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Gaza Tops the Bill at Rights Film Awards

2010 On the day that Israel announced a partial easing of its Gaza land blockade, the plight of the Gaza Strip's inhabitants topped the bill at the ICCL Human Rights Film Awards.

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Kirsten Sheridan gave the rights watchdog's top prize to Gaza: Post Operation Cast Lead, directed by Dearbhla Glynn. This short documentary offers a unique insight into the day-to-day living conditions faced by the Gaza Strip's 1.5 million conflict-stricken inhabitants. Awarding the prize at Dublin's Light House Cinema yesterday evening (17 June 2010), Kirsten Sheridan said:

'Recent events have brought home the abject misery of the 1.5 million Palestinians forced to live behind the Gaza blockade, and shown the importance Irish people attach to bringing them relief. Dearbhla's film is an impassioned snapshot of the daily lives of Gazans, and a powerful reminder of the need to end their ongoing suffering.'

Kirsten was joined by a star-studded Jury, including actress Victoria Smurfit, presidential hopeful Senator David Norris and Oscar-nominated animator Tomm Moore, for this exclusive screening of five outstanding films by the ICCL competition finalists at the Light House Cinema.

Victoria Smurfit awarded third place prize to independent filmmaker Daniel Bevan for Midnight With No Pain, a drama about dignity at the end of life, while Senator David Norris awarded runner-up prize to documentary-maker Cara Holmes for If You Like it Then You Should Be Able to Put a Ring on It, which charts the highs and lows of the campaign for same-sex civil marriage.

Stars Launch Rights Films

A celebrity jury, including actress Victoria Smurfit and acclaimed director Rebecca Miller, today (28 May 2010) announced the top five films in this year's Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) Human Rights Film Awards.

Speaking today (28 May 2010) at the Irish Film Classification Office in Dublin's Smithfield, where she and fellow Jury members convened to judge the shortlist, Rebecca Miller said:

'Good films get to the essence of things faster than almost any other medium. These films focus on human rights issues that really matter and help us to see, hear and feel the lives of others in a very direct and compelling way'.

ICCL Director Mr. Mark Kelly added:

'For the second year running, the ICCL has challenged creative people to apply their talent to raise awareness of human rights through the medium of film. For the second year running, they have risen to the challenge with a shortlist of entertaining and thought provoking films. The ICCL looks forward to showcasing their creativity at the Awards Ceremony at the Light House Cinema in Dublin on 17 June.'

Representing the cream of entries to the ICCL competition, the shortlist features an eclectic mix of genres, styles and human rights issues at home and abroad. The shortlist will be the subject of an exclusive Gala Awards screening at the Light House Cinema on the evening of 17 June 2010, where the Jury will announce the winning film.

Click HERE to view the films.

The shortlist for the the 2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards is now official!

The shortlist for the the 2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards is now official!

To view the the shortlist, an eclectic mix of genres, styles and human rights issues at home and abroad, visit our dedicated Shortlist page HERE.

We are also holding a public vote online. Vote for your favourite HERE.

Applications now closed.

The deadline for applications to the 2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards has now passed.

The shortlist will be announced in the coming weeks.

Thank you to all of you who entered and the very best of luck!

Barry O'Donoghue and ICCL discuss 2010 Awards on Newstalk

On Saturday 13 March 2009 Awards finalist Barry O'Donoghue of Barley Films and Walter Jayawardene of the ICCL joined Dil Wickremasinghe discuss the 2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards on Newstalk's Global Village show.

Listen to the show on Newstalk's player HERE. Walter and Barry's slot appears in part 2 at 35mins.

Update on Competition Jury

The ICCL Human Rights Film Awards is delighted to welcome some new additions to this year’s Awards Jury: Grainne Humphreys, director of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival; Tomm Moore, Oscar-nominated director of The Secret of Kells and John Kelleher, former Director of the Irish Film Classification Office.

John, Grainne and Tomm will bring their invaluable expertise to this year’s ICCL Human Rights Film Awards, and we are honoured to have them on board.

We would also like to wish Tomm Moore (pictured right) the very best of luck this weekend at the Oscars – here’s hoping he will return to Ireland next month with a Best Animated Feature Oscar in tow!

