NORMAN HOUSTON SHORT FILM AWARD 2025:
TRAVEL SOCKS
Solas Nua's 19th annual Capital Irish Film Festival is proud to announce that the fourth recipient of the Norman Houston Short Film Award is Travel Socks, written and directed by Tess Annan and Joseph Madden. The film is a portrayal of the courage, determination, and resilience of one spirited young woman, Orla (“Socks”), who is dealing with an unplanned pregnancy during the early days of COVID. As the world goes into lockdown, Orla sets out alone on a journey to England to access the healthcare she needs, overcoming numerous obstacles in her path - whilst attempting to stay buoyant and keep the truth from her overbearing yet loving family.
The winning film is the work of Northern Irish writer and director Joseph Madden alongside first-time filmmaker Tess Annan. For the past decade, he has gained experience as both an assistant and an associate producer for some of the most distinguished filmmakers on some of the most high-profile and high-budget productions. As a writer and director, Joe has a slate of award-winning short films (including ‘Sole’ and ‘Boat Boy’), proof of concept ‘The Man Who Finds Things’, commercials and music videos under his production company, Granite Pictures. A passionate teller of Irish stories, Joe currently also has two features in development.
In this debut filmmaking project, Tess drew upon a friend’s experience for inspiration to co-write the story of 'Travel Socks,' and co-directing it with Joe has been a seminal moment for her. Tess, also a small business owner, has directed photo shoots and campaign commercials for her clothing brand Welligogs. A graduate from Drama Centre, you will see her in the role of Dr Becky.
"We feel unbelievably honoured and thankful that 'Travel Socks' has won the incredibly prestigious Norman Houston Short Film Award. Thank you to the jury and everyone at the Solas Nua Capital Irish Film Festival. We made ‘Travel Socks’ to shine a light on the inadequate resources for the women of Northern Ireland during COVID, despite abortion’s decriminalisation in 2019, and for the women across the world currently who have to make the journey far from home to access a safe abortion. Our film is about bravery, resilience, love and family - and we are so grateful it is connecting so strongly with so many people. We want to thank all our incredible cast and crew who made this possible for us. A special mention to our phenomenal producer Charlotte Brownlee - we could not have made this film without her by our side every step of the way. Also to our lead Alice Mann, an incredible emerging talent from Ireland whose vulnerable and hilarious performance brought Orla to life. We hope Orla's story continues to empower, comfort and entertain audiences worldwide."—2025 winners, Tess Annan & Joseph Madden
Capital Irish Film Festival Director Maedhbh Mc Cullagh shared, “We are delighted to announce that this incredibly impressive film (based on true events) was voted the outright winner by a panel of twelve judges. The challenges that women face accessing vital reproductive healthcare is an important story to tell, especially in the moment we are in right now. Joe and Tess have crafted such a compelling and moving drama imbued with great humor, compassion, warmth, and incredible honesty. They have assembled an immensely gifted cast, team and crew that exemplify the skills and talent emanating from Northern Ireland and reflect the thriving screen industry there today. We look forward to welcoming Joe and Tess to D.C. and to screen and share their work with our communities at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center.”
Solas Nua Board Chair and Norman Houston Award judge Kate Meenan-Waugh added: “For the fourth year running, Solas Nua is honored to present this important award in the memory of Norman Houston, former director of the Northern Ireland Bureau. He was such a champion and passionate advocate of the arts from throughout Ireland, and in particular film, in Washington, D.C. and across North America. This award spotlights stories about the North and talented filmmakers from Northern Ireland and we are tremendously excited to debut this film at the festival and introduce the filmmakers to D.C."
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Norman Houston Award honors the life, spirit and legacy of the former long-time director of the Northern Ireland Bureau in the United States, who died in 2021. Presented annually for the best new short film made within the previous two years by a filmmaker from or based in Northern Ireland, it includes a $2,500 prize as well as the opportunity for the winning filmmakers to travel to the US to attend a gala screening of their film, receive their award and attend a reception with audience members, dignitaries, and special guests from the political, social, and cultural world in Washington, D.C . The award is made possible by individual contributions and support from the Northern Ireland Bureau, North America.
Looking back at the previous years’ winners, it is impossible to deny the impact of the award on independent filmmakers who are trying to bring their work beyond the region.
2024 Norman Houston Award winner, Keith O’Grady on winning the award for his film The Silent People: “The Norman Houston Award was a great honour for us for our film 'The Silent People' last year. Being given the award has also directly led me to develop other projects with people I met there. The support from the Capital Irish Film Festival for its artists was simply second to none.”
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Solas Nua’s Capital Irish Film Festival presents one of the largest programs of Irish cinema in North America, showcasing the latest Irish dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films, and animation releases by Irish and Ireland-based filmmakers. The 19th edition of the four-day festival takes place February 27 - March 2, 2025 in partnership with the prestigious American Film Institute's Silver Theatre and Cultural Center (Silver Spring, MD). The four-day festival provides a US platform that amplifies emerging voices on Irish screen, showcases the exceptional talent and skills in Irish filmmaking, and reflects the robust and vibrant screen industry that has grown in Ireland in recent years.
Also confirmed in this year's program are the East Coast premiere of Anne McCabe’s debut feature, the award-winning Irish language film FIDIL GHORM/BLUE FIDDLE (Audience Award for Best Irish Feature at the Newport International Film Festival and Best First Feature Award, Galway Fleadh) and the East Coast premiere of director Ciaran Cassidy’s award-winning hit HOUSEWIFE OF THE YEAR (Best Irish Feature Documentary Award, Galway Fleadh and Best Irish Feature Award, Newport Beach Film Festival).
The Capital Irish Film Festival is supported by the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme, Culture Ireland, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Embassy of Ireland, Northern Ireland Bureau, Northern Ireland Screen, and the Irish Film Institute’s IFI International Programme supported by Culture Ireland. Solas Nua is supported by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities.
Capital Irish Film Festival passes are on sale now with individual tickets on sale January 30 , 2025.