The students of the Higher Diploma in Television and Digital Media Production based in Nemeton TV in Gaeltacht na nDéise held their annual showcase in Dungarvan’s SGC Cinema on the 18th of May. This year the original work of ten students was celebrated amongst friends, family and those who star in the films.
“It was a wonderful showcasing of the creativity and imaginations of the next generation of television producers, directors and editors” said Course Director Moira Sweeney. Nemeton TV CEO Irial Mac Mhurchú praised the consistent high quality of the films in his opening speech: “Each year we are delighted to see the graduates of the course find work with us in Nemeton TV and in production companies and television stations all over the country”. Eibhlín de Paor of Údáras na Gaeltachta who back the course, spoke of the “vital role the course filled in preparing students with the skills needed to enter a competitive industry”.
This year’s films offer a fascinating and wide range of stories. An Lá a Thit an Condor, directed by Nial Kenny and co-edited with Allister Higgens, is an evocative blend of reconstruction and archive, with the filmmaker’s grandfather recalling the day eight German pilots landed in Nenagh during WW2. Turas an Dreóilín is a warm observational documentary in which the filmmaker Donie Nolan captures the unique tradition of the Carrigkerry Wren Boys in his native West Limerick over Christmas 2016. In Is Cuimhin Liom, filmmaker Sarah McCoy gives us an intimate and surprisingly humorous portrait of Gerald Linehan as he and his family come to terms with his Alzheimers.
In B’Fhearr Liom na Sléibhte, the filmmaker and musician Nuala Daltan explores the hidden musical tradition and history of her native South Carlow and Blackstairs Mountain Range. Seachtain i Saol Beirt Pholatóir is a quirky observational documentary in which filmmakers Neil Hallahan and Cóilín Duffy contrast the busy lives of a Senator and a T.D. from Cork over the course of a week. In Ó Lads go Fir, filmmaker and hurler Cian O Halloran traces the lead up to the Waterford Under 21 Hurling team’s 2016 All Ireland win, which ended 24 years of heartache. And finally, in An tAthair Ó Fiannachta, director Fiona Griffin and editor Ryan O’Dwyer give us a touching portrait of the much loved Irish language scholar Padraig Ó Fiannachta of Dingle who died in 2016. The film features friends such as Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh.