And don’t forget – the deadline for entries is Friday, 16 April 2010.

Visit www.humanrightsfilmawards.org for details about how to enter.

ICCL Deeply Saddened at Death of Michael Dwyer

The ICCL Human Rights Film Awards was deeply saddened to learn of the death on New Year’s Day of its supporter and Jury member Michael Dwyer.

Michael Dwyer was a great champion of film in Ireland, and last year provided invaluable support to our inaugural competition as a member of our Jury. His support and expertise will be sorely missed in the coming year.

Everyone at the ICCL would like to convey their condolences to Michael’s partner and family at this difficult time.

ICCL teams up with Kerry Action for Development Education (KADE) and Kerry Film Festival for Human Rights Day Screening

Kerry Action for Development Education (KADE), together with ICCL Human Rights Film Awards and Kerry Film festival, are delighted to host an evening of short films on International Human Rights Day, Thursday 10 December.

Samhlaiocht will host the screening, commencing at 8 p.m. at The Old Presbytery, Castle St, Tralee.

The screening will consist of some of the shortlisted films from the 2009 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards:

Pirogues, Barry O'Donoghue
Children of Manilla, Genny Carraro
A Life Inside the Frame, Daniel Bevan
My Identity, Vittoria Colonna
8 Things to Remember, Aoibheann O'Sullivan

Admission to the Film Festival is €5 and will support KADE's work - www.kade.ie.

Come along, support the work of KADE, and be inspired to enter the 2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards!

The 2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards Launches at the Cork Film Festival

The 2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards launched on Saturday 7 November at the Cork Film Festival.

The launch was marked with a screening of the 2009 competition shortlist at Cork's Gate Multiplex, followed by a reception for filmmakers, festival delegates and friends of the ICCL at the Bodega.

Speaking at the reception, 2009 competition runners up Barry O' Donoghue and Aoibheann O'Sullivan praised the ICCL for the unique opportunity the Human Rights Film Awards provides filmmakers in Ireland, and encouraged filmmakers to submit their work to the 2010 competition.

Applications are now open for the submission of original short films on human rights themes. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2010.

An application pack and full details can be downloaded HERE.

Kirsten Sheridan calls on New Film Talent to Tackle Irish Human Rights Issues

Acclaimed director Kirsten Sheridan has today called on Irish film talent to tackle the pressing human rights issues facing Ireland today.

Speaking in advance of tomorrow's launch of the 2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards in Cork, the Awards Jury Member said:

'Following the great success of the inaugural 2009 competition, I am delighted that the Irish Council for Civil Liberties is to launch the 2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards during the 54th Cork Film Festival, Ireland's oldest film event'.

'Film is a powerful tool for raising public awareness of pressing human rights issues, and the 2009 shortlist being screened on Saturday is testament to this power' she added.

'I am proud to once again serve as Jury Member for the 2010 Awards, which I am confident will boast a similar number of high-quality entries. I would encourage all those with a passion for human rights and film to enter, and I wish you all the very best of luck', she concluded.

The 2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards will kick off with a screening of the six outstanding finalist short films from 2009's successful inaugural competition.

The screening will take place at the Gate Multiplex, North Main Street, Cork, on Saturday 7 November at 1pm. The screening will be followed by a reception in the Bodega, St Peter's Market, Cornmarket St, Cork for delegates, Jury Members and friends of the ICCL.

Press, photographers and broadcast media are invited to attend the launch screening, where shortlisted filmmakers from the 2009 competition and ICCL representatives will be available for interview.

ICCL to Put Human Rights in Focus at Cork Film Festival

Human rights will be the focus this weekend as the 54th Corona Cork Film Festival hosts the launch of the second annual Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) Human Rights Film Awards.

The 2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards will kick off with a screening of the six finalist short films from 2009’s hugely successful inaugural competition, including the winning film My Identity, directed by promising Irish filmmaker Vittoria Colonna.

