Relic
Documentary
On the top of a mountain overlooking Belfast, an 85 year old man holds the remnants of a bandage, a relic that once belonged to the patron saint of healing, Padre Pio. On the 13th of every month, people from all over Ireland travel up the mountain to be blessed or 'healed' by the relic. In covering this secret and most sacred of nights, via testimonies and shocking revelations, 'Relic' ruminates on faith, healing, and sacrifice.
Sam Howard is a Belfast-based filmmaker working across directing, producing and editing. His work includes programmes for the BBC and Channel 4, as well as the multi-award-winning feature documentary Lyra (2022). He produced and edited The Ban (2024), which was BAFTA and BIFA longlisted and premiered at Tribeca Festival, CPH:DOX and IDFA before its release on The New Yorker platform in 2025. His forthcoming feature documentary has been selected for international festival marketplaces including DOK Leipzig, Hot Docs and IDFA. HIs latest short 'Relic' premiered in competition at Sheffield DocFest 2026.