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DkIT Film & TV Students Are the Only Irish Nomination for Channel 4 Awards

04 June 2024

Dundalk Institute of Technology are so proud to report that the nominations have been announced for the Royal Television Society (RTS) Student Television Awards 2024, sponsored by 4Skills - Channel 4’s nationwide training and development strategy, and ‘Walking the Labyrinth’, a 21 minute documentary made by a group of  DkIT 4th year Film & TV students on their Major Project module, has been shortlisted as the only Irish entry to compete in the overall Royal Television Society Awards in London on June 21st.



Although all the winning entries from the Republic of Ireland Awards were sent forward to the judging panel in the UK, representing IADT, TUD, Ballyfermot and DKIT, the only Irish film chosen to compete was ‘Walking the Labyrinth’, which is now up against other chosen entries from the UK. The winners will be crowned at an awards ceremony held on Friday 21st June at the IET, Savoy Place, hosted by rapper, author and broadcaster Guvna B.

Sinéad Rocks, Managing Director, Nations and Regions at Channel 4 and Chair of the RTS Student Television Awards, said:

“It feels like every year, we are taken aback by the standard of work submitted to the RTS student awards - and this year is no exception. I look forward to celebrating this excellence alongside some of the key figures in our industry at this year’s awards ceremony in June.”

The DkIT student’s documentary challenges the history of the Irish government while following the story of a woman who was directly impacted by the Irish mother and baby homes and has taken back control over her life.  

The documentary tells the story of Susan who is one of the nine thousand babies born and or raised in Bessborough mother and baby homes. She was adopted into a loving family when she was only two weeks old. Susan uses her art to construct an identity for herself given that her other forms of identity have been constructed for her. Labyrinths are tools for personal, psychological and spiritual transformation. For Susan, the labyrinth symbolizes a journey of self-discovery. The adoption system in Ireland is designed to remove all agency from the adopted person. It was designed so Susan would never discover if she had other family members. This is the story of how an abstract methodology such as art shattered that and at the age of 44, Susan discovered she had a brother. 

Jessica Doherty, from Dundalk, who was the Director of Documentary said

"I am absolutely thrilled and honoured that our documentary was the only Irish entry for the prestigious Royal Television Society Awards in London. Being recognized on such a significant platform is truly a privilege. Additionally, recently receiving the inaugural Dearbhla Walsh Award for best major project was an incredible honour. These accolades are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We are excited and grateful for these opportunities and look forward to representing Irish talent on the international stage."

The Walking the Labyrinth documentary student team includes Jessica Doherty, Kim Stewart, Conor Farrelly, Sarah Olatunbosun and Megan Hughes. DkIT wishes all the team the very best in the finals and are so proud of all their contributions to this fantastic documentary.

 

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