Irish Films Scoop Two Awards at the Prestigious Tribeca Film Festival
Irish films have scooped two awards at the Tribeca Film festival in New York this week. Irish actress Eileen Walsh picked up the award for Best Actress for her performance in EDEN, and the Irish short film NEW BOY has won the prize for Best Narrative Short Film.EDEN screened as part of the World Narrative Competition with 11 other films from established filmmakers, including This Is England writer-director Shane Meadows. Following on from the huge success of the RTÉ television series Pure Mule, EDEN is the second collaboration between Declan Recks and Eugene O'Brien. The film is based on the award winning play of the same name and is an unflinching meditation on married life in a claustrophobic, provincial town. With multi-faceted and revealing performances from Aidan Kelly and Eileen Walsh, the film promises to take the viewer on a dark and exhilarating ride through the depths and despairs of modern-day Ireland.
IFB funded short film NEW BOY directed by Steph Green continues it successful run on the international film festival circuit. Produced by Tamara Anghie and Zanzibar Films as part of the IFB's Short Cuts scheme, the short competed against 79 international shorts including a short penned by ‘Babel' writer Guillermo Arriaga. to win the prize for Best Narrative Short Film in Tribeca.
Commenting on the film the jury said that "New Boy took us on a complete emotional journey. It was moving, funny, and powerful." The filmmakers will receive also receive a $5,000 cash prize.
NEW BOY previously picked up the Best Short Film award at this years IFTA's and the Audience Award for Best International Short at last years Corona Cork Film Festival and was selected to screen at the A-list Berlin International Film Festival. This successful short film has also screened at international festivals in Malmo, San Francisco, Dublin and Galway amongst others.
"Recognition in the form of major awards at key international film festivals is very important to the Irish film industry, as it raises the profile for smaller films and helps them sell to territories all over the world." said James Morris, Chair, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB). "We're delighted that Irish film continues to gain international acclaim with new films building on the recent success of ONCE, GARAGE and KINGS."
Originally founded in 2002 by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro, the Tribeca Film Festival has grown to become one of the biggest film festivals in North America, screening over 55 world premieres from 31 countries. This year the festival was sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey.
EDEN was produced by Samson Films (ONCE) under an innovative financing collaboration between the IFB and RTE, with substantial financing from the BCI. Culture Ireland and the Arts Council also supported the filmmakers to travel out to the Tribeca Film festival. Audiences will have another opportunity to see EDEN on the bid screen next month when it is released in the newly opened Lighthouse Cinema.