The winner of the Belfast Film Festival Short Film Competition was announced yesterday evening at the Filmmakers’ Ball in the Black Box.

Filmmaker Eoin Cleland beamed with pride as he was presented with the award by Festival director Michele Devlin for his film Incoming Call.

The competition was judged by Susan Picken (Head of QFT) Sarah Edge (Professor of Photography and Cultural Studies, Ulster University), Nicholas Keogh (Filmmaker) and Chris Martin (Producer).

They said: “Eoin has made an impactful short that is accessible and humorous whilst at the same time tackling some more serious issues around the impact of self-doubt on young people’s lives.”

Two more films were selected for special commendation – Dam, directed by Conan McIvor and written by Michael Daly, and Groundless, written and directed by Eimear Callaghan.

The judges said: “Both films we felt explored challenging issues, sensitively showing great potential for the writers and directors to further examine important social issues.”

After two packed screenings of short films earlier in the day at the Queen’s Film Theatre, the filmmakers were then able to relax and celebrate their films’ festival selection.