Short Films ‘Headspace’ and ‘Hearing Silence’ Shortlisted for ICCL Human Rights Film Awards
Two IFB-funded projects HEADSPACE, a short animation directed by Patrick Semple and produced by Barry O'Donoghue and HEARING SILENCE, a short documentary directed by Hilary Fennell and produced by Martha O'Neill, have both been recognised by the Irish Council for Civil Liberites making the shortlist for this year's Human Rights Film Awards.
The shortlist of six films features an eclectic mix of genres and styles from documentaries to animation and human rights issues at home and abroad. These films will be screened at a Gala awards ceremony in the Irish Film Institute on Wednesday 15th June where the jury including Irish acting greats Stephen Rea and Brenda Fricker, acclaimed director Ken Wardrop and Oscar-nominated director Tomm Moore will announce the winner.
Actor Stephen Rea said "As artists, we have the chance to communicate important messages in a unique way and to inspire those around us to open their eyes to the struggles for human rights and equality that occur daily at home and abroad. The ICCL Human Rights Film Awards demonstrates how powerful the art of film can be when it is put to this use."
Ken Wardrop, the director of award-winning documentary His and Hers commented "As filmmakers, we are in a unique position to highlight injustice and call for a more just society through our work, and the ICCL Human Rights Film Awards provide just such an opportunity."
The six films shortlisted for the ICCL Human Rights Film Award are Freedom Driver, directed by Fran Cassidy which follows Dubliner Dara Gallagher, a wheelchair user and a disability activist; Hearing Silence directed by Hilary Fennell which documents Elizabeth Petcu, after having spent 25 years devoted to music was diagnosed with a form of progressive hearing loss; Emerald Warrior, directed by Jay O'Callaghan and tells of a Dublin rugby club set up with the aim of giving gay, bisexual and heterosexual men the opportunity to play competitive rugby together; Listen To Me, directed by Mabel Lozano and explores the exploitation of trafficked women through local clients' complicity with the traffickers; Headspace, directed by Patrick Semple, through the use of rich and evocative animation explores the sensitive topic of child abuse and Election of Discount, directed by Patrick Tierney, follows artist Eddie Cahill as he tears down campaign posters in the run-up to the Irish general election.
The 3rd Annual ICCL Human Rights Film Awards will take place in the Irish Film Institute on Wednesday 15th June.
About HEADSPACE
Head Space, is an animation exploring the sensitive topic of child abuse and the complex range of emotions experienced by a child who is being abused by a parent. The film takes place in the mind of the abused child, where colour and whimsy give way to the dark tendrils of confusion, fear and loneliness from which the child cannot escape. Produced by Barry O'Donoghue and Barley Films under the BSÉ/IFB Short Shorts scheme, the IFTA nominated short has previously screened at the Galway Film Fleadh, Animadrid Animation Festival Madrid, Jameson Dublin International Film Festival and the Cinemagic International Film Festival for Young in Belfast.
About HEARING SILENCE
The ability to hear plays such a crucial role in making music that it's almost impossible to imagine how a professional musician feels when they've been diagnosed with a condition called Otosclerosis (progressive deafness). But that is exactly what flautist Elizabeth Petcu is bravely facing. This documentary lets the audience enter a world where sound plays a crucial but increasingly frustrating role and shows how this musician is dealing with the loss of a
vital sense with strength and humour. It was produced by Martha O'Neill and Wildfire Films with funding from the BSÉ/IFB Reality Bites scheme and has been selected to screen at festivals including Cork, Dublin, Dingle, Seattle and Olomouc in the Czech Republic.
About the ICCL
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) is Ireland's leading independent human rights watchdog, which monitors, educates and campaigns in order to secure full enjoyment of human rights for everyone. Founded in 1976 by Mary Robinson and others, the ICCL has played a leading role in some of the most successful human rights campaigns in Ireland. These have included campaigns resulting in the establishment of an independent Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, the legalisation of the right to divorce, more effective protection of children's rights, the decriminalisation of homosexuality and introduction of enhanced equality legislation. The ICCL believes in a society which protects and promotes human rights, justice and equality.