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Local movie maker 'stunned' over award

Thursday, 31 July 2008

A YOUNG Northsider said he was ‘stunned’ after making his first mark in the world of film with a short movie that cost just e7,000 to make.
Castleknock local Sean Branigan scooped this year’s prestigious award for Best Irish Short film at the Galway Film Fleadh.
The fresh-out-of-college graduate wrote, directed and edited ‘Martin’ – a 15-minute film described as a captivating and candid story of a troubled Dubliner whose estranged daughter wants to get to know him for herself.
“Initially, I wanted to enter the film into the First Film category but I wasn’t eligible for that,” Sean told Northside People.
“I thought there was no way I’d have a hope of coming anywhere in the Best Irish Short category so I was absolutely stunned when my name was called out.
“I never thought the film would be considered at such a high level.”
The budding 22-year-old created the film as part of his degree in Film and TV Production in Dun Laoghaire.
“It took about three months and about e7,000 to make, which is a modest amount compared to the budgets the other films were made with,” he explained.
“We had to come up with the money for the films ourselves, so I used the money I made from filming some corporate shows.”
Actor Gary Lydon, who ahas already made his name in The Clinic and Pure Mule, excelled in the lead role as Martin in Sean’s powerful film.
“It was absolutely great to get Gary working on the film, he was really interested in the story line,” Sean said.
“I think his acting and experience brought a whole level of seriousness and professionalism to the film.”
In the film, Martin’s daughter is played by Leanne Kearney who has worked on productions such as ‘Joyriders’, ‘Frankie’ and ‘Teddy Bear’.
A panel of national and international judges chose Sean’s film for the Tiernan McBride award as part of the 20th year of the Galway Film Fleadh.
“The notoriety attached to such an award is worth more than any money,” he said.
“I’ve met with some film producers since the Galway film festival.
“I’ve been asked by some people in the film industry where I want to go from here, but I can’t honestly tell them because I never thought I would be in the position right after I got out of college. It’s unbelievable.”

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