Fidil Ghorm Wins Audience Award at Newport Beach International Film Festival in California

TG4’s Fidil Ghorm, a heartwarming Irish-language drama, has won the prestigious Audience Award for Best Irish Feature at the Newport International Film Festival in California. This moving story, part of the Cine4 initiative, captured hearts with its tale of young resilience, musical magic, and the bonds that bridge generations.

Directed by Anne McCabe, written by Patricia Forde, and produced by Bríd Seoighe and Pierce Boyce of Abú Media, Fidil Ghorm follows 10-year-old Molly, who believes that learning to play the fiddle like her comatose father might awaken him. Her journey leads her to an unlikely mentor – a grumpy but talented fiddler in a rehab center – and together, they embark on a hopeful journey of healing and transformation.

“Molly’s journey in Fidil Ghorm resonates deeply, capturing the magic and resilience of the human spirit through the lens of Irish language and culture,” said Máire Ní Chonláin, Commissioning Editor at TG4. “We’re honored by the audience's recognition at Newport Beach and proud to bring this unique story to screens as part of the Cine4 initiative, which continues to champion powerful Irish-language storytelling. Congratulations to Abú Media and all the Fidil Ghorm crew on their big win at Newport Beach Film Festival.”

Bríd Seoighe, Producer says; ‘It was such a fulfilling and valuable cultural experience for us as producers to present our film for the first time outside of Ireland in Newport Beach and to answer questions in California that the audience asked about our story, our Irish Language, our musical heritage and a real delight to see that they picked up on all its nuances.’

Launched in July 2024 at the Galway Film Fleadh with the support of TG4, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, and Coimisiún na Meán, Fidil Ghorm is one of the standout productions of the groundbreaking Cine4 initiative, now celebrating five years of promoting compelling Irish-language cinema.

The film stars a remarkable cast, including Ruadhán Ó Flatharta, Marcus Lamb, Sarah Jane Scott, Siobhán O’Kelly, Barry McGovern, and Edith Lawlor, whose performances breathe life into this poignant story.

All photos courtesy of TG4