The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick has today [21 Dec 2018] congratulated the winner of the Richard Harris International Film Festival ‘Detainment’ on its shortlisting for an Oscar.
‘Detainment’, which won multiple awards including best overall short film at the sixth annual Richard Harris International Film Festival in Limerick in October, has been short-listed for an Academy Award for Best Live-Action Short.
The 30 minute movie is a film about the chilling story of the murder of three-year-old James Bulger in Merseyside, England 25 years ago this year. It was directed by Irish man Vincent Lambe.
The Richard Harris International Film Festival, which is supported by Limerick City and County Council as part of the Global Irish Festival and has gained an international reputation as a platform for Irish and International film-makers from home and abroad to meet, collaborate and view each other’s work.
‘Detainment’, was chosen by the board of Richard Harris International Film Festival to be shown at the festival and the board’s decision has been validated as it was brilliantly received and won awards including Joint Best Actors in a male role and Best Overall Short.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr James Collins extended his congratulations to the crew and filmmakers. “It’s a wonderful accomplishment for all involved in such an outstanding film. I am delighted you have gone on to achieve one of the highest honours and it clearly shows that the organisers of the Richard Harris International Film Festival have a brilliant eye for talent. We will have our fingers crossed the movie makes it to the next stage.”
Richard Harris International Film Festival Production Director Zeb Moore added: “We were delighted to learn ‘Detainment’ has been short-listed for an Academy Award for best live-action short yesterday. We’re not surprised though, having seen how brilliantly made it is at the festival showing this year.
“As programmers, it is always exhilarating to see Richard Harris International Film Festival alumni get the notice that their talent undoubtedly deserves. In what was a remarkable year for quality submissions to Richard Harris International Film Festival, ‘Detainment’ shines brightly as an example of courageous and challenging film-making.
“Sensitively and brilliantly directed by Richard Harris International Film Festival 18 best director Vincent Lambe and superbly anchored by two of the most talented young actors in Ireland today, Detainment handles the harrowing subject matter exceptionally well and the experience remains with you long after you have left the theatre.”
“It is the absolute pleasure of the Board of the Richard Harris International Film Festival to extend sincere congratulations to our friends and the wonderful cast and crew of Detainment. The very best of luck to you all.”
Director Vincent Lambe thanked the Richard Harris International Film Festival for their support. “We are completely overwhelmed by the support of the Richard Harris International Film Festival. None of us can really believe that we’ve been shortlisted for the Oscars, but Richard Harris International Film Festival believed in the film and in us from the very beginning. It was such an amazing experience to screen ‘Detainment’ at Richard Harris International Film Festival 2018. It’s a wonderful film festival which puts the focus on filmmakers. We can’t thank them enough. “
The film’s producer Darren Mahon also thanked the Richard Harris International Film Festival “I have had the absolute privilege of being part of the Richard Harris Film Festival in 2017 and 2018,” he said. “In my first year qualifying for their festival they gave me such support and encouragement as a new film maker that they helped to instil in me a belief in my abilities as a filmmaker.
“Only to return the following year and win the Richard Harris International Film Festival and then go on to be shortlisted for an Academy Award. Thank you for making it possible.”
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