The Banshees of Inisherin may have failed to pick up an Oscar last year, but Inis Mór, which provided part of the movie’s stunning backdrop, has now won an international film industry award.
The largest of Galway Bay’s Aran Islands won the prestigious EUFCN (European Film Commissions Network ) Location Award this week.
This is just the latest example of the Aran Islands’ allure to filmmakers, dating as far back as Robert Flaherty’s seminal Man of Aran, which won best foreign film at the 2nd Venice International Film Festival in 1934.
Galway city, as a UNESCO Ceantar Scannán/ City of Film, also recently attracted Hollywood’s attention as a location, with M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense ) recently in town for The Watchers, the directorial debut of his daughter Ishana Shyamalan, which stars Dakota Fanning (Man on Fire ) and is based on Galway writer A.M. Shine’s novel.
Earlier this month, the FÍS TV Summit showcased Galway and its screen talent to the global television sector. The event was headlined by Hollywood Showrunner Kerry Ehrin (The Morning Show, Bates Motel ), who was in conversation with Bad Sisters director Dearbhla Walsh. Showcasing diverse talent and expertise, FÍS highlighted Galway's pivotal role as a hub for television production and innovation, supported by organisations like Screen Ireland and TG4.
Ceantar Scannán/ Galway City of Film is a UNESCO designation held by Galway City and County Council since 2014 and managed on their behalf by Ardán.