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Galway Film Centre and RTÉ have announced the winners of their 2009 Short Script Awards. The awards, which have been running in partnership with RTÉ since 1998, aim to develop new filmmaking talent in Ireland and the competition attracts submissions from aspiring writers and directors. Three awards of €9,500 were made to the successful script-writers in addition to the use of Film Centre equipment and facilities.

This year’s winners are as follows:

First-time director Medb Johnstone’s The Toll (To be produced by Clodagh Ní Bhric and Rosie McCarthy of Quattro Films) tells the story of a toll-booth worker and his encounters on his last day on the job. Medb is from Spideal and worked as an Assistant Director on one of the Film Centre’s 2008 Short Script winning films.

David Freyne’s Tarp, (Producer Rachel O’Kane) tells the story of a woman’s final journey with her husband across their farmland. David has directed a number of shorts and has worked with Coisceim Dance Company. David is also currently in post-production on a Filmbase/RTÉ funded short film The Mill.

James Phelan’s The Ottoman Empire, (Producer Geraldine Heffernan) tells the surreal story of a man who falls down the back of a couch only to discover an evil plot by the couches to take over the world. James recently wrote the seven part comedy drama Rasai na Gaillimhe/The Galway Races for TG4.

Declan Gibbons of the Galway Film Centre commented:
“These awards have been running for over ten years and to date we have completed more than thirty short films. This year we had over one hundred submissions and the standard of short-listed finalists was very high. It remains a very competitive award scheme and a vital fund for aspiring film-makers to get the chance to make a short film.”

In support of these comments Jane Gogan agreed:
“This has been a long standing gratifying partnership and is indicative of RTÉ’s support for the development of new film talent. The awards are not just an acknowledgement of writing, producing and directing talent in Ireland; the films also demonstrate the talents of a diverse range of television and film craftspeople and actors. They are therefore an important showcase for creative skills within the industry in Ireland.”

Viewers will have the opportunity to see the award winning films on RTÉ Television in the Short Screen strand on RTÉ Two early next year.

Galway Film Centre: www.galwayfilmcentre.ie

Filmbase also runs a similar award funded by RTÉ, the Filmbase/RTÉ Short Film Award. The next deadline for this scheme is 5pm on Friday 26th of June 2009. For more information visit the awards section of the Filmbase website here: www.filmbase.ie/awards

Posted in Awards News, Members News on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 Both comments and pings are currently closed.