The screening will take place at the Gate Multiplex, North Main Street, Cork, on Saturday 7 November at 1pm. The screening will be followed by a reception in the Bodega, St Peter’s Market, Cornmarket St, Cork for delegates, Jury members and friends of the ICCL. Jury members for the 2010 Awards will include acclaimed filmmakers Kirsten Sheridan and Rebecca Miller.

Speaking today about the 2010 competition launch, ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly said:

“The ICCL is delighted to be on the programme of the 54th Cork Film Festival to launch our 2010 Human Rights Film Awards.”

“Our inaugural competition, which ended earlier this year, showed the great filmmaking talent that exists in Ireland, and the powerful force film can be in raising awareness of human rights issues”, he added.

“We hope that this launch screening will provide inspiration to prospective entrants to the 2010 awards and look forward to promoting the competition nationwide over the coming months”, he concluded.

Press and broadcast media are invited to attend the launch screening, where shortlisted filmmakers from the 2009 competition and ICCL representatives will be available for interview.

For further details please contact:

Walter Jayawardene
Campaigns & Communications Officer
Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL)
9-13 Blackhall Place
Dublin 7
Ireland

Tel. + 353 1 799 4503
Mob: +353 87 9981574   
Fax. + 353 1 799 4512
 
E-mail  walter.jayawardene@iccl.ie
Web     www.iccl.ie

2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards Launching at Cork Film Festival

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) is happy to announce the launch of the 2010 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards at the Corona Cork Film Festival on 7 November 2009.

To mark the launch, the ICCL will hold a screening of the six finalist short films from this year's inaugural competition, which will take place at:

The Gate Multiplex, North Main Street, Cork on Saturday 7th November 2009 at 1pm

The screening will be followed by a reception for delegates, entrants and friends of the ICCL. Members of the Jury for the 2009 Awards will also be in attendance. The 2009 Jury consisted of: Sinead Cusack, Michael Dwyer, Jeremy Irons, Rebecca Miller, James Morris, David Norris, Bill Schabas, Kirsten Sheridan and Jim Sheridan.

We look forward to seeing you there. Please RSVP to Joanne Garvey, ICCL Administrator at: E: info@iccl.ie T: 01 7994504 by 30 October 2009 at the latest.

The ICCL Human Rights Film Awards 2010 Entries Applications will open for the submission of original short films focusing on human rights issues of relevance to Ireland as of 8 November 2009. The deadline for receipt of entries will be Wednesday 31 March 2010.

Full application details will be made available on this website shortly.

Rebecca Miller Opens Human Rights Film Gala

Rebecca Miller was in Dublin this evening (Thursday, 11 June 2009), to open the inaugural Irish Council for Civil Liberties' (ICCL) Human Rights Film Gala.

The Connecticut-born actress, writer and director joined filmmakers Jim and Kirsten Sheridan and other stars of the arts, media and human rights worlds at the Light House Cinema in Dublin's Smithfield. Playing to a full house, the six shortlisted films covered a range of topics and genres, demonstrating the power of film in casting a spotlight on pressing human rights issues at home and abroad. Following the screening, Jury member Kirsten Sheridan announced the winning film, My Identity, directed by Vittoria Colonna.

My Identity documents the life of Lee, a transgender Irish person, and his daughter Siobhan. Lee's story is a tribute to the ongoing battle facing transgender people and their families for recognition of their basic human rights. Lee and Siobhan's story is a poignant portrait of a loving family, and an insight into the discrimination experienced by transgendered persons and their loved ones.

Kirsten Sheridan said: 'I challenge anyone to watch the winning film and retain a shred of prejudice against transgendered people. Vittoria Colonna's moving film amply demonstrates the value of the medium in conveying human rights messages in a direct and compelling way'.

ICCL Rolls Out Red Carpet at Gala Film Awards

Top names in the film industry, young filmmakers and leading human rights figures will be out in force today, Thursday 11 June 2009, for the Gala Awards Screening of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) Human Rights Film Competition at the Light House Cinema, Dublin.

The ICCL will roll out the red carpet for this exclusive Gala Screening tomorrow, Thursday 11 June, from 7pm at the Light House Cinema, Smithfield Plaza, Dublin 7. The Gala will be attended by Jury members, including filmmakers Rebecca Miller, Jim Sheridan and Kirsten Sheridan, along with assorted guests from the arts, media and human rights world.

