31 May 2017
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
German Short, ‘Backstory’ directed by Joshua Laukeninks, takes home Best of Festival at the 2017 Fastnet Film Festival Award Ceremony
The festival, which took place from the 24th to the 28th of May saw huge crowds of filmmakers from all over the world descend on Schull, Co. Cork for the duration of the 5 days. Chris Donoghue was Master of Ceremonies at the Gala Awards ceremony event in the Schull Harbour Hotel. All in all a great end to very successful festival.
The five-day event saw various gala screenings, premiers, Seminars and Masterclasses with lots of international film experts including, Jim Sheridan, David Puttnam, Lenny Abrahamson, Maureen Hughes, Gerry Stembridge, Gisli Snaer, John Kelleher and Hilary Durman. More than 70 guests participated, including Crash Ensemble, Kevin Brownlow and Carl Davis. Over 400 short films were screened across 17 different venues, from the Library, to the hotel, to pub and Café viewings, to screenings on Long Island and all over town. Visitors also attended feature screenings, film quizzes and nightly live music.
Awards Prestented on the night:
BEST OF FESTIVAL
Cash Prize of €5,000 and an original Pat Connor sculpture – Category Judge: FFF Committee
Backstory – Joshua Laukeninks, Germany, 08:00 | Drama
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
Trophy + 2 Return Flights anywhere on the Turkish Airline Network. Sponsored by Turkish Airlines – Category Judge: Gisli Snaer
The Good Mother – Sarah Clift – Mexico | 05:36 | Comedy
BEST IRISH SHORT FILM
Cash Prize of €1,500 – Category Judge: John Kelleher
Love is a Sting – Vincent Gallagher Ireland | 18:24 | Drama
BEST YOUNG FILMMAKER (U19)
Cash Prize of €1,000 – Category Judge: Ronan O’Leary
Journey – Radheya Jegatheva Australia | 15:50 | Under 19
BEST IN CORK
Cash Prize of €500 – Sponsored by Cork County Council – Category Judge: Carmel Winters
Joint Winners:
God’s Own Children Michael Lindley Ireland | 17:24 | Comedy & Drama
Women’s Christmas Night – Oonagh Kearney – Ireland | 05:30 | Art House
BEST DRAMA
Cash Prize of €200 – Category Judge: Pat Kiernan
The School Bag – Dheeraj Jindal – India | 15:00 | Drama
BEST COMEDY
Cash Prize of €200 – Category Judge: Gerard Stembridge
dark_net – Tom Marshall – UK | 12:30 | Comedy
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Cash Prize of €200 – Category Judge: Hilary Durman & Jeffrey Wright
Fay Presto – Queen of Close Up – Hanna Aqvilin – UK | 16:03 | Documentary
Beautiful Boy – John Gleeson – Ireland | 15:26 | Documentary
BEST ARTHOUSE
Cash Prize of €200 – Category Judge: Denis Akiyama
My Ireland – Myles O’Reilly – Ireland | 11:49 | Art House
BEST ANIMATION
Cash Prize of €200 – Category Judge: Team DADDY
Fox and the Whale – Robin Joseph – Canada | 12:03 | Animation
JACK GOLD PRIZE FOR BEST DIRECTION
Trophy & Cash Prize of €250 – Category Judge: Lenny Abrahamson
Pregnant Pause – Alice Seabright – UK | 13:00 | Drama
BEST SCREENPLAY
Cash Prize of €250 – Category Judge: Donal Beecher
A Whole World for a Little World – Fabrice Bracq – France | 15:00 | Drama
BEST MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN
Cash Prize of €250 – Category Judge: Maurice Seezer
The Swelling – Music: Johannes Koeniger
Sound Design: Gordon Krei – Germany | 15:00 | Drama
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Cash Prize of €250 – Category Judge: Chris O’Dell
Incomplete – Pierre Baboin – France | 12:22 | Drama
BEST EDITING
Cash Prize of €250 – Category Judge: Colm Crowley
My Ireland – Myles O’Reilly – Ireland | 11:49 | Art House
