Fifteen filmmakers, actors and industry professionals travelled to Boston for the annual film festival. On opening night, the 800 seat Somerville theater one was packed to capacity for the screening of Steph Green’s film ‘Run and Jump’, this year’s Best Breakthrough Feature, with cast member Ruth McCabe (Philomena) along with Ms. Green and Tamara Anghie, producer, in attendance. The Most Inspiring Best Short film ‘Volkswagen Joe’, with director Brian Deane and co-producer/editor Eamonn Cleary in attendance, also screened that evening.
Friday night saw another sold out show for the Director’s choice short film award with director Ian Fitzpatrick present for his film ‘Breakfast Wine’ along with actor Dylan Moran. Lance Daly’s ‘Life’s a Breeze’ received the Directors Choice Feature award with Kelly Thornton, nominated for an IFTA for her roll in the film, present to accept the award.
The Global Vision Best Documentary went to Donald Taylor-Black’s ‘Skin in the Game’, and the director also made the trip over from Ireland for the screening and award ceremony. A Special jury prize was awarded this year to the film ‘Noble’ directed by Stephen Bradley and starring Deirdre O’Kane (Intermission). Both attended.
‘The Irish Pub’ closed the festival with director Alex Fagan in attendance, along with Ken
Lynam’s film ‘Handing Down the Tunes’. The closing night was also a complete sell out in the large Somerville Theater.
“The festival was truly a success with houses selling out all weekend, great Q&A’s and very gracious visiting filmmakers,” says festival Director, Dawn Morrissey. “We’re going to consider yet another expansion within the theatre space next year, with people lining down the street for most screenings, there is certainly a much higher demand for Irish film in the USA now”.