BAFTA win for Northern Ireland short film An Irish Goodbye
Date Posted: February 20, 2023
Northern Ireland Screen funded short film, An Irish Goodbye, written and directed by Tom Berkeley and Ross White has won the BAFTA for Best British Short Film at tonight’s BAFTA awards ceremony in London.
An Irish Goodbye is also nominated for an Academy Award in the live action short category. The Oscars will be held on Sunday 12th March, at Ovation Hollywood.
This heart-warming short film has been captivating audiences around the world having already screened at over 60 film festivals across 6 continents.
Filmed entirely on location in Northern Ireland and set against the backdrop of a working farm, An Irish Goodbye is a black comedy following the reunion of estranged brothers Turlough and Lorcan following the untimely death of their mother. Under the watchful eye of odd-ball parish priest Father O’Shea, the brothers’ pained reunion is worsened by the fact Turlough must now make new care arrangements for Lorcan, who has Down Syndrome. A robust and dedicated farmer, Lorcan’s dream of continuing to work the land he grew up on is thwarted when Turlough decides he’s sending him to live with their aunt on the other side of Ireland. But when the brothers discover an unfulfilled bucket list belonging to their late mother, Lorcan senses an opportunity: he’ll only agree to leave the farm once he and Turlough have themselves completed every single wish on their mother’s list…all one hundred of them.
The film stars Seamus O’Hara (The Northman, Game of Thrones), James Martin (Marcella, Ups and Downs), Paddy Jenkins (Hunger) and Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones, Fortitude).
Reacting to the BAFTA win, Sir David Sterling, Chairman of Northern Ireland Screen said: “Everyone at Northern Ireland Screen is delighted for the entire team behind An Irish Goodbye. A BAFTA win is a tremendous endorsement for Ross and Tom to receive from industry, especially at this early stage in their careers and is testament to the incredible work both on camera and behind the scenes from local creatives and crew.
“Awards matter not only for individual development but for sectoral development too and this BAFTA win along with the Oscar nomination puts out a strong message that Northern Ireland is bursting with talent. We wish the team the best of luck as they head to LA for the Oscars next month.”
Writers and Directors Tom Berkeley and Ross White commented: “The whole team is absolutely chuffed to bits. To be in the room last night was a massive victory in and of itself, so to actually pick up the award was a complete honour. We are so proud to have represented Northern Ireland at this year’s BAFTAs and are now very much looking forward to the Oscars in March!”
