Film looking at male mental health wins festival award

The short film, ‘The Passenger’ picked up the best film award in the best of Boyne Valley category at the Boyne Valley International Film Festival. The film, written and produced by Trim man, Gerry Gormley and directed by his friend John Redmond was released in July 2022 and has been featured at a number of film festivals. The film encapsulates the importance men’s mental health and the stigma that is still attached to men reaching out for help. A stigma they are hoping the film is helping to break.

Now in its second year, this three day event brought together films and filmmakers from around the Boyne Valley region, Ireland and the world, to the Droichead Arts Centre in Drogheda.

Friday night opened with the Made in the Boyne Valley programme, which showcases talent from the area. It did not disappoint, the sold out show screened seven films from the region including 'The Passenger', 'An Irish Goodbye' by Cody Farren and 'Irreverence' by Siun O’Connor. The programme is sponsored by the Clinch Family and was followed by a Boann Distillery drinks reception where filmmakers and audience members stayed to talk film.

Saturday was packed with films, panel discussions, filmmaker Q and As and workshops, including one hosted by Academy Award nominee Naomi Sheridan. The panel 'Dream Vs Reality' spoke with industry professionals on the reality of making films. The producers panel, called 'Making it', featured three production companies, including Copper Alley, whose film 'Lamb', which screened at the festival, has made it to the long-list for the 2024 Oscars.

This is the first year the festival has ventured outside the Droichead Arts Centre, partnering with the Arc Cinema in Drogheda to screen the Animation Programme, which was free for families.

This year the festival also added and extra day and an award ceremony, taking place on Sunday. The day continued with films and filmmaker discussion, but also featured a unique event centred around the Short FIlm Bursary. Firstly there was a live cast reading for last years winner, 'The Parting' by Libby McCormick, and then a pitch competition for a total prize of €3000. The winner of which will be invited back to a live reading at next year’s festival.

Guests of the festival included 'Walking Dead' star Pollyanna McIntosh, 'Moone Boy' star Clare Monnelly and actor Aaron Monaghan, who was last seen in 'The Banshees of Inisherin'. Among the filmmakers were IFTA winning director Frank Berry, BAFTA nominated director Alex Keyode-Kay and actress, Helen Behan from Laytown.