THE 55TH Corona Cork Film Festival closed last night with a gala screening of Sofia Coppola's latest offering Somewhere, and the presentation of awards in the various short film categories.
Brixton-born director Daniel Mulloy won the Best International Short for his film Baby, telling of a woman who is followed home by a young hoodlum who takes an interest in her. The film stars Arta Dobroshi and Daniel Kaluuya.
The award for the Best Irish Short went to Peter MacDonald's Pentecost, a coming-of-age story of a youth who learns how to rebel when called in at the last moment to serve as an altar boy for an important Mass. It stars Don Wycherly and Michael McElhatton.
Sé Merry Doyle's documentary about John Ford's reworking of a Maurice Walsh story Dreaming the Quiet Manproved a popular success.
Ranelagh-born Maureen O’Hara – who played Mary Kate Danaher in the classic Ford film – received a warm welcome as she joined Doyle on stage.
Equally well received was Wexfordman Ian Power's first feature The Runway, shot in Schull.
The story of a young boy befriending a Colombian who lands his aircraft near his home in Dromileen was a success, its charm and humour ensuring it effortlessly won over the Cork audience.
