Donegal Film GALAR Wins Best International Short Film Award

BREAKING: A short film addressing the devastating defective concrete block crisis in Donegal, titled GALAR, has just been awarded Best International Short Film at the Worcester International Film Festival. The accolade was announced over the weekend, marking a significant achievement for Inishowen filmmaker Niall Duffy.

The award comes as GALAR showcases the resilience of families in Donegal grappling with the fallout from defective concrete blocks. The film made its English premiere on Saturday at ODEON Worcester, where Duffy expressed profound gratitude to the festival organizers. “Big thanks to the incredible festival team at ODEON Worcester for putting on such an incredible event,” he stated. “We’re honoured to have premiered the film in England and grateful to everyone who made it possible.”

Local audiences won’t have to wait long to experience this impactful story. The film will screen at the Disappear Here Film Festival in Ballyliffin on October 5, during the ‘Donegal Voices’ event at 5:30 PM at the Ballyliffin Hotel.

GALAR stars notable actors including Mark Loughran, Claire Rafferty, Ashana Cummings, and Nigel O’Neill. The plot centers on Michael Gallagher, a rural homeowner whose life spirals into chaos upon discovering defective building blocks in his house. As he confronts the decay of his home and navigates the complexities of government bureaucracy, Michael faces the additional burden of a personal health crisis.

The film’s powerful narrative is further amplified by the involvement of more than 200 extras in a poignant protest scene filmed in Lifford, many of whom are directly affected by the ongoing DCB crisis.

In an exciting development, a full-length feature version of GALAR is currently in production with the support of Screen Ireland, promising to expand on this crucial story.

With the film now gaining international recognition, the spotlight is on Donegal as it continues to address the urgent issues surrounding defective concrete blocks. This award not only highlights the talent of local filmmakers but also emphasizes the pressing need for solutions to the crisis affecting countless families.

Stay tuned for more updates as the impact of GALAR resonates both locally and internationally.