After premiering to a full house and rave reviews at the Manchester Film Festival, “Wait for Me” has gone one better and won big at the closing night’s award ceremony with the director Keith Farrell picking up the prestigious “Best Director” award for his debut film.
Written by Bernard O’Toole and produced by Thea Burrows and Margot Douglas for Old Hall Films, “Wait for Me” premiered at the BIFA qualifying festival on Saturday 11th March but has now gone one better after picking up its first of what we hope will be many awards on Sunday 18th March.
When festival director Neil Jeram-Croft announced Keith as the best feature film director at the festival a huge roar went up from the crowd, clearly the film has won the hearts and minds of those attending the festival. Upon picking up his award (a statue in the shape of the symbol of Manchester – the Worker Bee), Keith thanked all the cast and crew who made the film possible, as well as thanking the jury and all the staff and volunteers at the Manchester Film Festival and the Odeon Great Northern Cinema.
Commenting on winning best director for his debut feature Keith Farrell said, “To win best director for my debut feature is incredible. Having emigrated to England over 20 years ago, I wanted to make a film that crossed the Irish sea and explored the lives of Irish emigrants who haven’t been successful or “made it” in the UK as a debut feature and to have a prestigious festival such as Manchester is totally unexpected.”
Clutching his “Buzzie” as the award statue is unofficially known, Keith then went to join the team from Old Hall Films to party the night away at the Manchester Film Festival’s closing night festivities.
The film is a UK/Irish co-production made with the support of Screen Yorkshire and scheduled for a UK release on 2nd June 2023.