An “amazing night” was held at The Banks Goes to Hollywood, while raising funds for local causes.
Launched by Naomh Muire GAA, the fundraiser saw locals recreate well-known movie scenes at a Hollywood Premiere Night in Dunlewey, which was also livestreamed.
The feature films screened included Derry Girls, CU Burn, Happy Gilmore, The Young Offenders, Fawlty Towers, Jaws and Bridesmaids.
“It was an amazing night, absolutely fantastic,” Breid Gallagher, a member of the organising committee, told Donegal Live. “Everything went well and we are just blown away by the support.
“People really got involved, and the sense of club community is really important. The livestream was important too, as it reached so many more people, including the diaspora.”
Two causes were at the heart of the event: the Dungloe Community Hospital Patient Comfort Fund and a new club training pitch for Naomh Muire. The Banks Goes to Hollywood fundraiser remains open for donations.
The judges were award-winning broadcast journalist Kevin Sharkey from Mullaghduff, TV presenter Seán Ó Baoill from Loch an Lúir, Sally Diver from Gaoth Dobhair, and Arranmore’s Helena Ní Ghallachóir, who is an award-winning documentary filmmaker.
On the night, CU Burn won the Best Movie Award, while the People’s Movie Choice was Derry Girls. The Best Location was selected as The Boat Strand in Carrickfinn, the filming location of Jaws.
The Highest-grossing Movie ended up being Derry Girls and the Highest-grossing actor was John Cannon. The Best Comedy Scene was awarded to Young Offenders.
The Best Male Actor title was awarded to Charles Jimmy John O’Donnell for his appearance in Happy Gilmore, and Jamie Mai Gillespie received Best Female Actor for Derry Girls.
The Best Supporting Male Actor was Gregory Bradley, who starred in Fawlty Towers, while the Best Supporting Female Actor was Roisin Rodgers, in Derry Girls.
The event was an all-out community collaboration, with local people starring and businesses providing sponsorship, in a bid to raise funds.
1. Best Male Actor Charles O'Donnell received his award from Roseanne Gallagher
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2. Pádraig and Niall MacEachmharcaigh from CU Burn at the Banks Goes to Hollywood.
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3. Guests and actors at the Banks Goes to Hollywood
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4. Maria Bonner, Joseph Rodgers, and Marianne Rodgers
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