ATU student’s short documentary film wins nine international awards

August 01, 2025

A stunning short film “Echoes of an Irish Lifetime (2025)” by ATU student Frances Maguire has scooped nine international film awards and has been selected to screen at six international film festivals around the world from Chile and Australia to the US and France this summer.

Women with arms folded smiling at camera wearing white shirt with dark straight hair.

A stunning short film “Echoes of an Irish Lifetime (2025)” by ATU student Frances Maguire has scooped nine international film awards and has been selected to screen at six international film festivals around the world from Chile and Australia to the US and France this summer.
The short documentary focuses on the reminiscences of 94-year-old Owney McGoldrick about his life farming in the northwest of Ireland. Music is by Purple Planet.

ATU student Frances Maguire lives in Pettigo, Co Donegal, with her spouse and three grown children. She made the film as part of her dissertation final under the guidance of ATU lecturer Matt McDonagh during the third year of her studies on the Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Production in ATU Donegal. She is a member of FilmFreeway, the umbrella name for a wide range of film festivals around the world. The awards she has won so far, with more pending, are:

• Honorable Mention – East Village New York Film Festival in May

• Best Short Documentary – New York Movie Awards in June

• Best First Time Director – Florence Film Awards, Italy in June

• Silver Award – Paris Film Awards in June

• Silver Award – London Movie Awards in June

• Best Documentary Script – Travancore International Film Festival, India in June

• Best Narrative Documentary Film – Travancore International Film Festival, India in June

• Best Debut Documentary Film – Travancore International Film Festival, India in June

• First Time Director – Short Film Festival Los Angeles.

Selected for screening:

• South Film and Arts Academy Festival, Chile.

• Colortape International Film Festival, Brisbane, Australia.

• International Gold awards, New York.

• Red Movie Awards, France.

• Los Angeles Movie and Music Video Awards.

• New York Lift-Off Film Festival.

Speaking about her work, Frances says: “My passion for creative storytelling led me to write this short film. The experience has deepened my love for filmmaking and reinforced my commitment to a future in the industry. My goal is to further hone my craft and expand my knowledge by engaging directly with those who have established careers in this field. I’m eager to contribute creatively while gaining valuable insights that will help me grow as a filmmaker. I look forward to building relationships within the industry and am enthusiastic about the possibility of working alongside talented individuals who share my passion for storytelling and cinematic expression.”

Lecturer Matt McDonogh says: “Frances is a delight to work with as a student. Inquisitive and hard-working, she is enthusiastic in all aspects of film-making and took every opportunity that came her way, getting work placements on a number of productions which shot in Donegal. I and my colleagues are delighted that her graduate film is getting the recognition that it and she deserve”.

Watch the short film (4.54 mins) on: Frances Maguire — Echoes of an Irish Lifetime (2025)

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