Winner ‘chuffed’ with award at Limerick-based film festival

A STORY about a boy who regrets his last words to his best friend saw a 14-year old filmmaker take home the title of Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year. 

Sean Tracy was named Ireland’s Young Senior Filmmaker of the Year at the 2019 Limerick Fresh Film Festival for his short film ‘Rue’.

The awards, a highlight of the annual festival for young creatives, covered both senior and junior filmmakers and took place at the Odeon Cinema in Castletroy. 

“To win is an absolute honour, especially considering the quality of the films that were entered,” Sean said. 

“I think this year's films are the highest quality that Fresh Film has ever received.” 

“They were all absolutely outstanding and any of them could have placed first,” he added. 

“I am really honoured and chuffed that it was this film that won. It's one that me and the actors worked really hard on.” 

“I couldn't have done it without them, and they were amazing,” the young filmmaker from Ashford in Wicklow said. 

“I can't thank Fresh Film Festival enough for organising the whole event, it was just fantastic.”

Students from Corpus Christi Primary School in Moyross also received a special mention from the judges for ensemble at Ireland’s Young Junior Filmmaker of the year 2019 for their short film, ‘Hon the Treaty.’ 

The short film revolves around the telling of the story of the Limerick hurler’s journey to glory in 2018 after waiting 45 years.

Speaking about their win, the students from Corpus Christi Primary School said: “We’re delighted to win.” 

“We loved making it and worked really hard, so it’s great that the hard work paid off. We’d encourage anyone interested in film to enter next year as it’s a great opportunity and encourages young people to make films.”

Other winners at the awards included students from Clare who were part of the Sparks Film Group, Cal Arnold O’Driscoll a 16-year-old student from Dublin, Ivan Fair, an 11-year-old student from Mayo and students of Kilcoona National School in Galway. Fresh Film Festival encourages young people, aged seven to 18 years, to create films, while gives them the chance to see their work on a cinema screen.  “Ireland’s Young Filmmaker has a very interesting approach,” said festival director Jayne Foley. “Storytelling is at the core because the budget is usually either low or non-existent, filmmakers have to be very inventive with plot and location. The festival is a forum where young film-makers can meet each other. Even at that stage networking is important.”