Laura O’Shea reflects on her Discovery Award win at Dublin International Film Festival

Laura O’Shea Discovery Award win at Dublin International Film Festival has been “massively encouraging” for the Limerick director

Laura O’Shea’s Discovery Award win at Dublin International Film Festival has been ‘massively encouraging’, the Limerick Director reflects on the win

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Cian Reinhardt

Limerick director Laura O Shea has won the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) Discovery Award, adding to the list of honours the Limerick talent has previously received.

Reflecting on the win, O’Shea says being named as the Discovery Award winner has been a “massively encouraging” feat:

“Winning the Discovery Award at DIFF is massively encouraging. I’ve seen so many people that I admire hugely receive the honour over the years and I feel so lucky to be added to that roster of creatives. It’s an honour I really don’t take lightly and will make every effort to enjoy the madness of it all. I feel incredibly lucky.”

Taking place in February each year, DIFF is Ireland’s premier film festival event and curates and presents the best in emerging international and Irish film, giving opportunities to filmmakers in showcasing their works.

Can’t believe it. I’ve just won the Discovery Award at @DublinFilmFest. A huge heartfelt thank you to Grainne, the jury and the programmers. Just to be in the mix with that group was an honour in itself. This is just so encouraging and really means the world. 🎬✨❤️ pic.twitter.com/HQ3hJ3lmV4— Laura O' Shea (@LauraOShea91) February 26, 2023

“Festivals like DIFF are a really great place for filmmakers to have their work seen by a large audience in a very supportive and warm environment,” Laura told I Love Limerick, adding, “The team that runs the festival are such a wonderful bunch, who are keen to champion filmmakers. It’s so refreshing to see.”

For emerging filmmakers, having their films showcased in front of a festival audience is tremendously beneficial, Laura said, “For young filmmakers, getting your film out in front of a festival audience is hugely helpful, as you get to see how people react to the material in real-time. It’s also a perfect way to network and meet like-minded people.”

Although winning an individual award was an incredible achievement for the Limerick Director, the short film, Wednesday’s Child, which she worked on was shown at the festival.

“The script for Wednesday’s Child, written by Caroline Harvey, was based on a book of the same name by Shane Dunphy. Caroline and Shane had been talking for a long time about adapting one particular story from the book for screen, and I was then approached to be the one to direct it,” said Laura.

Laura noted Wednesday’s Child has been on the festival circuit since July 2022 “so it’s nearing the end of its run now” but the short film will make an appearance Limerick’s Catalyst International Film Festival this year.

“We have a Limerick screening coming up in April at the Catalyst International Film Festival, which I’m really looking forward to. Then after that, we will be heading to the IFTAs in May as we have been nominated in the ‘Best Live-Action Short’ category this year. Here’s hoping,” she exclaimed.

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Find out more about Laura O’Shea here.