17th November 2025
New film explores how clinical trials are transforming diabetes care through collaboration with patients
Imperfect Days, a new Science on Screen documentary highlighting how clinical trials are transforming healthcare for people living with diabetes, will premiere at The Pálás Cinema, Galway city, on Sunday afternoon, December 7th.
Directed by David Qualter and produced by Laura Qualter of Prospect Films, Imperfect Days brings audiences into the lives of Carmel McDonagh, Tony Marshall and Faye Burke, who share their personal experiences of managing diabetes and participating in clinical trials. The film also features leading researchers and clinicians from University of Galway, Galway University Hospitals and the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, including Professor Fidelma Dunne, Professor Seamus Sreenan, Professor Matt Griffin and Dr Christine Newman, who are at the forefront of clinical trial research and innovation in Ireland and are seeing firsthand its transformative effects.
The 25-minute documentary was produced with funding from a Health Research Board grant to the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network, under the umbrella of Science on Screen, – a partnership between CÚRAM, the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway and Ardán, the Galway-based film and television agency.
Filmed in Dublin and Galway, Imperfect Days explores – with both sensitivity and humour – the day-to-day realities of living with diabetes. The film also shines a light on how clinical trials and public and patient involvement (PPI) are driving progress in diabetes research and care. Through pioneering trials in areas including gestational diabetes, cardiovascular disease and related chronic conditions, the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network is advancing research that is conducted not only for patients but with them, through meaningful PPI collaboration.
David Qualter, Director, Prospect Films said: “This film is really about partnership – between researchers, clinicians, and the people who live with diabetes every day, We wanted to show how collaboration and clinical research are not abstract ideas, but real forces that are changing lives across Ireland. It was great to work with Ardán and CÚRAM on this project and an honour to be tasked with creating the 10th documentary of the fantastic Science on Screen scheme.”
Professor Fidelma Dunne, Director, Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network and Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway, said: “Clinical trials are the bridge between scientific discovery and real-world impact. Through the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network, we’re ensuring that research in Ireland reflects the priorities and lived experiences of people living with diabetes. Imperfect Days highlights just how vital that partnership has become.”
Professor Abhay Pandit, founding Director of CÚRAM, said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network for this latest film. This is the 10th film produced through our Science on Screen programme, and it is another powerful and engaging example of scientific storytelling that we hope will reach a wide audience. Congratulations to the filmmakers and participants on an excellent production.”
Alan Duggan, Ardán Chief Executive, said: “For more than ten years, the collaboration between Ardán and CÚRAM through Science on Screen has played a huge part in Ardán’s goal to create opportunities for emerging filmmakers. The documentaries created not only highlighted the groundbreaking research taking place at CÚRAM, but also reminds us that behind every illness or diagnosis there is a human story to be told. Science on Screen not only makes STEM subjects more accessible to the media audience but also provides valuable insights into the extraordinary work that is shaping the future of medicine.”
Event Details:
Premiere: Imperfect Days
Date: Sunday, December 7th, 2025
Venue: The Pálás Cinema, Galway City
Time: 1:00 – 4:00PM
Admission: Tickets are free but limited and can be registered for here.
About the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network
The Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network (DC-CTN), funded by the Health Research Board, is an all-island collaborative network uniting leading researchers, clinicians and patient advocates from across Ireland to accelerate clinical trials and improve outcomes for people living with diabetes. Through active trial portfolios, robust public and patient involvement (PPI), the DC-CTN ensures that research is conducted with – not just for – patients, targeting real-world priorities and advancing treatment and care in diabetes, chronic conditions and other related conditions.
About Science on Screen:
Science on Screen scheme was founded by CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices and Ardán to explore the stories behind science and to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production. Over the last ten years the films and animations produced through Science on Screen have been screened in 30 different countries and reached almost 2 million people through broadcasts, film festivals, through community, academic and clinical screenings and via online platforms and public exhibits.
Past recipients of the Science on Screen Documentary Commission have included Mia Mullarkey, Alice McDowell, James Ryan, Paul Webster, Anna and Hugh Rodgers, Zlata Filipovic, Ronan Cassidy, Luke Brabazon, Karen Coleman, Leeona Duff, Ciaran O Connor, Maria O’ Neill and Tiernan Williams.
CÚRAM’s public engagement programme aims to provide opportunities for collaboration with patient or public audiences interested in or affected by its research and a key aspect of the Science on Screen Programme – that is co-managed with Ardán (previously Galway Film Centre) – is the collaboration between filmmakers, researchers and those with lived conditions of chronic illness.
Ardán is a non-profit talent development organisation that supports creatives in the audio-visual industry, in film, TV, games, and animation, through funding, training, and events, and by providing opportunities for entry, emerging, and established individuals working in the screen sector.
Find out more about the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network at https://diabetestrialsctn.ie/
Find out more about Ardán at www.ardan.ie
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