Richard Harris Festival concludes 11th edition with red-carpet ceremony

OUTSTANDING talent was celebrated at the 11th Richard Harris International Film Festival, which concluded with a red-carpet ceremony.

In association with Amcomri Entertainment INC, the festival ended on October 29 at Thomond Park Stadium.

Following 111 screenings, 27 awards were handed out in the largest awards ceremony of its kind in Ireland, hosted by actors Sean Treacy and Maksuda Akhter. The festival screened the World Premiere of The Shamrock Spitfire, the story of RAF fighter ace Brendan ‘Paddy’ Finucane at UCH.

Jamie Dornan thanks Limerick's Richard Harris film festival in humble speech

Previously announced award winners were Jamie Dornan (RHIFF Outstanding Talent Award for 2023), Fiona Shaw (RHIFF Lifetime Achievement Award 2023) and Trish Long, General Manager Of Walt Disney Ireland (Special Recognition). As Jamie was unable to attend, a video of his acceptance speech was played during the event.

Among the big winners on the night was Bucky F*cking Dent, taking home both Best Director and Best Actor for David Duchovny, following its international premiere at UCH, with awards accepted on his behalf by Oscar nominated director Vincent Lambe and up-and-coming Irish actor Aoife Commons.

Also, winning big on the night was Advent, with the Best Actor in a Female Role nod going to Brid Ni Neachtain.
Matthew Holmes’ indie revenge-thriller from Australia, The Cost, won Best Feature, which was accepted on his behalf by Lambe.
Caolan Robertson’s The Eastern Front, featuring legendary war correspondents John Sweeney and Paul Conroy on the war in Ukraine was the winner in a highly competitive feature documentary category.

Festival director, Zeb Moore, said: “The breadth and depth of talent displayed on screen in our shorts and features, as recognised during the awards show is extraordinary.”

Among the presenters were composer Patrick Cassidy, actor Diarmuid Noyes and director Vincent Lambe.
The awards show was directed and produced by Zeb Moore and Rob Gill of Emerald Giant Productions, with entertainment provided by Hannah Kathleen.