here before foscadh

Source: Rooks Nest / Magamedia

‘Here Before’, ‘Foscadh’

Stacey Gregg’s psychological thriller Here Before has won best Irish film at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh, which closed its 2021 edition on Sunday, July 25.

Set in Northern Ireland, the feature stars Andrea Riseborough as a bereaved mother whose feelings of grief are compounded when a new family moves next door. Produced by UK companies Rooks Nest and Pia Pressure, it is backed by BBC Film and Northern Ireland Screen.

The feature was among those awarded as Galway wrapped its six-day Fleadh, a hybrid of outdoor, in-cinema and virtual screenings and events.  

Irish-language drama Foscadh, starring Screen UK & Ireland Star of Tomorrow 2020 Dónall Ó Héalai in a late coming-of-age story written and directed by Seán Breathnach, was named best Irish first feature. 

Kim Bartley’s Pure Grit was awarded best Irish documentary. Set in the Native American reservation Wind River, it centres on Sharmaine, a former bareback horse racing champion, as she endeavours to return to the track. 

Galway has three Oscar-qualifying shorts categories which were also announced. 

The New Talent award was presented to producer TJ O’Grady Peyton, while production company Harp Media’s Lakelands was awarded best Marketplace project.

Galway Film Fleadh 2021 winners

Feature Film Awards  

Best Irish Film - Here Before

Best Irish First Feature - Foscadh

Best Irish Documentary - Pure Grit

Young Audience Award - Ride The Wave

Peripheral Visions Award - El Planeta

Individual Artist Awards 

Pitching Award - Giles Brody for Top Marks  

New Talent Award - TJ O Grady Peyton 

Best Marketplace project - Lakelands (Ire) prods. Robert Higgins, Patrick McGivney for Harp Media

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