Phelim McAleer

McAleer started his career as a journalist working for the Crossmaglen Examiner a local Northern Ireland newspaper in Co. Armagh. The newspaper covered stories in the area, which was known as ‘Bandit country’ because of the ferocity of the IRA campaign in the area. McAleer then moved to the Irish News in Belfast. At the Irish News, Northern Ireland’s largest selling daily newspaper, he worked as a journalist covering the Northern Ireland troubles and peace process before becoming night editor. Before becoming a filmmaker, Phelim was a foreign correspondent for the Financial Times in Eastern Europe. He also covered Romania and Bulgaria for the Economist. Before that he covered Ireland for the UK Sunday Times. He has worked as a filmmaker and journalist in many countries including Romania, Uganda, Madagascar, Bulgaria, Chile, Indonesia, Canada and China.