Disney+ Buys Brown Bread, Directorial Debut of Shaunagh Connaire

Disney+ has acquired the Irish narrative quick movie “Brown Bread” following a profitable pageant run that started with its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2025.

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

Written and directed by Shaunagh Connaire, “Brown Bread” marks the narrative debut from author/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.

The movie — 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 personal experience of being unable to journey to Ireland from the U.S. to attend her godmother’s funeral, the story follows Áine (McGrath), a girl whose return to Ireland from New York to attend her godmother’s memorial mass stirs up previous tensions, grief, and unstated affection in her rural household residence. Flanagan stars as Betty, a proud however emotionally restrained mom struggling along with her daughter’s return, while Crowley performs 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 by way of her manufacturing company MK1 Studios, the movie was shot completely in Connaire’s hometown of Longford, Ireland. Funding was offered by Creative Ireland (Longford), with extra help from Sam and Amelia Dennigan and Anne Heraty, who served as Associate Producers. The movie 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 had been always considering globally, and Shaunagh has a unprecedented intuition for character and tone that permits tales rooted in place to journey. Seeing a movie made in rural Longford now discovering a house with Disney reinforces our perception that tales rooted in Irish life can resonate nicely past their place of origin.