An alumnus of aemi’s ‘Developing Your Practice as a Film Artist’ programme, Michael Barwise is an Irish director and documentary editor from Derry. His work includes films for Channel 4, Netflix UK and RTE. His films have screened at Oscar-qualifying Galway Film Fleadh and Foyle Film Festival, BAFTA-qualifying Aesthetica, Belfast, and Flatpack Film Festivals, and have been broadcast on BBC and Film4.

Michael was selected for the first year of IGNITE, a documentary talent development scheme run by Cork International Film Festival and Docs Ireland. He was a member of the first cohort of film artists to participate in aemi’s Developing Your Practice as a Film Artist programme, which took place throughout 2024 and 2025.

Michael is currently in post-production on the feature documentary, Stand Up! (working title), which he is editing and co-directing. Stand Up! is produced by Fine Point Films.

Michael said in his social media post this morning:

“Thank you to aemi whose constant support and encouragement for the film and my work has been an invaluable source of reassurance and confidence. I couldn’t have made the film without it and taking part in aemi’s Developing Your Practice as a Film Artist was integral to the process.” 

We at aemi extend our warmest congratulations to Michael on this fantastic achievement!