Galway Film Fleadh now a Qualifying Festival for Oscars
The Galway Film Fleadh has now been accepted as a qualifying festival in the Academy Awards Short Film category which means shorts winners will be eligible for Oscar consideration.
Recipients of the James Horgan Award for best animation and the Tiernan McBride Award for best short drama will qualify for consideration without the standard theatrical run.
Commenting on the announcement, James Hickey Chief Executive of Bord Scannán na hEireann/ the Irish Film Board said: "Seven Irish short films in receipt of IFB funding have been nominated for an Academy Award since 2001, indicating the world class talent of Ireland's up and coming filmmakers. A nomination in this category brings with it international recognition for the entire Irish film industry. Therefore, The Irish Film Board, as the industry partner of the Galway Film Fleadh, is delighted to see the Fleadh win this important accreditation which will increase the opportunity for Irish filmmakers to compete for the highly competitive Academy Awards for live action and animated short films."
Miriam Allen, Managing Director of the Galway Film Fleadh commented "We are very pleased to join the list of qualifying Festivals in the Academy Awards® Short Film category. This is a great opportunity for Irish Filmmakers and has firmly placed the Galway Film Fleadh on the International stage".
Congratulating the organisers of the festival Minister Deenihan said "Galway Film Fleadh is Ireland's leading festival and is pivotal in the national cultural diary. Each year it builds on the success and experiences of the previous year and now in its 24th year and is most deserving of this accolade."
"The Arts Council wishes to congratulate the Galway Film Fleadh on this achievement, which recognises the important role of the Fleadh in platforming the work of Irish film-makers and artists." Fionnuala Sweeney, Head of Film and International Arts
The Galway Film Fleadh is principally funded by the Arts Council. The Galway Film Fleadh is held every July.
Out of 7,000 film festivals worldwide, only 68 have Oscar-qualifying accreditation.