Físín gives young film-makers a helping hand

LOCAL businesses that support the Dingle Film Festival were warmly praised for helping to promote and develop young talent by Físín organiser Tor Cotton.

Físín, which aims to encourage young film-making talent, is run as part of the film festival and is fortunate to have the support of John Benny’s, the Grapevine Hostel and Benner’s Hotel who provide food and accommodation during the different stages of the Irish language short film script competition.

Speaking about this year’s entries Tor said: “bhíodar ana-mhaith agus smaoineamh ana-shuimiúil ag an mbuaiteoir”.

“The judges, Nuala O’Connor, Marina Ní Dhubhain, Ciara Mc Kenna and former Físín winner Paul Webster, were impressed by ‘Ciunas’, which explored the ways in which love can be communicated without saying ‘I love you’, ” Tor said. The prize will equip winning scriptwriter Tristen Heanue with the tools and expertise to develop the script into a film which will be shown at next year’s film festival.

Meanwhile, young and local talent were to the fore in the Kingdom Shorts series of short films developed in Kerry. The films included “The Rogue”, a term used by Jimmy Flannery in describing the impact of the Dingle Dolphin on his life and that of three generations of his family. Also screened was a beautiful, touching portrait of the love of a man caring for his Alzheimer affected wife as seen through the eyes of their son at home on a visit. This short film was a collaboration between Castlegregory couple writer Ailbhe Keogan and cameraman Michael Kelly.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Ben Kavanagh from Killarney, who is a self proclaimed future film-maker, made a great start in the trade with an amusing take crime prevention in schools in his short film ‘Word of Mouth’ and Fiona Griffin from Milltown presented a testimony to the work and life of an tAth Pádraig Ó Fiannachta through the eyes of his relations and friends and artists he supported.

The capacity crowd were enthusiastic in applause but the short film award did not rest in the Kingdom. Instead it was won by ‘Time Traveller’ which told the story of a Traveller boy who strives to finish his replica of a DeLorean before his family are evicted from their halting site.

Linda Bhreathnach, Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich, Mairéad and Brian de Staic at the reception in the Phoenix Cinema on Saturday night before the premier of ‘Black 47’.

RTE journalist Seán Mac a’ tSithigh with his parents Gearóid and Patsy in St James’s Church after a selection of some of Seán’s best news reports from the past 10 years was screened to a full house on Friday night.

Photo by Joan Maguire Diarmaid Ferriter and Nuala O’Connor in the Phoenix before the world premier of ‘Keepers of the Flame’.

Niamh Ní Ghrifín with her sister Fiona (right) whose documentary on Mons Pádraig Ó Fiannachta was screened during the film festival.