Stranorlar man Denis Grindel has won a prestigious award for his starring role in a haunting but powerful LGBTQ+ short film – Fairview Park.
Denis won the Iris Prize for Best British Performance in a Male Role for his portrayal of Declan Flynn in the film based on a horrific true story of homophobia in Dublin.
Declan Flynn was 31 years old when he was murdered in 1982 by a gang of five self-described “queer-bashing” teenagers that included a 14-year-old boy. Declan’s murder is often regarded as a catalyst for the Irish gay rights movement.
The Iris Prize awards, held on Saturday, is the world’s largest LGBTQ+ short film competition. Following the awards, Channel 4 has picked up all the Iris finalists to stream on the All 4 player for free.
On Grindel’s role, one of the organisers of the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival said: “I am SO excited to watch Dennis’ career. What a performance. You felt his fear, his anxiety and want to be loved and accepted. Stunning.”
The short also stars Oscar-winning Belfast actor James Martin, who was the first person with Down’s Syndrome to win an Academy Award for his role in ‘ An Irish Goodbye’.
Fairview Park is available to watch here: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/fairview-park
