The Kimolos International Film Festival rounded off its fourth edition (13-20 June) with an awards ceremony early this week, which saw another landmark moment for Irish language film with Foscadh picking up the top award of the festival.
The Golden Tree, the main prize of the festival, was awarded to the Irish language drama Foscadh, which is written and directed by first-time Irish filmmaker Seán Breathnach.
The winners were selected by a five-member international jury, led by French-Algerian festival programmer and manager of Cairo Film Connection Lynda Belkhiria, along with António Costa Valente, director of the AVANCA Film Festival in Portugal, Greek film producer Katia Pantazi, actress and director Korina Kontaksaki, and local director of photography Aristotelis Metaxas
Foscadh (Shelter) stars 2020 IFTA nominee Dónall Ó Héalai (Arracht), Fionnuala Flaherty (An Klondike), and Cillian O’Gairbhí (Blood). Produced by Paddy Hayes (Cumar: A Galway Rhapsody) for his production company Magamedia, the film premiered to critical acclaim at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2021 winning Best Irish First Feature at the Festival’s Awards.
The film was also selected by IFTA as Ireland’s entry for the Oscars®’ Best International Feature Film category (formerly Best Foreign Language category) at the 94th annual Academy Awards earlier this year.