Three Galway-based writers are finalists in the 19th Writers’ Guild of Ireland (WGI) Zebbie Awards which celebrate Irish writing for stage, screen and audio.
The awards ceremony, which will be presented by Tara Flynn, will take place at the Light House Cinema in Dublin on Thursday, September 3.
Screenwriting duo Mary Fox and Marty Thornton, who are based in Tuam, are in the running to be honoured for Best TV Drama for their work on Hidden Assets, Season 3 Episode 1. And Mayo native Fíona Ní Dhuibhir who is living in Galway is nominated for a Best Continuing Drama Script award for Ros na Rún, Season 29 Episode 81.
The exceptionally high standard of Irish writing is reflected throughout this year’s nominations, with other nominees in the Best TV Drama category including Ailbhe Keogan for Trespasses, Episode 4 and Jo Spain for Mix Tape, Episode 1. *See below for full list of nominees.
The WGI says the Zebbie Awards are an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on the writers behind Ireland’s success in film, television, theatre, radio and audio drama, and to remind the industry that no production can exist without a script.
The Zebbie Awards celebrate the best of Irish writing in Theatre, Television Drama, Continuing Drama, Short Film, Feature Film, Radio & Audio Drama and Children’s & Young People’s Television. Only WGI members can read the nominated scripts and vote in the member-voted categories.
The awards 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.
The WGI, which campaigns for rights, remuneration, more control of work and better recognition for its members, represents Irish writers for film, television, theatre, radio, animation and games. It campaigns to ensure writers are recognised as the creative force without which there is no production.
The Zebbies are grateful for the support of Screen Ireland and the Irish Copyright Licensing Agency.
Jennifer Davidson, Chair of the Writers Guild of Ireland, said, “Once again, we’re delighted to celebrate the extraordinary craft and talent of Irish writers through the Zebbie Awards. This year’s nominations show the range and quality of writing being created by our members across stage, screen and audio.”
“At a time when the Irish screen industry is experiencing record-breaking growth, it is more important than ever that writers are properly recognised and fairly paid for the work that makes that success possible. No film, television series, play, audio drama or children’s programme can exist without the script at its heart.
“The Zebbies are an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on the brilliant creative minds behind the stories audiences love, and to remind the industry that fair contracts, fair payment and public recognition for writers must be central to any sustainable future for Irish storytelling.”
