Fidil Ghorm, which will be shown as part of Generation Fleadh later this month, won the European Children’s Film Award at the Schlingel International Film Festival in Germany at the weekend.  The judging panel was made up of 60 children from six European countries and the award was presented at the event in Chemnitz, which is the current European Capital of Culture.

The Schlingel festival which has an extensive programme of world films for young people, was celebrating its 30th birthday.

Fidil Ghorm, written by Galway author Patricia Forde and made by local company, Abú Media, centres on an unlikely friendship that develops between a young girl, Molly, and a cranky old man, Malachy, thanks to music.

When Molly’s father falls into a coma, she embarks on a quest to bring him back to her, by following in his musical footsteps. Determined to master the fiddle and win an All-Ireland competition, she meets Malachy and is convinced that he possesses magical musical abilities and can help her.

Played by renowned Beckett actor, Barry McGovern, Malachy softens thanks to Molly’s pleading and a friendship develops between them.

The film premiered at the 2024 Galway Film Fleadh when it won Best First Feature.

Director of Fidil Ghorm/Blue Fiddle, Galway-based Anne McCabe, was delighted with the award, saying the film was continuing to work its magic.

‘To think that children from all different cultures found it spoke to them means it has a special quality,” Anne said, as she thanked all involved in the production, especially Patricia Forde, who has written many books for children and is the current Laureate na nÓg.

The jury members who were aged between 10 and 12, praised the film’s beautiful music and landscape, saying that while the story was sad in parts, they found it uplifting and hopeful.

“It gave them an insight into a different culture and they particularly commended the lead actress, Edith Lawlor, who was 12 at the time of shooting,” says Anne.

Edith, an All-Ireland U12 fiddle champion, played Molly in Fidil Ghorm, her first film role.

The film was shot in Rathmullan, County Donegal, with Ronan Fox as director of photography.

Odhrán Ó Casaide composed the original music while his daughter, Sibéal, sang the theme song.

Fidil Ghorm was produced by Bríd Seoighe and Pierce Boyce of Abú Media, which is based in Indreabhán.

The film will work its magic in Australia in the coming weeks, when it will be screened in five cities there.

Pictured: Director Anne McCabe pictured with members of the children’s jury after receiving the award.