July 2008 Hat Trick for Huston Film School at Film Fleadh

Graduates of the MA in Screenwriting at NUI Galway have now scooped three Pitching Awards at the Galway Film Fleadh, since the award's inception in 2004. The most recent winner is Barbara Deignan (MA Screenwriting 06), from Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim. The competition takes the format of a ten minute movie idea pitch to a public audience and experienced judging panel, followed by questions from both. This year the panel included: US actor Bill Pullman; founder of Magma Films, Ralph Christians; former President of United Artists, Bingham Ray: and acclaimed film maker, broadcaster and teacher, Lelia Doolan. Will Collins (MA Screenwriting 06) won the award last year and has expanded his pitch into a completed script which has attracted much interest from film producers and financiers. The 2005 winner, Keith Bogue (MA Screenwriting 05), subsequently secured development funding from the Irish Film Board. According to Rod Stoneman, Director of the Huston School of Film & Digital Media, NUI Galway: "The Galway Film Fleadh continues to support and promote promising talent on the Irish film scene through this popular award. Previous winners Will Collins and Keith Bogue are well on the road to a completed feature film. Huston School congratulates Barbara Deignan on winning this year and we also commend Hugh Travers (MA Screenwriting 06) on his place in the final." The MA in Screenwriting was the inaugural programme of the Huston School of Film & Digital Media at NUI Galway. The one-year, full-time programme offers training in screenplay writing, integrated with courses in film history and analysis, supported by regular film screenings and workshops. For further information on the MA Screenwriting please contact info@filmschool.ie -ends-