Short film ‘The Wednesdays’ has won an award at the Filmfest Emden-Norderney in Germany; while ‘Green Grass’ and ‘Sugar Stick’ are set to screen at the forthcoming LA ShortsFest in the US.
‘The Wednesdays’, written by Luke Clancy & Conor Ferguson, directed by Conor Ferguson and produced by Anne Marie Naughton of Park Films, has won first place at the International Filmfest in Emden, Germany.
Receiving the Ostfriesische Kurzfilmpreis (East Frisian Short Film Award) with a Trophy and prize money, the prize was an audience award decided in three screenings. The Irish entry received the highest voting ever given to a short film since the competition was founded 12 years ago.
With an attendance of over 22,000 and screenings of over 100 films, director and writer Conor Ferguson is delighted that his film made such a strong impact on the German audience.
The International Filmfest Emden-Norderney is one of Germany’s most nationally acclaimed and internationally recognised film festivals. This current achievement can now be added to the list of awards which they have accumulated for this project including; Prix d'Honneur at Beauvais International Film Festival in October, the Olympus Prize for Best Photography at the International Film Festival of Badalona in Barcelona. The film has also been screened at festivals in Prague, Leeds, Madrid, London, Foyle and Lille.
The 11th LA Shorts fest (July 23 – 31) has seen Irish entries make the cut again this year. With an expected audience of over 10,000 movie goers, filmmakers and entertainment executives and having recognition by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences this is the world’s largest short film festival.
Irish films chosen this year for screening include; Jeff Craddock’s ‘Green Grass’, written by Karen Webb the film tells the story of an illegal immigrant and an Irish-American. ‘Green Grass’ was produced by Dawn Morrissey who is originally from Co. Kildare, and is also co-founder/co-director of The Boston Irish Film Festival Productions, the largest Irish film festival of its kind outside of Ireland.
'Sugar Stick', written and directed by 'Anton' and 'The Clinic' actress Laura Way, has also been officially selected to debut at the LA Shorts Film Festival. ’Sugar Stick' was filmed on a shoe string budget in a three hundred year old cottage in Kilmore Quay in Wexford. The film is the first part of a short film trilogy which Way plans to make in her home town over the next year. Director of Photography was Paddy Jordan, original film score was by Rori Coleman and post production by Lotus Films.
