That’s a wrap! – 35th Galway Film Fleadh comes to a close

The 35th edition of the Galway Film Fleadh has come to an end after another outstanding year, with Apocalypse Clown being named the best Irish film.

With sold out screenings across the festival programme the Fleadh featured 95 feature films and 102 short films featuring the best of Irish and World cinema.

The annual awards ceremony took place on Sunday 16 July before the closing film, Let the Canary Sing which chronicled Cyndi Lauper’s meteoric ascent to stardom and her profound impact that extends across her music, ever-evolving punk style.

The winner of Best Irish Film, in association with Danu Media was Apocalypse Clown, directed by George Kane, written by Demian Fox, George Kane, Shane O’Brien and James Walmsley and produced by Morgan Bushe and James Dean.

Apocalypse Clown follows a troupe of failed clowns as they embark on a chaotic road trip of self-discovery after a mysterious solar event plunges the world into anarchy.

Winning Best Irish First Feature was Lie of The Land directed by John Carlin, written by Tara Hegarty and produced by Chris Patterson and Margaret McGoldrick.

A tense drama unfolds in this first feature as the Wards prepare to abandon their lives, escaping a dire financial situation, a last-minute change of heart leaves them fighting for survival

The Graceless Age – The Ballad of John Murry, won the best Irish documentary award on the night, written and directed by Sarah Share and produced by Nuala Cunningham, John Galway, Aeschylus Poulos.

This is the story of American singer songwriter John Murry who was on the cusp of greatness after the release of his highly acclaimed album The Graceless Age (2013) when his world fell apart.

The beautiful documentary charts his journey from near death to redemption and a new zest for life and art.

Awards

Generation Jury Award

SCRAPPER | Director, Charlotte Regan

Producer, Theo Barrowclough

Best International Short Fiction

LAST CALL | Director, Harry Holland

Best International Short Animation

GLOBBY THE DRAGON | Directors, Xin Sun and Yun Li

Best International Short Documentary

MARUNGKA TJALATJUNU (Dipped In Black) | Directors, Matthew Thorne and Derik Lynch

Donal Gilligan Award for Best Cinematography in a Short Film with the Irish Society Cinematographers (ISC) supported by Celtic Grips

TWO FOR THE ROAD | Cinematographer, Eoin McLoughlin

Best First Short Animation Award with Brown Bag Films

PINOKIDOKI | Director/Writer/Producer: Jack C.

Best Cinematography in an Irish Film with Teach Solais

LIES WE TELL | Cinematographer, Eleanor Bowman

World Cinema Competition

PAST LIVES | Director, Celine Song

Producers, David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon, Pamela Koffler

Peripheral Visions Award with Galway Cultural Company

THE LAND WITHIN | Director, Fisnik Maxville

Producers, Thomas Reichlin, Britta Rindelaub and Valon Bajgora

Best International Film

HERE | Director, Bas Devos

Producer, Marc Goyens

Best International Documentary

ONE BULLET | Director, Carol Dysinger

Producers, Carol Dysinger, Su Kim, Ashim Bhalla and Jesper Jack.

The Pitching Award with Wild Atlantic Pictures

The winner is Eimear Morgan with her project ‘Billy Ruben + The Shunts’

The Galway Film Fair, in association with Bankside Films – Best Marketplace Project

BARFLY– Bridge Way Films, Chris Hees & Dan Thorburn

Best Irish Documentary

THE GRACELESS AGE – THE BALLAD OF JOHN MURRY | Director, Sarah Share

Producers, Nuala Cunningham, John Galway and Aeschylus Poulous

James Flynn Award for Best First Short Drama

BABY STEPS | Hannah Mamalis – Director

James Horgan Award for Best Animation (short) with Animation Ireland

WORRY WORLD | Director: Jessica Patterson

Best Short Documentary with TG4

BEING PUT BACK TOGETHER | David McDonagh – Director

Tiernan McBride Award for Best Short Drama

TWO FOR THE ROAD | Lochlainn McKenna – Director

Best Independent Film Award

VERDIGRIS | Director, Patricia Kelly

Producers, Paul Fitzsimons and Patricia Kelly

Bingham Ray New Talent Award with Magnolia Pictures

AGNES O’CASEY | (Lies We Tell/The Miracle Club)

Best Irish First Feature with Element Pictures

LIE OF THE LAND | Director, John Carlin

Producers, Chris Patterson and Margaret McGoldrick

Best Irish Film with Danu Media

APOCALYPSE CLOWN | Director, George Kane

Producers, Morgan Bushe