The US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has accepted Ireland’s Galway Film Fleadh as a qualifying festival in their annual Awards Short Film Catgories.
The winners of the Fleadh’s James Horgan Award for best animation and the Tiernan McBride Award for best short drama will automatically qualify for Oscar consideration without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules.
Out of 7,000 film festivals worldwide only 68 have Oscar-qualifying accreditation and only one other Irish film festival, the Foyle Film Festival, has achieved this status to date.
Miriam Allen, Managing Director of the Galway Film Fleadh said “This is a great opportunity for Irish Filmmakers and has firmly placed the Galway Film Fleadh on the international stage.”
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan said “Galway Film Fleadh is Ireland’s leading festival and is pivotal in the national cultural diary. Each year it builds on the succesess and experiences of the previous edition and now in its 24th year is most deserving of this accolade.”
The Irish Film Board’s James Hickey stressed the significance of the Oscar short film awards on the Irish industry “Seven Irish short films in receipt of IFB funding have been nominated for an Academy Award since 2001, indicating the world class talent of Ireland's up and coming filmmakers. A nomination in this category brings with it international recognition for the entire Irish film industry.”
The Irish Film & Television Academy’s Áine Moriarty said "Congratulations to the Fleadh. This Irish festival has earned a great reputation around the world for debuting new Irish talent in short film and this automatic qualification is a great achievement for the Fleadh."
The Festival’s principal funder The Arts Council said this " recognises the important role of the Fleadh in platforming the work of Irish film-makers and artist."
Winners of the Galway Film Fleadh shorts awards in 2011 were Tom Sullivan’s ‘Asal’ and Phil Harrison’s ‘Even Gods’ (Live action, joint winners) and Kealan O’Rourke’s ‘The Boy Who Lived in a Bubble’ (Animation).
For further information visit www.galwayfilmfleadh.com
