A total of 14 productions commissioned and broadcast by TG4 have been shortlisted in the latest round of awards from IFTA, the Irish Film and Television Academy. Ten television programmes and four short films funded by the channel have made it through to the final short list and nominations against stiff competition from films and television programmes all over Ireland.
TG4 fared particularly well in the Short Film nominations, with four out of a total of six productions shortlisted – Cáca Milis, Éireville, An Leabhar and Limbo. All of these films were produced under the Lasair and Oscailt partnership initiatives to promote Irish film drama. The channel’s productions received two shortlistings each in three categories - Best Television Drama Series - Fear an Phoist and Ros na Rún, for Best Entertainment Programme – Amú san Áise and Flosc and for Best Single Documentary – Shackleton & Scott and Tomás Mac Eoin, Seó Aonair. Other TG4 productions shortlisted are Cuba-Sláinte Mhaith (News and Current Affairs), Sibéir, An Bealach ó Thuaidh (Best Documentary Series), Laochra Gael (Features -Lifestyle/Sport) and Caitlín, Naomh Dhá Phobal – (Features – Religion/Education/Children).
TG4 Ceannasaí Pól Ó Gallchóir, congratulated all the TG4 productions nominated for IFTA. He said the nominees reflected the quality and breadth of TG4 programming. “TG4 has received nominations and prizes at each IFTA since it’s the inception of these important awards in 1999,” he said. “We are very pleased at the record number of nominations for TG4 for this year’s awards. To have so many programmes selected by our peers in the television industry throughout the island is the highest compliment particularly given the budgetary constraints under which our producers operate.”
The IFTA Awards will be presented at a gala ceremony in Belfast in mid January 2003.
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