John Connors

John Connors is a pioneering figure in the Irish arts scene, recognized as the first Irish Traveller (Minceir) to step into the role of director. He is an accomplished actor, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, playwright, and advocate for human rights, making significant strides for his community in Ireland. Connors gained widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Patrick Ward in the acclaimed crime drama series *Love/Hate* and earned the Best Actor award at the 2018 Irish Film and Television Awards for his role in *Cardboard Gangsters*.

In 2016, Connors made his directorial debut with *John Connors, The Travellers*, a documentary series he co-directed and presented, which won the IFTA for Best Documentary Series in 2018. That same year, he focused more on directing, premiering the short docudrama *Eden* at the Galway Film Fleadh.

His co-written script *Innocent Boy* won accolades, and the film he later directed received a special mention at the VMDIFF 2020 while gaining recognition on the international film festival circuit. Connors’ debut documentary, *Endless Sunshine on a Cloudy Day*, garnered critical praise and won the Audience Award at the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival in 2020, also being selected for the Raindance Film Festival.

His feature film *The Black Guelph* triumphed at the Oldenburg International Film Festival in September 2022, securing the Best Film and Best Actor awards. John was recognized among the "50 most incredible people shaping modern Ireland" by the Irish Independent in 2017, and the Irish Times named him in their "22 twenty-somethings likely to influence Ireland and the world" in 2018.