Ocean FM wins big at New York awards
PRODUCTION CLAIMS FIRST IN DRAMA CATEGORY
OCEAN FM has scooped a major drama award in New York for its production, Francisco.
In partnership with Benbo Productions, the station won the main prize at the New York Festivals International Radio Competition.
Francisco was written, directed and co- produced by Donal O'Kelly/ Benbo Productions and recorded in The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton.
The Award, presented in Manhattan, fought off competition from the UK, USA and New Zealand to take first in the drama category.
Francisco is based on the writings of Captain Don Francisco De Cuellar, shipwrecked from the Armada of ships sent by Phillip II of Spain to invade Queen Elizabeth's England in 1588.
Undertaking an incredible journey across the North West of Ireland in an effort to return to Spain, De Ceullar gave a unique insight into Irish society at this time.
CEO of Ocean FM Tim Collins said: “Telling this story on radio has been an obsession of our team here at Ocean for a number of years and was a next step on from a series of documentaries we produced on the Armada.
“Donal O'Kelly had shared the same obsession and the logic of adapting his successful stage play on de Cuellar for radio was inescapable. The model we have created with Benbo between broadcaster and creative engine has continued with a number of plays currently in production.
“This success reflects the wealth of artistic talent based in the North West and the value of the creative partnerships developed by Ocean.”
Mr Collins added: “We have had an extraordinary run of success in the past 18 months having won the IMRO Award for Commitment to Irish music two years in a row, seven PPI Awards including five Golds, The Prix Europa and now another first for “Francisco” in the most sought after international radio awards, Gold in the New York Festivals International Radio Awards.”