RTÉ Young Peoples Documentary "On the Block" has won the Prix Danube in the Documentary Category at the Prix Danube International TV Festival of Programmes for Children and Youth, which took place from the 19th-25th September, in Bratislavska, Slovakia.
"On the Block" was chosen from a shortlist of 27 other documentary programmes in its category. The programme was produced by Cuan MacConghaill and Hilary O’ Donovan and directed by Katie Lincoln for Macalla Teoranta for RTÉ.
The Prix Danube Festival is a bi-annual international festival of programmes for children and youth. Primarily organized by Slovak Television, this year’s event was held in late September in Bratislava, with 39 countries entering 218 programmes into the competition.
"On the Block" was screened on RTÉ Two on Christmas Day and followed several young film makers as they captured their memories of their neighbourhood - one of Dublin’s most well known flat complexes, Fatima Mansions.
At the time of filming ‘On the Block’, the youngest filmmaker was eight years old and the eldest only 12. The doco is a candid and humorous look at the physical transformation that takes place in and on the flats of Fatima Mansions as they are demolished and replaced by a new estate of urban homes, through the eyes of the children that live there. Interviews with Bertie Ahern and the President Mary McAleese also feature.
The BCI have agreed to fund four more episodes of ‘On the Block’.
Commissioning Editor, RTÉ Young Peoples Programmes, Sheila DeCourcy said:
“I am thrilled that ‘On the Block’ has been given the recognition it deserves,” said Sheila De Courcy, Commissioning Editor for RTE Young People’s Programmes. “Special mention must also be given to Macalla and The Fatima Film Club run by The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children for all their involvement and cooperation. The BCI have agreed to fund four more episodes of ‘On the Block’ so we can look forward to seeing stories of life through the eyes of youngsters in four more communities around Ireland.”
