Press

7 TG4 productions shortlisted for 2018 Celtic Media Festival

07.03.18

The Celtic Media Festival (CMF) is one of the most prestigious and long-established in these islands and is held each year, rotating between venues in the various Celtic nations and regions. It combines a three-day media conference that attracts broadcasters, producers, media and students with a competition across the full range of Film, TV, Radio and new media content genres. CMF awards are highly-coveted. Entries go through a national pre-selection phase with the shortlist from each country announced in February before advancing to the international Festival. This year’s Festival will take place in Llanelli in Wales from the 2nd to 4th of May 2018 (www.celticmediafestival.co.uk)

Among TG4 nominations are An Klondike 2, Rocky Ros Muc, Murdair Mhám Trasna, Éire Fhiáin, Port, Song of Granite and An Béal Bocht.

• An Klondike 2 – (Drama Series). A sequel for the acclaimed drama series set in the harsh world of the gold mines of Alaska a century ago. An Klondike 2 continues the turbulent lives of three Irish-born brothers as they purse their quest for fame, fortune (or contentment) in the great Yukon gold rush in Alaska in 1895 at Dominion Creek. After the events that unfolded in series 1, the Connolly’s are now united, have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, but against a backdrop of growing lawlessness in Dominion Creek, they must face down a challenge that threatens to take from them all they hold dear.. Starring Owen McDonnell, Dara Devaney (IFTA 2016- Best Actor in a Leading Role), Seán T. Ó Meallaigh; Ned Denehey, Timothy Murphy, Chloe Ewart, Siobhan O Kelly, Bríd Ní Neachtain and Robert O’Mahoney. Produced by Abú Media.
• Rocky Ros Muc–(Sports Documentary) This award-winning feature-length documentary film tells the story of Connemara-born boxer, Seán Mannion, whose life and boxing career also serve as a window on the Irish emigrant experience in Boston in the grim 1980s. From the quiet Gaeltacht village of Ros Muc in County Galway, to the mean streets of Boston, this gritty yet heart-warming film examines the man’s spirit inside the ring and his troubles outside. His rise up the professional ranks wasn’t straightforward. Neither was his descent. This is a story of survival, of determination, honour & strength, a story about identity & community. Produced by Below the Radar Productions.
• Murdair Mhám Trasna- (History) In this new feature docu-drama recounting of the brutal slaying in 1882 of a family in Mám Trasna and the wrongful hanging and conviction of those accused are portrayed. Based on the critically acclaimed book Éagóir written by Seán Ó Cuirreáin and published by Cois Life, Murdair Mhám Trasna tells the story of barbaric murders committed in the dead of night in the midst of a rural community in Joyce Country, on the border between counties Galway and Mayo in 1882 and the subsequent trial in Dublin (most unusual for the time) which lead to the unjust hanging and life imprisonment of innocent people based on the testimonies of false witnesses, traitors and the dishonesty of the authorities and the gentry. Produced by Rosg.
• Éire Fhiáin-(Factual Series) An award winning two-programme special on Ireland’s most striking wild environment presented by Eoin Warner. Eoin opens the series on the Skellig Islands off the Kerry Coast, surrounded by thousands of comical puffins and secretive shearwaters who travel to Skellig from sub-Antarctic waters every year to find the same nest to breed. Heading north from here he encounters leaping Humpback Whales off the Blasket Islands, a family of barn owls who have taken up residence in the ruins of an ancient castle and Ireland’s limestone desert – the Burren, home to the island’s only reptile, the common lizard. Produced by Crossing the Line Productions.
• Port- (Factual Entertainment) Musical documentary presented by Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh. They visit Orkney to discover more about traditional music in the islands. Port reveals their shared musical heritage and we hear from their musical friends who have roots in Orkney. Accompanying Julie and Muireann are renowned Irish musician Liam Ó Maonlaí and, from the U.S., Liz Carroll. Amongst the musicians playing with them will be Kris Drever, the Wrigley Sisters, The Unthanks and Lynched. Produced by Bees Nees Media Ltd.
• Song of Granite – (Arts) Impressions of the life and times of legendary Connemara-born traditional Irish singer, Joe Heaney. The beautiful yet harsh landscape combined with the myths, fables and songs of his Carna childhood helped shape this complex and gifted character. Enigmatic and fascinating, Heaney’s devotion to his art came at a huge personal cost to him and those closest to him. Most of his adult life was spent in the USA where his brilliance was recognised as a key influence in the folk-revival and his concerts and recordings drew widespread acclaim and recognition. Cast includes Macdara Ó Fatharta, Micheál Ó Confhaola, Jaren Cerf, Pól Ó Ceannabháin and Colm Seoighe. Directed by Pat Collins, the project received support from Section 481 and from a number of film agencies and funds in North America. Produced by Roads Entertainment.
• An Béal Bocht – (Animation) An award winning animated adaptation of Flann O’Brien’s acclaimed 1941 novel in Irish. It is a biting satire on the highly popular Gaeltacht autobiographies of the time. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest Irish-language novels of the 20th century. It is the life story of a young Gael held in Sligo Jail as he reflects on the dire poverty of his childhood and recalls the glamour of the city-dwellers who came to learn Irish and lecture the natives about how lucky they were. It stars the voices of Seán Misteál, Donncha Crowley, Tommy Tiernan and Bob Quinn. This animated adaptation is the first time that the book has been brought to screen and is also the animated debut for critically acclaimed feature film director, Tom Collins.

TG4 Ardstiúrthóir Alan Esslemont is delighted with the TG4 content going forward to this year’s Celtic Media Festival. “As well as meeting the needs of the domestic TV audience, our content is now reaching people all over the world through our Player and other devices”, he said. “It is gratifying to see our programmes standing up to competition from the best from Scotland, Wales and indeed Ireland and this reaffirms our conviction that quality will always travel well.”