An Cailín Ciúin took the the top prize at this year’s Celtic Media festival which was held in Dungloe.
At the awards ceremony last night, the film received a standing ovation when it was announced as the winner of the ‘Spirit of the Festival’ award.
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta won the Station of the Year award.
Catriona Logan, Festival Director, said: “What an incredible three days this has been, the Celtic Media Festival is always special but Donegal 2023 has surpassed all of our expectations. From new business deals to incredible productions awarded we can’t wait to do it all again in Cardiff next year.”
An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl), which has strong Donegal connections, has so far grossed more than €1 million at the Ireland and UK Box Office.
It was also chosen by the Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) for the Oscars in the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category.
It is the first feature film from the writer and director Colm Bairéad and Producer Cleona Ní Chrualaoi of Inscéal, and is based on the book ‘Foster’ by Claire Keegan.
The film had its international premiere at the Berlinale International Film Festival in February 2022 and was awarded the Grand Prix Award for Best Film from the Generation Kplus International Jury.
The film opened Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival earlier last year, the first time ever an Irish language film opened the festival and was awarded Best Irish Film and Audience Award at the festival.
It was also awarded a total of eight IFTAs, including ‘Best Film’, ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Actress’.
There are a number of connections between the film and Donegal, as Producer Cleona Ní Chrualaoi’s mother Ellen Crowley is from Gaeltacht Ross Goill, near Downings, and her uncle Michael Doherty and family own and run The Singing Pub (An Síbín Ceoil, on the Atlantic Drive.
Actor Carrie Crowley’s mother Nodhlaig was originally from The Rosses and was also a teacher in Meenbanad.
Carrie, who plays the role of Eibhlín, spent many summers in Donegal and still goes there every year to visit family and friends on Cruit Island and Glencolmcille.
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