Oscar nomination
AN Enniskillen writer and director has been shortlisted for an Oscar.
Stephen Fingleton, 31, is originally from Enniskillen – however spent a lot of time based in London.
He is shortlisted for the short film award along with another film-maker Brian Falconer, also from Enniskillen, who was previously featured in this paper.
Brian produced the film ‘Boogaloo and Graham’. The film is set in 1970s Belfast, and directed by Michael Lennox and Ronan Blaney, and follows ‘two young boys as they discover the facts of life aided by the help of their pet chickens’.
And, Stephen’s film SLR has been shortlisted in the same category, chosen out of 140 and whittled down to 10.
“It’s about a man who has an unhealthy obsession with a website where voyeurs upload photographs of strangers,” Stephen explained, “When he makes a shocking discovery, he finds himself tracking down one of the users of the website.”
Stephen added: “It was funded through the BFI shorts scheme and premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh. It was nominated for an IFTA and won Best Irish short at the Foyle Film Festival, which is how it qualified for consideration by the Academy.”
The writer studied English at University College London and began making short films on his course. He should SLR in 2012, and since then he has been finishing work on his first feature film, shot in Antrim in June and July.
On the shortlisting, Stephen added: “I’m tremendously proud for my cast and crew, and especially delighted it’s one of two films that have made it onto the list from Northern Ireland. I know the other filmmakers and I’m delighted for them.”
The film is available online at www.thefilmSLR.com
The ten shortlisted will be reduced to between three and five in December, before the 87th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15.
The Oscars will be televised on February 22.