The shortlist of six short films that made it to the final of the competition will be screened, following which a winning filmmaker will be announced by the competition Jury. Covering a range of topics and genres, the shortlist represents the cream of entries to this inaugural ICCL competition, demonstrating the power of film in casting the spotlight on pressing human rights issues.

Speaking today, ICCL Director Mark Kelly said:

'This inaugural Human Rights Film Competition has given us at the ICCL an opportunity to engage in a very exciting way with filmmakers and other creative people in order to bring human rights to a wider audience .'

'It is a great privilege for the ICCL to offer such talented filmmakers the creative space to address a range of human rights issues in such an imaginative way. It is equally a privilege to have the support and dedication of directors of the calibre of Rebecca Miller, Jim Sheridan and Kirsten Sheridan in making the competition possible' he added.

'We look forward to showcasing the films at the Gala Awards Screening at the Light House and to announcing the winning filmmaker' he concluded.

To arrange interviews with the Jury and filmmakers and for press attendance at the awards screening in the Light House on 11 June, please contact:

Walter Jayawardene Campaigns & Communications Officer
Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL)
Tel. + 353 1 799 4503
Mob: +353 87 9981574
E-mail walter.jayawardene@iccl.ie
Or Glenn Hogarty Limelight Communications (01) 668 0600 / 0877909670

Lights, Camera, Action: Top Film Figures Pick Winning Rights Film

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) today (Friday 29 May 2009) announced its Human Rights Film School Competition Shortlist.

Jury members filmmakers Jim and Kirsten Sheridan and Irish Film Board Chair James Morris announced the shortlist of six films at a photocall at the ICCL's Smithfield headquarters today. The films represent the cream of entries to the inaugural ICCL competition.

Speaking today at the ICCL's headquarters, filmmaker Kirsten Sheridan said: 'Film is a very powerful tool for making human rights issues visible, engaging and widely heard. This shortlist, which covers a range of topics and genres demonstrates this in an outstanding way.'

'I and my fellow jury members look forward to deliberating on this excellent shortlist and to announcing the winning film at the Light House Cinema in Dublin on 11 June. Each film, however, is already a winner for having made it this far in a very tough competition'.

ICCL Director Mr. Mark Kelly added:

'Human rights are universal and indivisible, but all too often remain invisible. Filmmakers are particularly well-placed to effectively cast a spotlight on human rights issues, rendering them visible and meaningful to a wider audience.'

'The ICCL is delighted to offer this creative space for filmmakers to apply their talents to raising awareness of the failure to respect the rights of vulnerable and disadvantaged people. We look forward to showcasing the shortlist at the Light House Cinema in Dublin on 11 June.'

Work to Begin on Shortlisting

The ICCL Human Rights Film School Competition deadline has passed. It is now over to the Competition Panel to convene and whittle the entries down to a shortlist of five outstanding films for consideration by the Jury and present the awards at the screening and ceremony this June (Venue & Date TBA).

Our well-respected Competition Panel consists of: John Kelleher, IFCO Director of Film Classification;  Alan Fitzpatrick, Managing Director of Filmbase; John Maguire, Film Critic; Alicia McGivern, Head of Education at the IFI; Conor Power and Natalie McDonnell, Barristers and ICCL Board members and Neil Connolly, Co-founder of the Light House Cinema.

The Jury comprises acclaimed filmmakers Kirsten Sheridan, Jim Sheridan and Rebecca Miller; renowned actors Jeremy Irons and Sinead Cusack; Professor Bill Schabas, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUIG; Irish Times film Critic Michael Dwyer; Senator David Norris and James Morris, Chairman of the Irish Film Board.

Watch this space for news of the Shortlist, and of the awards screening in June. And thank you to all who have submitted a film - best of luck!

The ICCL Human Rights Film School Team

Competition Now Closed

Thank you to all who have submitted a film for the Human Rights Film School. Watch this space for news on shortlisting!

Deadline Approaching

Competition closes Friday, 17 April 2009, so get those entries in.

