Dungloe will turn on the Hollywood style in June

Dungloe will temporarily become Donegal's answer to Hollywood shortly as it will host a film festival like no other.

The 44th Celtic Media Festival (The International Summit of Sound and Screen) will take place in Dungloe from June 6-8 in the Waterfront Hotel.

The festival is a three-day summit that combines a major conference of seminars and masterclasses and includes the presentation of the coveted torc awards for excellence in an international competition across all the main content genres in TV, radio, film and digital media.

It brings together media professionals with an ambition to promote languages, cultures and talent from the Celtic nations and regions, to celebrate the work of artists across all genres and backgrounds.

The festival is also supported by broadcasters, screen agencies, cultural and  economic development organisations from Brittany, Cornwall, Galicia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales.

It is a unique gathering that has grown and flourished, on a scale that attracts the best conference speakers showcasing emerging talent, yet intimate enough for delegates to meet the decision-makers.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Liam Blaney said they are delighted to host the 2023 Celtic Media Festival.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the wealth of culture, language and talent we have across the county. We look forward to welcoming international artists from all regions and encouraging them to enjoy all the experiences the festival and the county have to offer them.”

Rónán Mac Con Iomaire, director for Regional, Community Development and Language Planning with Údarás na Gaeltachta stated they were delighted to be part of the event.

“Is údar ríméid é d'Údarás na Gaeltachta bheith páirteach i Féile na Meáin Cheilteach a thabhairt go dtí an Ghaeltacht, i bhfianaise ról thábhachtach na heagraíochta i bhforbairt na hearnála clos-amharc.

"Tá an earnáil seo ar ceann de na hearnálacha is tábhachtachtaí i dtaobh fostaíochta agus i dtaobh neartú na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, agus is údar bróid don Údarás é go bhfuil an Ghaeltacht ar ceann de na réigiúin tuaithe is láidre san Eoraip i dtaobh an chlos-amharc de.”

This event has introduced its International Pitching Forum, an initiative aimed at promoting co-productions and international commissions affording independent production companies from every region the opportunity to pitch their creative ideas to International Broadcasters in one space. 

This has led to many commissions and co-commissions across the regions. The focus for this year's Forum is on Factual Programming. So who knows, maybe some enterprising Donegal film crew might land an exciting project!

See the full list of talented nominees for this year’s festival at: https://www.celticmediafestival.co.uk/nominees