The first Fastnet Short Film Festival took place in Schull last weekend and has been applauded as a resounding success. Film-makers from around the world submitted their works, and over 80 films were shown during the three-day period.
The festival itself had an impressive list of patrons and this, along with the lead up promotion of the event, encouraged some top quality producers to enter their films. With the picturesque backdrop of Schull you’d be forgiven for likening it to the ‘slightly larger’ event taking place in France at the same time!
In the words of the organisers ‘the aim of the Fastnet Short Film Festival is to bring together established and future film makers and provide a forum to celebrate the short film genre. Our wish is to build this festival into an event recognised by the film industry, and to identify and encourage film makers of the future.’
Well the celebration was an undoubted success, and with the goodwill expressed by many and the enthusiasm and professionalism of the organisers, this is sure to build into an annual affair that can only go from strength to strength.
Although not a competition as such, the judging panel did select films for various categories that were given special recognition. These were:
Best of Festival: ‘An Cosc’ – directed by Vincent Gallagher
Best Drama: ‘Penny’ – directed by Paddy O’Shea
Best Cinematography: ‘Tart’ – directed by Mairtin De Barra
Best Use of Music: ‘Of Best Intentions’ – directed by Brian Durnin
Best Comedy: ‘Hammerhead’ – directed by Sam Donovan
Best Director: ‘Play’ directed by Muriel d’Ansembourg
Best Documentary: ‘The Stolen Generation’ by Kim Houghton and Pól O Conghaile
Best Experimental/Animated Film: ‘Tomato Soup’ by Paul O’ Brien
Best Screenplay: ‘The Escort’ – by Clare Holman
Here’s the official Fastnet Short Film Festival site, and here’s a photo taken from the closing ceremony acknowledging the efforts of the organising committee:
Well done everyone, great stuff and immensely enjoyable, and we look forward to Schull 2010!
Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival Announces Continued Corona Sponsorship
The Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival is delighted to announce the continued sponsorship of the Festival by Barry and Fitzwilliam, who import the worlds biggest selling Mexican Beer, Corona. The Festival will run from Thursday the 27th May 2010 for four days. Maurice Seezer, Film Composer and Chairman of the Festival Committee announced the sponsorship this week saying, "Securing Corona as our title sponsor was a tremendous boost to us last year and has proven to be a very successful partnership. It has enabled us to expand on last years successful event and to enhance the Mexican connection further by introducing a selection of Mexican Shorts donated by IMCINE, The Mexican Film Institute. The collection includes a selection of short films from 2009 and one filmed to celebrate the centennial of Mexican Independence. 'We’ve just presented them in Clermont Ferrand Film Festival and it was great, we hope you like them', said Pablo Briesno, Head of International Sales at IMCINE.
This year's festival will offer film lovers an exciting and packed programme to include screenings at various venues around Schull, (including the 100 seater mobile cinema), workshops for film makers of all ages with a special focus on screenwriting and script to screen, interviews with various famous national and international film personnel and many more fringe events.
A special prize of €2,500 for the best young filmmaker aged 22 years or younger will be awarded. The Best of Festival Award is open to all filmmakers over 18 years of age and also carries a prize of €2,500, plus additional cash prizes of €250 for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Drama, Best Comedy, Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best Original Music, Best Cinematography and Best Experimental/ Dance.
Some of our contributors will be, world renowned Irish Novelist Patrick McCabe, (his books include The Butcher Boy and Breakfast on Pluto, both shortlisted for the Booker Prize and adapted for filmed by Neil Jordan), Author, Director and Patron of the Festival, Gerard Stembridge, Jack Gold, who famously filmed the feature film Catholics in and around Baltimore and Cape Clear in 1973. BAFTA nominee, Chris O'Dell, Cinematographer of the ever popular Morse and Lewis series, Irish Director, Ian Power will also contribute, showing a selection of his short films and exclusive clips from his upcoming feature film The Runway, recently shot in West Cork, and Producer of The Runway, Macdarra Kelleher. We await final confirmation from other giants of Irish Film….
The Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival is an independent festival, dedicated to bringing together established and first-time filmmakers to celebrate the short film. The element of competition is not paramount and while the prizes are significant, the screening of as many as possible of the entrant’s films in a public arena is far more important. Participants will have the opportunity to meet established film makers and take part in workshops as well as viewing the work of established filmmakers.
This year’s festival promises to be bigger and even better than last years. Keep an eye on our website for further information and announcements: http://www.fastnetshortfilmfestival.com
Or contact Hilary McCarthy on 085 1588 309
Photo includes Top: Helen Wells Festival Committee Vice Chair, Maurice Seezer Committee Chairman, Pauline Cotter Festival Coordinator.