Four Mothers, the comedy drama by Drogheda brothers Colin and Darren Thornton, has been named among the finalists at the 2026 Writers’ Guild of Ireland Zebbie Awards.
The Thornton brothers are shortlisted in the Best Feature Film Script category for Four Mothers, alongside Richie Conroy for Fran the Man and Sheena Lambert for Báite.
The winners will be announced at the Light House Cinema in Dublin on Thursday, 3rd September, with Tara Flynn returning to host this year’s ceremony.
The nomination puts the Drogheda brothers among writers being recognised across Irish film, television, theatre, radio and audio at the 19th Writers’ Guild of Ireland Zebbie Awards.
Four Mothers shortlisted for Best Feature Film Script
Four Mothers is one of three scripts nominated in this year’s Best Feature Film Script category.
The Zebbie Awards celebrate Irish writing across Theatre, Television Drama, Continuing Drama, Short Film, Feature Film, Radio and Audio Drama, and Children’s and Young People’s Television.
The Writers’ Guild of Ireland says the awards are an opportunity to highlight the writers behind productions across Ireland’s creative industries and recognise the role of the script in bringing work to stage and screen.
Only Writers’ Guild of Ireland members can read the nominated scripts and vote in the member-voted categories.
Jennifer Davidson, Chair of the Writers’ Guild of Ireland, said:
“Once again, we’re delighted to celebrate the extraordinary craft and talent of Irish writers through the Zebbie Awards. This year’s nominations show the range and quality of writing being created by our members across stage, screen and audio.
“At a time when the Irish screen industry is experiencing record-breaking growth, it is more important than ever that writers are properly recognised and fairly paid for the work that makes that success possible. No film, television series, play, audio drama or children’s programme can exist without the script at its heart.
“The Zebbies are an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on the brilliant creative minds behind the stories audiences love, and to remind the industry that fair contracts, fair payment and public recognition for writers must be central to any sustainable future for Irish storytelling.”
Writers recognised across stage, screen and audio
The Writers’ Guild of Ireland represents Irish writers working across film, television, theatre, radio, animation and games.
The organisation campaigns on issues including writers’ rights, remuneration, greater control over their work and better recognition for writers.
According to the Guild, the Zebbies provide an opportunity to recognise the writers behind Ireland’s work in film, television, theatre, radio and audio drama.
The awards are named in honour of O.Z. “Zebby” Whitehead, a Broadway and Hollywood actor who became a supporter of theatre and writing in Ireland after moving to Dublin in 1963.
This year’s Zebbie Awards are supported by Screen Ireland and the Irish Copyright Licensing Agency.
For Colin and Darren Thornton, the September ceremony will now determine whether Four Mothers takes the Best Feature Film Script award from a three-title shortlist.
The winners of the 2026 Zebbie Awards will be announced at the Light House Cinema in Dublin on Thursday, 3rd September.
