Cork Film “Christy” Wins Best Feature at Dingle Festival

The Dingle Distillery International Film Festival concluded today with the award for Best International Feature Film going to Christy. Directed by Brendan Canty, the film tells the poignant story of two estranged brothers from Cork as they navigate their troubled childhood. “Christy” was the festival’s opening film, which premiered on Friday night, featuring a Q&A session with actress Emma Willis.

This year’s festival showcased an array of films and events, attracting notable figures. Bertie Ahern, former Taoiseach of Ireland, was present for the screening of The Irish Question. This documentary, directed by Alan Gilsenan, explores the potential for a united Ireland and includes contributions from prominent figures such as Bill Clinton and Mary-Lou McDonald. Ahern also participated in a panel discussion about the documentary, which received a runner-up award in the Documentary Zone.

The short film competition saw Naked Lights, directed by Jeda de Brí, take home the Dovinia Award, supported by Brian de Staic and John Benny Moriarty’s Pub, along with a prize of €2,000. The award for Best International Documentary Film was claimed by A New Kind of Wilderness, directed by Silje Evensmo Jacobsen.

During the festival, acclaimed actor Aidan Gillen delivered a talk titled “Paths to Success – A Life in Film.” He expressed his admiration for Dingle, stating, “Dingle has a certain magic about it. It’s the perfect place to hold a film festival like this.” Gillen hopes for the future reopening of the Phoenix Cinema, which will enhance the festival experience.

The festival’s potential as a film location was highlighted by Winston and Joe Azzopardi of Latina Pictures, who shared insights from their production experiences. They noted that Ireland offers a diverse landscape and a strong work ethic among cast and crew, making it an appealing destination for filmmakers.

The Irish language played a central role at the festival, with films and bilingual workshops highlighting its importance. Director Ruan Magan led a workshop on directing and screenwriting, discussing the exciting future of Irish language productions. “What’s going on now is incredible – the next decade or two is going to be so fascinating,” Magan said.

The full list of award winners includes:

– **Best International Feature Film**: *Christy*, Director: Brendan Canty
– **International Feature Film Special Mention**: *Holy Electricity*, Director: Tato Kotetishvili
– **Best International Documentary Film**: *A New Kind of Wilderness*, Director: Silje Evensmo Jacobsen
– **International Documentary Film Special Mention**: *The Irish Question*, Director: Alan Gilsenan
– **Best International Short**: *Naked Lights*, Director: Jeda de Brí
– **Short Film Special Mention**: *I Died in Irpin*, Director: Anastasiia Falileieva

The festival’s success not only celebrates the achievements of filmmakers but also signifies the growing importance of film culture in Ireland, especially in the picturesque setting of Dingle.