Disney+ Acquires ‘Brown Bread,’ Directorial Debut of Shaunagh Connaire, Former Exec at George and Amal Clooney’s Justice Foundation (EXCLUSIVE)

Disney+ has acquired the Irish narrative short film “Brown Bread” following a successful festival run that began with its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2025.

The film is now streaming across Disney+ platforms throughout Europe.

Written and directed by Shaunagh Connaire, “Brown Bread” marks the narrative debut from writer/director Shaunagh Connaire, the two-time Emmy-nominated Irish journalist who has produced documentaries for the likes of the BBC and PBS Frontline and also served as communication director for George and Amal Clooney‘s Foundation for Justice.

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The film — described by Connaire as a “modern twist on the Irish emigration story” — is led by Emmy-winning actress Fionnula Flanagan (“Lost,” “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes”), Katie McGrath (“Merlin,” “Supergirl”) and Dermot Crowley (“Luther: The Fallen Sun,” “The Death of Stalin”).

Inspired by Connaire’s own experience of being unable to travel to Ireland from the U.S. to attend her godmother’s funeral, the story follows Áine (McGrath), a woman whose return to Ireland from New York to attend her godmother’s memorial mass stirs up old tensions, grief, and unspoken affection in her rural family home. Flanagan stars as Betty, a proud but emotionally restrained mother struggling with her daughter’s return, while Crowley plays Áine’s father Seamus.

“Having my first scripted film acquired by Disney so early in its life is so wonderful,” said Connaire. “I wanted to tell a story rooted in Irish life but expansive enough to travel. To see that belief reflected in a global acquisition like this is incredibly affirming, and a reminder that small, specific stories can resonate far beyond where they begin.”

Produced by Julie Ryan through her production company MK1 Studios, the film was shot entirely in Connaire’s hometown of Longford, Ireland. Funding was provided by Creative Ireland (Longford), with additional support from Sam and Amelia Dennigan and Anne Heraty, who served as Associate Producers. The film is distributed by Network Ireland.

“From the outset, we felt Brown Bread was a very special film, not because it was trying to be big, but because it was precise, truthful and emotionally brave,” said Ryan. “We were always thinking globally, and Shaunagh has an extraordinary instinct for character and tone that allows stories rooted in place to travel. Seeing a film made in rural Longford now finding a home with Disney reinforces our belief that stories rooted in Irish life can resonate well beyond their place of origin.