Dearbhla Glynn Takes ICCL Grand Prize

On the day that Israel announced a partial easing of its Gaza land blockade, this beautiful and moving film about the plight of the Gaza Strip's inhabitants has been recognised by a panel of judges headed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Kirsten Sheridan. The short documentary offers a unique and powerful insight into the day-to-day living conditions faced by the Gaza Strip's 1.5 million conflict-stricken inhabitants.

"Recent events have brought home the abject misery of the 1.5 million Palestinians forced to live behind the Gaza blockade, and shown the importance Irish people attach to bringing them relief," Kirsten Sheridan said. "Dearbhla's film is an impassioned snapshot of the daily lives of Gazans, and a powerful reminder of the need to end their ongoing suffering."

Dearbhla has written a number of pieces for Hot Press on the siege of Gaza.

The presentation took place in the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin.

On the night, Kirsten was joined by a star-studded Jury, including actress Victoria Smurfit, presidential hopeful Senator David Norris and Oscar-nominated animator Tomm Moore. Victoria Smurfit presented third place prize to independent filmmaker Daniel Bevan for Midnight With No Pain, a drama about dignity at the end of life, while Senator David Norris awarded the runner-up prize to documentary-maker Cara Holmes for If You Like it Then You Should Be Able to Put a Ring on It, which charts the highs and lows of the campaign for same-sex civil marriage.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) Human Rights Film Awards are Ireland’s first and only short film awards dedicated to human rights. The Grand Prize consists of a place in the prestigious Summer School in Human Rights, Cinema and Advocacy, which will take place from 28 August - 4 September 2010 in NUI Galway. Runners up prizes include master classes with Jury members, and free training and studio time with Filmbase and Windmill Lane.

The Awards Jury, who judged the shortlist, comprises acclaimed filmmakers Rebecca Miller, Kirsten Sheridan and Tomm Moore; actress Victoria Smurfit; Senator David Norris; Chair of the Irish Film Board James Morris; former IFCO Chair John Kelleher; Director of JDIFF Grainne Humphreys and Prof Bill Schabas of NUI Galway.

Gaza: Post Operation Cast Lead from ICCL Human Rights Film Awards on Vimeo.

For more on the shortlisted movies, click here