie tells the story of two women at opposite ends of life.

"We're incredibly proud to be bringing 'Baile' into production. It's a moving and deeply human story about memory, friendship and the unexpected connections that can transform our lives, told predominantly through the Irish language," said Aideen Hand, who produces for Village Films.

"We have assembled a wonderful cast led by Hazel Doupe and Marion O'Dwyer to bring screenwriter Christina Carty's characters to life, and we're grateful to BBC Northern Ireland, TG4 and Northern Ireland Screen's Irish Language Broadcast Fund for supporting an ambitious film that feels both distinctly local and genuinely universal," Hand added.

Eddie Doyle, head of commissioning at BBC Northern Ireland, placed the project within a wider strand of Irish-language filmmaking. "Baile is the third Irish-Language film we have jointly commissioned with TG4 and Northern Ireland Screen through the very successful Gealán scheme," he said.

"At its essence, it is a heartwarming and human story about friendship, and we look forward to bringing this adventure to audiences on BBC Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer," Doyle added.

TG4's commissioning editor Máire Ní Chonláin highlighted the value of cross-border collaboration. "'Baile' brings together an accomplished cast and production team and further reflects the value of our partnership with the Irish Language Broadcast Fund and BBC Gaeilge in supporting original Irish-language cinema. We look forward to seeing the film reach audiences on TG4 at home and across the globe," she said.

Áine Walsh, chief language and cultural officer and head of the Irish Language Broadcast Fund at Northern Ireland Screen, linked the film to the scheme's track record. "Following in the footsteps of acclaimed Gealán projects such as 'Doineann' and 'Aontas,' Ireland's submission for the Academy Awards Best International Feature Film category, today's 'Baile' production and casting announcement is another significant milestone for the scheme and a testament to the power of our partnership with BBC Gaeilge and TG4," Walsh said.

Doyle and Ní Chonláin commissioned the film. Aideen Hand produces and directs for Village Films, with Paul Kennedy as co-director. Christina Carty wrote the screenplay.

"Baile" is the third project commissioned through Gealán, the feature film initiative from BBC Northern Ireland, TG4 and Northern Ireland Screen's Irish Language Broadcast Fund. "Doineann," produced by DoubleBand Films, was the first; "Aontas," produced by Púca Pictures, was the second.

With "Aontas" having gone on to become Ireland's submission for the Academy Awards' Best International Feature Film category, the Gealán scheme now has a proven record of turning modest Irish-language commissions into films with international reach — a precedent "Baile" will aim to extend when it reaches audiences on BBC Northern Ireland, BBC iPlayer and TG4.