We are thrilled to announce the inaugural winner of the Norman Houston Short Film Award, a black comedy from Northern Ireland, An Irish Goodbye!
An Irish Goodbye is the second short film from co-writer/director duo Tom Berkeley and Ross White, following their award-winning debut short, Roy, in 2021. Hailing from Belfast and Bristol respectively, the pair, who have worked together since 2017, founded the Northern Ireland-based production company Floodlight Pictures in 2019.
The comedy follows the reunion of estranged brothers Turlough (Seamus O’Hara) and Lorcan (James Martin) following their mother’s untimely death. Turlough must now make new care arrangements for Lorcan, who has Down Syndrome, leading to alienation. Set against the background of rural Northern Ireland, the title derives from a phrase that refers to leaving a party early without saying farewell.
The Norman Houston Short Film Award, named to honor the former director of the Northern Ireland Bureau in the United States, will be presented annually for the best new short film created by a filmmaker based in or from Northern Ireland made within the previous two years. It is made possible with generous support from the Northern Ireland Bureau, the Embassy of Ireland, and individual contributors.
This award, which includes prize money of $2,500, will be presented to Mr. Berkeley and Mr. White at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, MD, on Friday, March 4, at the showing of their film. Mr. Houston’s family will attend the presentation ceremony, joining us to celebrate the award winners and honoring Mr. Houston’s life, career, and distinguished contribution to the arts in Ireland.
The runner up films for the 2022 Norman Houston Award Short Film Award were:
Ruthless - Directed by Matthew McGuigan, written by Kate Perry.
Reavey Brothers - Directed by John Reavey, written by John Reavey and Jordi Estapé.
Solas Nua’s Capital Irish Film Festival has shown Irish films and films by Ireland-based filmmakers annually for 16 years. Purchase your All-Access Passes now for a weekend of incredible films you won’t want to miss!
Looking forward,
Miranda Driscoll
Executive Director
