Mayo film producer’s ‘MACHA’ takes home Best Irish Short Film award
Croía McDermott's short film 'MACHA' has won the Best Irish Short Film award at the Clare Island Film Festival, a win that feels particularly special for the Mayo-based producer.
A short film produced by a Mayo woman has won ‘Best Irish Short Film’ at the Clare Island Film Festival.
‘MACHA’ produced by Murrisk native, Croía McDermott, is an Irish drama-fantasy short film that blends contemporary realism with ancient Irish mythology to explore the realities of living with endometriosis.
‘MACHA’ made its world premiere in July of this year as part of the Irish Fiction Short Film category at the 38th Galway Film Fleadh which was held at the Pálás Cinema in Galway.
Following a successful premiere in Galway, a special awareness screening of ‘MACHA’ took place in Bellinter House in Navan, followed by a panel discussion around endometriosis and the film. Producer Croía McDermott, writer and lead Niamh Mahony, Shane Robinson the film director and Kathleen King from MISE (Menstrual, Information, Specialising in Endometriosis) featured on the discussion panel.
Speaking on winning ‘Best Irish Short Film’ at the Clare Island Film Festival, Croía McDermott told The Mayo News what a lovely a surprise the win was.
“To have my first film as a producer receive its first award in Mayo feels really special. Mayo is where I’ve started building my career in film, so there was definitely a sense of bringing MACHA home this weekend,” she said.
She further expressed her pride at what has been created.
“I’m really proud of what Niamh, Shane and the whole team have created, and so grateful to all the team at Clare Island Film Festival for giving MACHA a platform and for the warmth and support they showed the film throughout the weekend,” she said.
Writer and starring actress Niamh Mahony too expressed her pride at securing a win at the Clare Island Film Festival.
"This film has always been for the endometriosis community. I’m so grateful to Clare Island Film Festival for this award. I know it will mean so much to the community to see their experiences recognised, heard and celebrated in this way in Mayo,” she said.
Director Shane Robinson expressed how hugely grateful he was for the welcome they received at the Clare Island Film Festival.
“We’re hugely grateful to the festival and the Island Community for welcoming the film and giving it such a wonderful home. And to come away with Best Irish Short Film was so incredibly special, something we’ll genuinely treasure,” he said.