Derry based
Westway Film Productions have received a Clarion Award for their children’s drama production ‘Sarah Moves On’. The UK awards celebrate examples of responsible communication on Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainable Development, Cultural/Social Aspiration and Social Inclusion.
‘Sarah Moves On’ was produced by Westway Film Productions for Channel 4 and the N.I. Community Relations Council. The drama, directed by Westway’s Órlagh Bann, depicts the life of nine-year-old Sarah (Megan Canavan), as she struggles to find happiness amid sectarian and family tensions in Northern Ireland. Since 1996, Westway has specialised in high quality low-budget drama production and their previous credits include ‘School Ties’, ‘What’s the Story?’ and the BAFTA nominated ‘Sarah and the Whammi’.
The 2005 Clarion Awards ceremony took place at the Lewis Media Centre in London on the 7th of September. A total of 30 awards were presented across all media platforms including video, interactive media, websites, live performance arts, radio, television, mainstream film, and paper based materials.
Joe Mahon of Westway Films, who is also a Board Member of the NIFTC commented: “It’s always gratifying to have your work recognised and in the past we have enjoyed considerable success with industry awards. But on this occasion, we are particularly gratified because the Clarion Awards recognise the social agenda of our drama. Education through drama is a difficult blend to achieve and the N.I. Community Relations Council put a lot of faith in us at the outset so we are delighted they are able to share in this acknowledgement of the impact of “Sarah Moves On.”
Wayne Drew, Chief Executive of the IVCA says “This year’s Clarion Awards have gained a momentum all their own. We’ve had a considerable amount of interest from across the spectrum of media, commerce and the arts. Their mission reflects a wider belief in business and society that communications can be motivational, inspiring and dynamic. There is a clear recognition that all of our work, whether in a corporate environment, on stage, in cinema or broadcast to people’s homes, can not only be engaging and effective but, occasionally, truly aspirational too.”
