Irish Abroad: Five Irish films to be honoured at Irish Film Festival, Boston

Earlier we announced that One Million Dubliners will receive the Director’s Choice Award at the Irish Film Festival in Boston later this month. Four more awards have been announced by festival organisers, with Niall Heery’s Gold taking Best Feature, Oscar nominated short Boogaloo and Graham winning Best Short, Paul Murphy’s The Weather Report getting Director’s Choice Short, and finally Irish official Best Foreign language Oscar entry An Bronntanas being awarded a Special Jury Prize.

Black comedy Gold will open the festival on March 19th, with Boogaloo and Graham screening also.  One Million Dubliners and Boogaloo and Graham will screen the following evening, with director Aoife Kelleher and producer Rachel Lysaght in attendance. Paul Murphy will also attend the festival.

On Saturday, March 21st, An Bronntanas will screen. Speaking on the selection and award Producer Ciarán Ó Cofaigh said:
[quote]We were very proud of the success of the series when it was broadcast recently on TG4, but it’s apparent that the film version has its own legs.  The production of An Bronntanas was an enormous challenge and we believe we have achieved this production to a high international standard.  Winning this award in Boston and the film’s selection for many other festivals will further promote the film and the Irish language.[/quote]

Ian Power’s banking drama The Guarantee, three documentaries Blood Fruit, Mairead Farrell: An Unfinished Conversation, and Dolores Keane: A Storm in the Heart, and Rob and Ronan Burke’s romantic comedy Standby will also screen during the festival.

There will also be two short film programs on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, along with a free children’ s program.

The Irish Film Festival, Boston runs Thursday, March 19th until Sunday, March 22nd.