Young Wicklow filmmaker scoops ‘Best Cinematography’ at national film awards

Wowing judges, the evocative film follows Charlie, a 16-year-old girl, as she tries to navigate the summer without her best friend Lila while also wondering what has happened to her.

Georgia was one of seventeen award recipients at the 2024 IYFTYs, which were broadcast on RTÉ2 and hosted by Faye Shortt and Gemma Bradley.

Leaving Certificate student Fiachra Cotter O’Culachain from Dublin was crowned Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2024 for his short film IVY, while second place went to Olivia Louise Curto from Leitrim with ‘Freequencies’, and third to Jake Dundon’s (Tipperary) ‘Adaptation of the Only Nightmare I’ve Ever Had’.

The awards, filmed in Omniplex Cinema and Troy Studios in Limerick, are now available on the RTÉ Player. All 42 shortlisted films, made by young people, for young people, can be viewed on the Fresh International Film Festival YouTube Channel, with viewer discretion advised for younger audiences.

“Fresh International Film Festival and the IYFTY’s encourage young people to explore filmmaking as a career, learning the art of visual storytelling, understanding the filmmaking process from first draft to final frame, and the sustainable career opportunities that exist both in front of and behind the camera, inspiring and building Ireland’s future film, television and digital talent-pool,” a Fresh spokesperson said

“The IYFTYs shortlist is a rich collection that showcases the imagination, creativity and skills of the world’s future storytellers, and interest in the festival from 82 countries is a reflection of Ireland’s ascendancy as a global hub for film, television, digital and creative industries.”