Galway Film Fleadh: Awards Edition
Film Festival Celebrates Irish and International Filmmakers
The Galway Film Fleadh is now behind us, and it is time to look back and recognize the unique talent that filmmakers brought to this rich and exciting festival. Of course, the Fleadh already held their official award ceremony Sunday night, but we have a few more that were not included. I watched quite a lot of films this week, but for these awards I’ve enlisted the help of the one man who probably knows more of the Fleadh’s films than anyone; festival programmer Gar O’Brien. Here we go.
Best Use of Cutaways to Cups of Tea: My Name Is Emily
Ireland loves her tea, and like a proper Irish film, My Name Is Emily features lush green landscapes, thoughtful literary introspections, and lots and lots of tea.
Best Use of the Phrase “Feck Off” In A Children’s Film: Song of the Sea
Another staple of Irish culture, the phrase “feck off” derives from the Irish language, but perhaps owes its popularity to its similarity to a certain English phrase. So it’s not at all shocking to find it on display in a beautifully animated children’s film, however, Song of the Sea did retain the original Gaelic spelling, “feic.”
Best Shotgunning of a Can of Red Bull: Bloodsucking Bastards
A horror comedy about some friends who discover the company they work for is run by vampires. When fighting the undead, injecting caffeine as quickly and efficiently as possible is a vital skill.
Best Cautionary Tale About Hiring A Babysitter: Emelie
Gar suggested this one, and then told me to hire a sitter and take my wife. I think I’ll pass.
Best Movie Made For Less Than $500: A Day Like Today
Indeed, Garard Walsh’s feature film redefines the term “low-budget,” but proves that real emotions and performance don’t actually cost a thing.
Most Gut-Wrenching Performance From A Child Actor, Ever: President
Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s film about a deposed dictator on the lam with his grandson is moving and remarkable for so many reasons, but it is five-year-old Dachi Orvelashvili’s performance that actually carries the film.
On a personal note, enjoying the Film Fleadh this year has been an honor. The organizers and volunteers approach the festival with a passion and love for film that is infectious. There is an accessibility to everything, a perfectly Irish warmth and friendliness that makes Galway feel like a second home. Participating in a film festival showcasing such a wide range of talent is one thing, but meeting new people and talking late into the night on the banks of the Corrib River is an experience altogether its own. The Galway Film Fleadh has earned its reputation as one of the coolest film festivals in the world, and I hope this is only my first of many.
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August 13th 2015
6:54am
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August 13th 2015
6:55am
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December 10th 2015
3:14am
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April 13th 2019
5:06am
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