Kildare production company’s first feature film wins big at the Galway Film Fleadh

A Kildare-based production company’s first-ever feature film won a prestigious award at the 35th annual Galway Film Fleadh.

Prelude Content was established by Naas film producer Paul FitzSimons in 2021, and he boarded the film Verdigris last summer, partnering with writer/director Patricia Kelly.

Verdigris premiered on Friday, July 14 last at Galway’s iconic Town Hall Theatre and won Best Independent Film Award.

The 90 minute film was shot in January 2023, with Kelly co-producing though her company MnáMná Films. 

The film, which aims to raise awareness of coercive domestic abuse, tells the story of Marian and Jewel, two very different women who become unlikely friends on the streets of inner-city Dublin.

Recently retired, middle-class Marian takes a job as a census enumerator, believing it will give her  the independence she craves and a break-away from her abusive and controlling husband.

On her challenging inner-city route, she comes up against Jewel, a teenage girl living on her own and  working as a prostitute.

The two eventually strike a deal: Marian won’t report Jewel to the  authorities if Jewel helps Marian with the census.

As they walk the Dublin streets, Jewel finds herself forming a real bond with this most unexpected friend, and Marian comes to admire Jewel’s  independence and strength and realises that life away from her miserable marriage is not just a dream; it’s a real possibility.  

Commenting on the film's success at the event, Paul said: "This is a very powerful film made possible by the sheer will of Patricia, myself and our fantastic  cast and crew.

"It feels so fitting and right that it won the award for Best Independent Film."

Patricia added: "Winning Best Independent Film at the Galway Film Fleadh is the most wonderful start to Verdigris's festival journey.

"We're really excited to see where our truly-indie film will travel." 

The film was up for a number of the festival’s awards at Sunday night’s ceremony and came away with the prize for Best  Independent Film.

In his acceptance speech, producer Paul FitzSimons encouraged filmmakers to 'get out there and make low budget independent films.'

Prelude Content have a number of other film and TV drama projects in the works, including a short film with Patricia Kelly attached to direct.

For more about Prelude Content, visit them at www.preludecontent.com.