‘Turtles & Hares: Team Carrie Marathon Runners’, an hour-long documentary produced, directed, shot & edited by DkIT Film & Television Production lecturer Sarah McCann, has been selected for the prestigious Sport Movies & TV 2019 – 37th Milano International FICTS Festival taking place in Milano, Italy from 25th – 30th October.

The event organised by FICTS (Federation Internationale Cinema Television Sportifs) is an overall final of 16 Festivals of the “World FICTS Challenge” World Championships of Television, Cinema, Communication and Sport Culture. With 116 Countries taking part in the festival, it is recognised by the International Olympic Committee for which it promotes the values of sport through film.

The event is a considerable “world showcase” for networks, media, broadcasters, production houses, producers, directors, filmmakers, Olympic Committees, advertising and communication agencies. There are 7 competitive Sections: Olympic Spirit; Documentary; Sport & Disability; Sport & Society; Movies; Movies & Tv Football; Tv and weblog.

The International Jury, compiled with 7 worldwide experts of cinema, television, media, sport and culture, will award for each of the 7 Sections above, the “Guirlande d’Honneur” the “Oscar of Cinema and Sport Television”, the “Mention d’Honneur” as well as the “Special Prize” (among which “Super Award” in money of € 5,000 assigned to “The best production among all the Section” as well as a prize for the Young Section “Opera Prima”).

‘Turtles & Hares: Team Carrie Marathon Runners’ follows a running group based in Dunleer, Co. Louth as they train for the Dublin Marathon. David Carrie, Postman by day and Running Guru by night, is a former Irish international athlete who has turned this small country town in which he lives into the undisputed Marathon Capital of Ireland, with a population of only 1,800 and yet almost 1,000 Dublin Marathon finishers.

However, this one-hour documentary is not just about running or about completing a marathon – it is about a movement of mind, passion, hope and spirit – all captured through the eyes and lives of the leaders & members of Team Carrie over the course of 6 months

The film has also been signed for distribution by Ananda Media in France - you can watch the trailer here.