Foyle Film Festival’s Light in Motion Competition Award winners announced

The winners of Best International Short, Best Animated Short and Best Irish Short were announced at the closing night gala of the 35th annual Foyle Film Festival at Brunswick Moviebowl on Sunday, 27 November 2022.

The winners of the prestigious Light in Motion Competition Awards were announced to a sold-out screening of the Northern Ireland Premiere of Empire of Light by Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes at Brunswick Moviebowl.

In attendance was Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Angela Dobbins, Michael Bond from City of Derry Crystal, Hugh Odling-Smee from Film Hub NI, many filmmakers from competition entrants and the general public. 

The winners are as follows:

Best Animation Short

Special recognition in Irish animation went to Regular Rabbit, directed by Eoin Duffy.

First Runner Up in the animation category went to Luce and the Rock directed by Britt Raes.

The award for Best Animated Short Film went to Pachyderme directed by Stephanié Clement.

The jury praised Pachyderme as “a beautiful and disturbing animation. Visually stunning with a beautiful painterly style — executed perfectly, with minimal but effective animation and excellent direction. A powerful story told in a subtle and cinematic way”.

Best International Short 

Special Mention in International Short film went to Separation directed by Aurélian Achache.

First Runner Up in the International Short Film category was awarded to Sorry No Vacancy directed by Lars Alexander Wicki.

Winner of the Best International Short is Mitote directed by Érika Gagné.

The winning film was commended by the jury for being a hilarious and authentic coming of age story. Terrifically acted and spiritedly directed. 

Best Irish Short

Special mention in this category went to Sucking Diesel directed by Sam McGrath.

First Runner up in the Irish Short Film category went to Forever Hold Your Peace directed by Jason Brannigan.

Bean Fasa directed by Donegal based filmmaker Daniel Butler won the award for Best Irish short film.

The winning film was commended by the jury as “mesmerising and frightening work of ambiguity with a pitch perfect tone of superstition meeting reality”. 

From left: Sam McGrath, Director of Sucking Diesel, Eavan King, Film Education Programme & Competitions Manager, Nerve Centre, Michael Bond, City of Derry Crystal, and Deputy Mayor, Angela Dobbins. Photos: Lorcan Doherty

The Light in Motion Competition endeavours to deliver a programme of short films and animations from all over the world and the festival has been privileged to show an impressive and diverse selection of work throughout its 10 day run.

Recipients of the Light in Motion Award for International and Irish short film and short animation qualify for consideration in the Annual Academy Awards without the standard theatrical run.

Foyle Film Festival is also a BAFTA recognised festival. Consequently UK short films and animations screening as part of the Light in Motion Awards at Foyle Film Festival can be submitted for consideration to the BAFTA Film Awards.

The awards, sponsored by City of Derry Crystal, were presented at the closing night screening of the Northern Ireland Premiere of Empire of Light by Academy Award winning director Sam Mendes.