Irish production company Zanita Film’s ‘T-Rex’ advert for DDB Canada swept the boards at the Irish advertising fest, the 2005 Shark Festival and Awards, in Ennis. 'T-Rex' won six awards, including Best Direction, Best Animation, Best New Director (Ruairi Robinson) and the Palme D’Or for best production company.
It was a night of unprecedented success for Irish advertising as McCann Erickson scooped a Grand Prix for their Heineken ‘China’ campaign. Best International New Director was awarded to L.A. based but Cork born, Lena Beug; runner up in the Best Young Creative category went to McConnells’ creative, Emma Hogan while other Irish winners included advertising agencies; DDFH&B, McConnells, Rothco and Cawley Nea TBWA.
The international awards sections were dominated by Wieden+Kennedy UK’s ‘Grrr’ campaign which took five trophies including the overall Festival Grand Prix. The surreal animated commercial is well known to audiences featuring diesel engines flying through the sky to the catchy ‘Hate something – to change something’ anthem.
John Holohan, Festival Director, commenting on this year’s show said ‘We had a fantastic event this year. Though the rain tried to wash us into the Fergus, the quality of the events we staged and the work that was entered kept everyone’s spirits high. It was especially gratifying to see a jury of such international renowned award so many trophies to Irish commercials. Zanita Films’ Milk work was so extraordinary and humorous that it just jumps out at you from the screen.”
