Irish Shorts Continue International Trail of Success
There have been further success stories for Irish short films both at home and on an international level as Kealan O'Rourke's Fairycatcher scoops the Bram Stoker Academy of Film Award, Liam Gavin's Jericho lifts the Grand Jury Prize at the Ozu Film Festival in Italy, while Hugh O'Conor's Corduroy took home the Francie Award for Best Fiction/Experimental Short at the Clones Film Festival.
Fairycatcher follows a young fairy who after witnessing the brutal death of his friend at the hands of a mysterious creature, is captured by the Queen's Fairycatcher, and must attempt to escape and find a way to save himself. Produced by Adrian Devane and Igloo Films, the film has recently been storming the festival circuit with official selections for Drama International Short Film Festival Greece, Vancouver International Film Festival, La Boca Del Lobo International Film Festival Madrid, Amiens International Film Festival France, Hong Kong International Film Festival, Yasujiro Ozu International Short Film Festival Italy, New York International Children's Film Festival and Fantasporto International Fantasy Film Festival Portugal.
O'Rourke took the top prize at The Bram Stoker Academy Horror Film Festival, a three day event which culminated at a ceremony held in Clontarf Castle on Halloween night, where Kealan was awarded a specially minted gold "Bram" award and €1,000 prize money for the fantasy film.
Kealan's upcoming film ‘The Boy Who Lived In A Bubble' produced by Brian Willis of Igloo Films is in production and will be released in 3D next year.
Jericho tells the story of Franky Bannon who is struggling to cope following his wife's recent death. He is suicidal until his imaginary childhood friend returns to show him that the world is beautiful. Produced by Rachel Lysaght (The Pipe) for Underground Films, it premiered at last year's Corona Cork Film Festival and has also screened at the Arcipelago Film Festival in Italy. The jury at Ozu Film Festival awarded it the Grand Jury Prize for "the absorbing tenderness through which this film depicts the regenerating strength of childhood."
Corduroy is a short film about a young autistic woman, who after a traumatic experience is brought to the west of Ireland by a carer, to learn how to surf. Starring Domhnall Gleeson (Sensation) and Caoilfhionn Dunne, it was produced by Eimear O'Kane with EMU Productions and was shot by Oscar-nominated Ruairí O'Brien. This emotional piece has been widely lauded since it premiered at Cork Film Festival last year, having since been selected to screen in competition at the prestigious Berlinale Film Festival with upcoming screenings set for Kerry Film Festival and Cinemagic in Belfast.
Fairycatcher, Jericho and Corduroy were all funded through the IFB Signatures short film-making scheme.
Irish short film MR. FOLEY, written and directed by D.A.D.D.Y, has also been nominated for the Leo Award at the Braunschweig International Film Festival in Germany for the music for composer Steve Lynch. The comedy stars Mark Doherty (A Film With Me In It) as Mr. Foley, a man who wakes up in hospital to find sound effects him and he doesn't know the score. Produced by Mary McCarthy, this is the 3rd such nomination for the short, having won Best Soundscape at the Dresden Filmfest in April as well as gaining second place in the La Boca del Lobo film festival in Madrid. Lynch's latest project, Brian O'Malley's Crossing Salween will premiere at the Cork Film Festival on the 13th November.