TOP… Brian Falconer pictured with Zoe Ball and his BAFTA
AN ENNISKILLEN producer was the toast of London on Sunday night after scooping the Short Film Award at the BAFTA Awards (British Academy of Film and Television Arts).
At the gala ceremony in London’s Royal Opera House ‘Boogaloo and Graham’, produced by Enniskillen’s Brian Falconer was recognised.
The film, set in Belfast and directed by Michael Lennox and written by Ronan Blaney, tells the story of two young boys in the 1970s, who discover the facts of life aided by the help of their pet chickens.
The short film was nominated for the prestigious award along with four other nominees. It has also been nominated for an Oscar. Speaking to the Herald Brian explained that it still had not sunk in that they had won the award. “It’s hard to take everything in. I think it is really apparent what it means to everyone else and it is only starting to kick in for me. Mum and Dad came up to the airport to surprise me even though I told them 20 times don’t make the trip. There they were though to greet me screaming and shouting.”
The short film which had a budget of just £20,000 was universally acclaimed by critics, with Brian grateful to all those involved in the project and top Northern Ireland actors Martin McCann and Charlene McKenna for taking a chance on the film.
“We’re just so lucky they really liked the script, liked the team and were prepared to do it for a bit less.”
After the awards Brian and his party went to Grosvenor House for dinner and were then invited to a party thrown by legendary film producer and film executive Harvey Weinstein, where he rubbed shoulders with Hollywood elite.
“At the party somebody knocked into me so I turned around, drink in one hand and Bafta in the other and it was Cuba Gooding Junior. I was saying sorry and he said ‘well done’ so I said ‘thank you very much’. When I had that Bafta in my hand that was the ticket for wherever I wanted to go in London that night.”
Brian and the team do not get much time to rest on their laurels and next week they will set off for Hollywood and the Academy Awards on February 22. After their win at the BAFTAs Boogaloo is now considered a favourite to lift the Oscar.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to the Oscars. If we win I don’t know what will happen. I think we have a really good chance.”
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