movie news: Winners of the Inaugural Sky Road Fest Announced
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As you may have seen me tweeting, this weekend I was down at the Sky Road TV & Film Festival in Clifden to judge the Short Documentary category and generally soak up the fantastic atmosphere and enthusiasm at this brand new festival on the Irish calendar.
There was a huge range of films and I sincerely think there was some great talent unearthed, particularly in the New Media category and pitching session.
In my own category I have to say, every film really did have its own merits and it is such a great achievement for filmmakers to produce such great stories in such limited time spans. I’d like to particularly call out Inez: A Challenging Woman and Novena as ones to look out for if you see them on TV or festival schedules, as well as, of course the eventual winner – Seamus Heaney – Iarscribhinn
Special mention as well must go to the winner of the Spirit of the Festival winner – It Came From Connemara!! – a supremely enjoyable look at Roger Corman’s brief but productive time running a studio “way out west”.
“It’s been an exhilarating and exciting first festival” … “The quality and quantity of submissions for our first programme enabled us to deliver what we hope has been a unique festival experience. The support and positive feedback has been overwhelming from both the film industry and our audiences. The local goodwill and enthusiasm has been particularly reassuring and encouraging.” – said Eamonn O Cualain, Festival Chairman.
Here are the final winners in each of the categories.
Best Short Film in association with The Irish Film Board
Winner: The Abandoning
A film about the memory of a house where the past and present are not separate places
Director: Vanessa Gildea. Producer: Se Merry Doyle
Best Short Film, First Time Director in association with The Irish Film Board
Winner: The Swing
A coming of age story about two young brothers who find themselves in a perilous situation that kicks up memories of their past
Director: Damien Dunne. Producer: Nora Windeck
Best Feature Film
Winner: A Nightingale Falling
Set in Ireland during The war of Independence, two sisters’ lives are changed forever as they care for a wounded soldier in their home.
Director: Garret Daly/Martina McGlynn. Producer: Martina McGlynn,Gerry Burke, Garret Daly, PJ Curtis
Best Feature Documentary in association with TG4
Winner: John Sheahan – A Dubliner
All the best for next year everyone!
A revealing and beautifully made portrait of a man who was an integral part of the national institution that is The Dubliners.
Director: Maurice Sweeney. Producer: Liam McGrath/Ceoladh Sheahan
Best Short Documentary in association with RTE
Winner: Seamus Heaney – Iarscribhinn – Imeall
This special edition of Imeall celebrates the life and poetry of Seamus Heaney as we visit the farmlands of Bellaghy, Co. Derry that inspired so many of his poems.
Director: Paschal Cassidy. Producer: Maggie Breathnach
Best Documentary Series in association with BAI
Winner: Ceolchuairt Iamaice
Belfast troubadour Gearoid Mac Lochlainn embarks on a reggae pilgrimage to Jamaica to see if the message of one love that crossed sectarian boundaries in his teenage years in Belfast is still alive in Jamaica.
Director: Paddy Hayes. Producer: Laura Ni Cheallaigh
Best 3 minute short, New Media, filmed on a mobile or smart device
Winner: Turnaround for Little Terns
A news report for RTE which was filmed on an iphone 5S. Wicklow farmer Michael Keegan is hoping to restore the tractor which helped his grandfather win the 1964 World Ploughing Championship.
Director: Philip Bromwell
Best 1 minute short, New Media, filmed on a mobile or smart device
Winner: iday
One minute video concentrating on energy and power
Director/producer: Ivor Carroll
The Spirit of the Festival Award was presented in recognition of a film, television programme or event that encapsulates the spirit of the Sky Road TV & Film Festival each year.
Winner: It Came From Connemara!!
This feature documentary tells the unique story behind Roger Corman’s film factory in Connemara.
Director/Producer: Brian Reddin
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