After another outstanding festival of Irish and international film premieres, screenings, workshops and discussions the 31st Galway Film Fleadh came to a close on Sunday July 14, 2019. The annual awards ceremony took place before the screening of the closing film Never Grow Old with the top awards going to A Bread Factory directed by Patrick Wang for Best International Film; Stage: The Culinary Internship directed by Abbie Ainsworth for Best International Documentary, and The Best of Dorien B. directed by Anke Blonde for Best International First Feature.

The Best of Dorien B. is a comedy-drama about a woman who rediscovers herself amid chaos. Dorien has everything to be happy: a successful husband, two adorable children and a booming veterinary practice. One day, everything falls apart. She discovers her mother’s long-running love affair, her husband appears to be very close to a colleague, and she has this lump in her breast. Dorien realizes it’s time to make some changes.

A Bread Factory is an ambitious project comprising two feature films written and directed by Patrick Wang. Starring Tyne Daly and Elisabeth Henry as a couple who are fighting to keep their local arts center open. Part two: Walk With Me a While. Forty years ago, Dorothea and Greta transformed an abandoned bread factory in the sleepy town of Checkford, transforming it into a vibrant arts space. It quickly became the heart of their local community, showcasing theatre, dance, music and film. Suddenly their very existence is threatened as a big business celebrity couple move into town and construct an enormous competitive arts venue, sucking up funding and audiences almost overnight. Starring Tyne Daly (Spiderman: Homecoming, Judging Amy, Cagney & Lacey) and James Marsters (Buffy, the Vampire Slayer).

Stage: The Culinary Internship follows a group of interns during a nine month apprenticeship at one of the best restaurants in the world, Mugaritz. While the restaurant’s notorious avant-garde cuisine and creative working environment elevates these young hopefuls to think outside the confines of a kitchen, the extremely high standards prove to be mentally and physically exhausting. Ultimately, not everyone can handle the heat.

Winners of the 31st Galway Film Fleadh Awards

Best International First Feature

The Best of Dorien B.
Director: Anke Blonde
Producer: Dries Phylpo, Jean Claude Van Rijckeghem, Marien Slot

Best International Documentary

Stage: The Culinary Internship
Director: Abbie Ainsworth
Producer: Jamie Kastner & Lindsey Kutner

Best International Film

A Bread Factory
Director: Patrick Wang
Producer: Daryl Freimark, Matt Miller, Patrick Wang

Best International Short Documentary

After the Silence
Directed & Produced: by Sonam Larcin

Best International Short Animation

Roadkill
Directed & Produced: by Leszek Mozga

Best International Short Fiction

Brotherhood
Director: Joobeur Meryam
Producer: Maria Gracia Turgeon & Habib Attia

Best Human Rights Film in association with Amnesty International

For Sama
Director: Waad al-Kateab & Edward Watts
Producer: Waas Al-Kateab

Don Quijote Award for Best Animated Short Film

Featherweight
Director: Kayleigh Gibbons
Producer: Richard Gordon

The FICC jury awarded the Don Quijote prize to Featherweight for its touching storytelling style and expressive animation dealing with the universal theme of grief.

Best Animated Sequence in A Short Film in Association with Brown Bag Films

Abe’s Story
Director: Adam H Stewart
Producer: Eilish Kent

The Donal Gilligan Award for Best Cinematography in a Short Film in association with Irish Society of Cinematographers

Rip to the Rescue!
Director: Paudie Baggott
Producer: Sarah Barr

The Best Short Documentary Award in association with Gresan na Mean Skillnet Training

HYDEBANK
Director: Ross McClean
Producer: Noe Mendelle, Flore Cosquer, Christine Morrow & Chris Kelly

The Best First Short Drama in association with Mazars

Bainne
Director: Jack Reynor
Producer: Laura Hickey & Emer O’Shea

The Best First Short Animation Award

Archie’s Bat
Directed & Produced by Shannon Egan

The James Horgan Award for Best Animation

Streets of Fury
Directed & Produced by Aidan McAteer

The Tiernan McBride Award for Best Short Drama in association with Network Ireland Television

Cynthia
Director: Jack Hickey
Producer: Laura Hickey

Best Cinematography in an Irish Feature in association with Teach Solais

Finky
Director Of Photography: Cathal Watters

Pitching Award in association with 101 Films

What Would Rocky Do?
Pitcher: Roisin Jones

Best Marketplace Project Award in association with Bankside Films

Watermelon Seeds
Project Owner: Kate Swan (Bonnie Film)

Best Irish Documentary

Breaking Out
Director: Michael McCormack
Producer: Aideen O’Sullivan & Michael McCormack

Best Irish First Feature in Association with Saffrey Champness

A Bump Along The Way
Director: Shelly Love
Producer: Louise Gallagher

The Bingham Ray New Talent Award in Association With Magnolia Pictures

Winner: Lola Petticrew (A Bump Along The Way)

The nominees are:

• Mike Ahern Extra Ordinary
• Enda Loughman Extra Ordinary
• Lola Petticrew A Bump Along The Way
• Lauryn Canny Darlin’
• Tristan Heanue Ciúnas (Silence)

The Galway Hooker Award for Outstanding Achievement

The recipients are:

James Schmaus
Ros Hubbard
Jon Hubbard

Best Irish Film in Association with Danu Media

Extra Ordinary