Clare Screenwriter Nell Hensey has the distinction of being a finalist in two categories of the 17th Writers Guild of Ireland (WGI) Zebbie Awards.
The awards ceremony, which will be presented by Tara Flynn, will take place on Tuesday, 3rd September at The Sugar Club in Dublin, and the Filipino-Irish screenwriter, who is also a director, is in with a chance of winning in the Best Short Film and Best TV Drama categories.
Her film Good Chips, which she wrote with Brigid Leahy, is one of three finalists in the Best Short Film Script category, while her screenplay for Falling For The Life Of Alex Whelan, based on the short story by Yan Ge, is a Best TV Drama Script finalist.
The native of Barefield, Co Clare, also made her television directorial debut with Falling For The Life Of Alex Whelan.
Despite a tumultuous year for the arts last year, with strikes, cutbacks and the erosion of opportunities for emerging talent, an exceptionally high standard of writing is reflected throughout this year’s nominations, with other nominees including Christine Molloy & Joe Lawlor who wrote the highly acclaimed feature film Baltimore. * See below for full list of nominees
The Zebbie Awards celebrate the best of Irish writing in Theatre, Television Drama, Continuing Drama, Short Film, Feature Film, Radio and Animation. Only WGI members can read the nominated scripts and vote in the awards.
They are named in honour of O.Z. ‘Zebby’ Whitehead, a Broadway and Hollywood actor who was a great supporter of theatre and writing in Ireland after he moved to Dublin in 1963.
This year’s awards take place as the Writers’ Guild of Ireland celebrates its Emerald Anniversary, marking 55 years since it was first established as the Society of Playwrights in Ireland.
As part of its Emerald celebrations, the WGI will be hosting the World Conference of Screenwriters 2024 in Galway this October, where over two hundred screenwriters from all across the world will gather to discuss their craft and their industry.
The WGI, which campaigns for rights, remuneration, more control of work and better recognition for its members, represents over 400 Irish writers for film, television, theatre, radio, animation and games.
This year’s Zebbie Awards will also present former Senator David Norris, who hosted the Zebbie Awards for many years, with the WGI’s Special Services to Writers Award in honour of his support for the WGI and Irish writers.
The WGI gratefully acknowledges the support of our Zebbie Awards sponsors Comisiún na Meán and the Irish Copyright Licensing Agency (ICLA).
Jennifer Davidson, Chair of the Writers Guild of Ireland, said: “Once again, we’re delighted to support and celebrate the craft of our talented members through the Zebbie Awards. Now in their 17th year, the Zebbies highlight the incredible contribution that Irish writers make to our creative industries. At the Writers Guild of Ireland, we are exceptionally proud of the work that our members do. It is our privilege to hold the annual Zebbie Awards to recognise and celebrate the best writing for stage, screen and radio across seven categories. It is a real privilege to celebrate the talent of Irish writers and remind everyone of the brilliant creative minds behind your favourite films, plays, radio dramas and tv shows.
“This year, we are also honoured to present our Special Services to Writers Award to the powerhouse that is former Senator David Norris, who for many years hosted the Zebbie Awards in his own inimitable style, and who both on stage and behind the scenes has always been a fierce advocate for the Guild and for Irish writers.”
