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Eleven students from South East Technological University (SETU) and Nemeton TV’s higher diploma course were nominated in three categories for their imaginative and compelling films, going on to win two of the top awards.

Announcing the wins at the awards night, the SMEDIA’s host said, “And yet more great films from WIT (now SETU)”.

Belfast filmmaker Niamh Ní Ruadhagáin has won the TG4 BLOC Award for Best Bilingual Short Film (f)Uaim. The film was Inspired by Niamh’s experience of moving to another country shortly before the pandemic began. “We can virtually all relate to the story about the silence of the world around us and how we dealt with the weight of isolation. But it has a happy ending!” Ní Ruadhagáin told IFTN.

Director Martina Flavin and Editor Ciarán Foley won the Údaras na Gaeltachta Award for Best Irish Language Production for Capaill agus Carráiste. Martina Falvin decided to do the course to refresh her Irish Language skills and fluency. She has a keen interest in radio and is the director and visionary behind the documentary with help from editor Ciarán O’Goibin. The film is about the sport of carriage riding and focuses on a masterful carriage driver Paddy and features some lovely archival material. “The interaction between horse and man is very powerful and I wanted to show this connection in my documentary,” said Martina.

Capaill agus Caráiste is available with other films from the Nemeton TV and SETU course on the TG4 player in the series Céad Seans | First Chance.

Niamh, Martina, and Ciarán made great use of the skills that they acquired on the Nemeton TV and SETU course. There is good news for anyone interested in producing, directing and editing short drama, documentary film or digital marketing content, as the award-winning Higher Diploma in Television and Media Production will commence again this September 2022. With an exciting and innovative brand new blend of practical workshops and online classes, the eight-month course is uniquely tailored to the needs of students and is particularly suited to those who wish to develop their skills while also working.

The industry-focused nature of the postgraduate course attracts participants from all over Ireland who are keen to avail of workshops, which are led by film and television professionals with extensive experience. Masterclasses are also presented by award-winning filmmakers, including producer Paddy Hayes (Rúbai, Eipic) and writer Darach Mac Con Iomaire (Corp + Anam, Red Rock) and director Paula Kehoe (Deargdhúil – Anatomy of Passion, Hiroshima, My Bright Love). Further specialist workshops have been provided by sound designer Keith Alexander (Ireland’s Deep Atlantic, Starboard Home), director of photography Cathal Watters (Peaky Blinders, Finding Joy), and composer and musician Dawn Kenny who has collaborated with U2 and Brian Eno.

The Higher Diploma Course Television and Media Production is run by SETU in association with Nemeton TV, one of Ireland’s leading production companies, and Udarás na Gaeltachta.

The next course commences in September 2022.

Higher Diploma in Arts in TV & Media Production - LÉIRIÚ TEILFÍSE AGUS NA MEÁN