Corona Cork Film Festival

Best International Short Film
Aglaée | Rudi Rosenberg | France

One of the most important aspects of this film is its progressive depiction of disability in a non-apologetic and integrated manner. Directed by Rudi Rosenberg, the self-assured Aglaée offers a vision of a young woman who is fully capable of making her own choices. We celebrate this film both for its thematic concerns and for its aesthetic qualities.

Special Mentions
Woman Waiting | Antoine Bourges | Canada
Soul Catcher (Sielunsieppaaja) | PV Lehtinen | Finland

This year’s standard of films was exceptionally high and we carefully considered all the entries, but these two films that deserve a special mention for leaving us with a very strong impression. We feel them to be poignant, poetic and daring. They immersed us into their uniquely crafted worlds and narratives.

Cork Short Film Nominee for the European Film Awards
Two Hearts | Darren Thornton | Ireland

It is rare that one comes across a film with as much social agency as dramatic potency and sheer filmmaking craft. This film depicts the fragility of human relationships against a gritty urban social landscape, and bravely whispers silent stories.

International Jury
Andrei Gorzo (Romania), Alexandra Heneka (Germany), Qasim Riza Shaheen (England).

Best Irish Short Film
Even Gods | Phil Harrison
‘Even Gods’ tells a very human story about the power of reconciliation, distinguished by a trio of sublime performances, and showcases Phil Harrison as an exciting new voice in Irish cinema.

Special Mention
Quarantine | Tadhg O’Sullivan and Feargal Ward

The Jury wishes to give an honourable mention to a documentary that manages a seemingly impossible task. It observes a woman in isolation undergoing radiation treatment. A dark time in her life, yet the film itself is not dark. It is rich in its casual humanity. Tadhg O’Sullivan and Feargal Ward impressed us greatly.

Claire Lynch Award for Best First-Time Irish Director of a Short Film
The Art Of Making Friends | Paul McNulty
Exploring the bond between an artist and his creations and told with humour and joy, The Art of Making Friends is the wonderful animated creation of director Paul McNulty.

National Jury
Tom Climent (Ireland), Alexandra Gramatke (Germany), Felim Mac Dermott (Ireland).

‘Made In Cork’ Award for Best Short Film
Rats’ Island | Mike Hannon

Mike Hannon’s short film is a portrait of a man dispossessed from society, who lives in a shack on the edge of a lake by a busy road. It is a beautiful and observational piece of work that is respectful of the man’s situation, his domestic environment and his efforts to maintain a guiding relationship with his son. The film is also respectful to us, the audience, in leaving us to ponder his situation and contemporary living.

Special Mention
Brother (Dearthair) | Joan Mary McCarthy

Brother (Dearthair) is a very personal documentary film dealing with the loss of the filmmaker’s brother in Africa in 1968. Alongside the evocatively narrated story of personal loss, the film also explores issues of emigration and segregation through wonderful letters home to Joan Mary.

‘Made In Cork’ Jury
Dan Boyle, Trish Brennan, Margaret Greene.

Audience Award for Best International Short Film

Silent River (Apele Tac) | Anca Miruna Lazarescu | Romania

Audience Award for Best Irish Short Film
Even Gods | Phil Harrison

‘Award of the Festival’ for Best Short Film
The Wind Is Blowing On My Street (Dar Kouce Baad Miayad) |Saba Riazi | Iran, USA

OutLook Award for Best LGBT Short Film

I Don’t Want To Go Back Alone (Eu Não Quero Voltar Sozinho) | Daniel Ribeiro | Brazil
Ribeiro’s film tells a beautiful and original story about young gay romance.