Michael Dwyer Joins Competition Jury

The ICCL Human Rights Film School is delighted to announce that leading film critic Michael Dwyer has joined the Competition Jury. This brings the competition Jury to six distinguished members:

Prof Bill Schabas, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland, Galway

Jim Sheridan, Director

Kirsten Sheridan, Director

Rebecca Miller, Director

Senator David Norris

Michael Dwyer, Film Critic

Short listing of entries will begin on 17 April 2009, with five shortlisted films presented to the Jury for consideration in early May 2009.

A screening of the five shortlisted films will take place in early summer, at a date and venue to be confirmed, at which the Jury will announce the winner of the ICCL Human Rights Film School Grand Prize.

For further updates on the short-listing and screening, watch this space, or get in touch with the ICCL Human Rights Film School team at info@iccl.ie. And remember, the competition deadline is 17 April 2009, just under two weeks away, so get those entries in!

ICCL to Bring Human Rights to Silver Screen

With the ICCL's inaugural Human Rights Film School Competition fast-reaching its closing date of 17 April 2009, acclaimed director Kirsten Sheridan has highlighted the power of the silver screen in raising human rights awareness.

'Those working in the arts are in a very special position to cast a unique light on the importance of human rights, and to use their talents to make human rights issues visible, engaging and widely heard. The accessibility and popularity of film makes the ICCL's Human Rights Film School Competition an exciting opportunity to do just this' Sheridan said today.

'As well as being an excellent opportunity for entrants to have their films viewed by some leading names in the Irish film industry, entrants also will have the chance to make a real difference' she added.

'With a month to go before the deadline we would encourage those who have not yet entered to get involved' she concluded.

Five shortlisted films will be shown at a Gala Screening early this summer and adjudged by the ICCLs prestigious competition Jury, which includes directors Kirsten Sheridan, Jim Sheridan and Rebecca Miller. The winning filmmaker will be awarded a place in the Summer School on Film and Human Rights, which takes place during the Venice Biennale this summer.

Details of the awards screening in early summer will be announced in due course.

For further enquiries, and to arrange interviews/ feature pieces with ICCL staff or Jury members, please contact:

Walter Jayawardene
Campaigns & Communications Officer
Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL)
9-13 Blackhall Place Dublin 7 Ireland
Tel. + 353 1 799 4503
Mob: +353 87 9981574
Fax. + 353 1 799 4512
E-mail walter.jayawardene@iccl.ie 

'Creative Chaos' email quiz winner

Congratulations to Philippa Connolly, who correctly answered our email quiz question 'Who is the director of Creative Chaos'. (Answer: Hassan Zbib).

Picked randomly from a hat full of correct answers, Philippa wins two tickets to see Creative Chaos on Friday, 13 February at Cineworld, courtesy of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival.

Enjoy the film Philippa!

- The ICCL team

Jim and Kirsten Sheridan Join ICCL for Launch of Human Rights Film School Competition

ICCL Raises Curtain on its Human Rights Film School Competition

Human rights and film will be the focus of an event this evening at the Irish Film Institute as the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) raises the curtain on its Human Rights Film School competition.

Marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Human Rights Film School seeks to address human rights through the filmmaker's lens, demonstrating how the medium of film can raise public awareness about human rights and inspire people to make a difference in the world around them.

Shortlisted film entries will be reviewed in 2009 by a Jury featuring some of Ireland's most celebrated film talent, including Jim Sheridan, Kirsten Sheridan and Rebecca Miller. Further Jury members will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Grand Prize is a place in the prestigious Summer School on Cinema and Human Rights in Venice, where the winner will take part in master classes in human rights and film by experts such as renowned photographer and documentary maker Nick Danziger, while enjoying full access to the Venice Film Festival.

The competition will be officially launched by the acclaimed screenwriter, director and ICCL Competition Jury Member Kirsten Sheridan at 6pm at the Irish Film Institute (IFI) in Dublin on 10 December 2008, where mulled wine and mince pies will be served. The reception will be followed by an IFI screening of the documentary We Are Together, an uplifting film set in South Africa which documents the experiences of a children's school choir.

For more information contact us HERE.

To book tickets to the screening of We Are Together, please visit the IFI box office.