A special industry event in Galway celebrated 2 key anniversaries in film in the city, the fifth year of UNESCO City of Film and the 30th anniversary of Galway Film Centre. Alan Duggan Galway Film Centre Lelia Doolan and Film Director Joe Comerford. Photo:Andrew Downes, xposure
A special industry event in Galway celebrated 2 key anniversaries in film in the city, the fifth year of UNESCO City of Film and the 30th anniversary of Galway Film Centre. Alan Duggan Galway Film Centre Lelia Doolan and Film Director Joe Comerford. Photo:Andrew Downes, xposure

Lelia Doolan Receives UNESCO Film Award

Film producer Lelia Doolan was awarded Galway UNESCO ‘City of Film/Ceantar Scannán’ Award during a special event last week at Pálás Galway. The evening also celebrated Galway’s fifth year as City of Film and 30 years of Galway Film Centre.

In 2014 Galway became the fifth city in the world to achieve the status of UNESCO City of Film, in recognition of the rich history and vibrant culture of filmmaking that continues in the city and county to this day. Galway City of Film is now celebrating its 5th anniversary of that recognition, and is taking a wonderful opportunity to look back at what has been achieved so far.

In a happy coincidence, this year also marks 30 years since the founding of Galway Film Centre. With a number of short films, camps, community-led documentaries and other important film industry schemes under its belt, Galway Film Centre’s fingerprints, encouragement and vital support can be found on key projects across Galway city and county. The Centre provides access for local industry and talent to international connections across Europe and beyond, in additional to being an industry representative body lobbying within Ireland and overseas on behalf of local industry. The Centre facilitates inward production support through ScreenWest and the Galway Film Partnership in addition to development and production supports through the WRAP Fund.

We have made significant strides in developing initiatives to support local industry including the Fís TV Summit and the WRAP Fund and with the same spirit that delivered the designation itself, we continue to work with our partners to deliver initiatives locally such as Creative Enterprise West and to influence national policy making and regional planning for the industry.

Alan Duggan Manager – Galway Film Centre

With the confluence of these two events comes a unique opportunity to present our Galway UNESCO ‘City of Film/Ceantar Scannán’ Award to local film producer Lelia Doolan. It is difficult to think of anyone that has contributed more to the local film industry than Lelia Doolan and Galway City of Film wish to honor her and her legacy of incredible work by presenting this award to her as part of our celebrations.

The first time this was awarded, it was to Michael D. Higgins. It is an honour to be in such good company.” The award was hand-crafted by Galway designer Berina Kelly.

Lelia Doolan

Launched in 2014 by Uachtaráin Michael D. Higgins, Galway City of Film has offered valuable supports and resources to the filmmaking community in the city over the last five years that otherwise would not have been possible.

Originally launched in 2014 by Uachtaráin Michael D. Higgins, Galway City of Film has offered valuable supports and resources to the filmmaking community in the city over the last five years that otherwise would not have been possible.

Mayor of Galway Cllr. Mike Cobbard

With a number of short films, camps, community-led documentaries and other schemes under its belt, Galway Film Centre’s fingerprints can be found on fabulous projects all across Galway city and county.

Cllr. Jim McClearn, Cathaoirleach of Galway County

City of Film highlights include organising camps for young animators, hosting the One Minute Film Festival and 48 Hour Challenge, supporting short film funding schemes through Galway Film Centre such as Science on Screen and the RTE Short Film Scheme,

The award presentation was followed by a screening of Cumar, a feature film by Aodh Ó Coileáin celebrating Galway artists including Rita Ann Higgins, Tommy Tiernan and Noeline Kavanagh. Learn more about supports offered to filmmakers by visiting GalwayFilmCentre.ie