Natalia wins Oscar for her magical Dunnes Stores film
THE Odeon Cinema in Charlestown, Dublin 11, was the location for the third annual LauraLynn Oscars ceremony, which saw eight wonderful short films made by LauraLynn families premiere at a black tie event featuring limos, a red carpet reception, screaming fans, and an invite-only exclusive screening.
The evening ended with each movie receiving its very own ‘LauraLynn Oscar’, presented on the evening by 2FM radio presenter Tracy Clifford.
Local girl Natalia Zalewski (5) and her family starred in “Natalia and The Penguin”, a heart-warming film about a little girl who would like to work in Dunnes Stores, just that there’s just one obstacle between her and her ideal job …a penguin.
Shot on location in Dunnes Stores in Scotch Hall Drogheda, the film was awarded Best Adventure, with the special LauraLynn Oscar presented to Natalia after the premiere by Tracy Clifford.
The LauraLynn Oscars is a muchloved event in the hospice’s calendar and involves LauraLynn children, their siblings, and their parents writing, producing and starring in their very own short films with the generous help of industry professionals.
Shot on location in various counties around Ireland, the films span a range of genres, including comedy, action, animation and drama, with all films edited and produced by Windmill Lane Studios. Each year the Oscars aim to foster whole family engagement while therapeutically supporting anticipatory loss within the family, with the final output of the project providing a tangible, post-bereavement legacy for families to cherish.
This year the awards were hosted by Baz Ashmawy, who commented: “The children and their families have put so much work into these films, and it really showed: each production was of a really high professional quality, and everyone involved can be hugely proud of them.
‘We all had such a ball today, starting with hair and makeup at LauraLynn followed by VIP transport to the cinema, and then the red carpet with screaming fans. It was an amazing evening with memories that everyone will cherish.”
LauraLynn, the only dedicated children’s hospice in the State, provides clinical care, healthcare support, and palliative care services to children with exceptional and life-limiting conditions. It costs €5.2m per year to run LauraLynn’s Children’s Hospice, €4.2m of must be generated through fundraised income from events and activities.