An Irish Goodbye, filmed on location in Derry and written and directed by Tom Berkeley and Ross White, has won the BAFTA for Best British Short Film at tonight’s BAFTA awards ceremony in London.
An Irish Goodbye is also nominated for an Academy Award in the live action short category.
The Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 12, at Ovation Hollywood.
This heart-warming short film has been captivating audiences around the world having already screened at over 60 film festivals across 6 continents.
The film was set against the backdrop of a working farm, An Irish Goodbye is a black comedy following the reunion of estranged brothers Turlough and Lorcan following the untimely death of their mother.
Under the watchful eye of odd-ball parish priest Father O’Shea, the brothers’ pained reunion is worsened by the fact Turlough must now make new care arrangements for Lorcan, who has Down Syndrome.
A robust and dedicated farmer, Lorcan’s dream of continuing to work the land he grew up on is thwarted when Turlough decides he’s sending him to live with their aunt on the other side of Ireland.
But when the brothers discover an unfulfilled bucket list belonging to their late mother, Lorcan senses an opportunity: he’ll only agree to leave the farm once he and Turlough have themselves completed every single wish on their mother’s list…all one hundred of them.
The film stars Seamus O’Hara (The Northman, Game of Thrones), James Martin (Marcella, Ups and Downs), Paddy Jenkins (Hunger) and Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones, Fortitude).
Reacting to the BAFTA win, Sir David Sterling, Chairman of Northern Ireland Screen said: “Everyone at Northern Ireland Screen is delighted for the entire team behind An Irish Goodbye.
Actor James Martin who plays Lorcan in An Irish Goodbye
“Awards matter not only for individual development but for sectoral development too and this BAFTA win along with the Oscar nomination puts out a strong message that Northern Ireland is bursting with talent.
“We wish the team the best of luck as they head to LA for the Oscars next month.”
