Frank Berry, a former student and tutor of Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education, has won the best Director Award at the Irish Film & Television Awards (IFTAs). Berry beat Banshees of Inisheerin Director Martin McDonagh in the category for his film Aisha, which also won Best Script at an awards ceremony held in Dublin on Sunday.
Berry’s work focusses on hard hitting documentaries in his trademark social reality style. He aims to spotlight difficult social issues such as addiction, poverty, suicide and wealth inequality. Aisha tackles racism and looks at Ireland’s immigration system through the eyes of his protagonist, Nigerian woman Aisha Osagie, played by Leticia Wright.
The award-winning director has previously spoken out on the issue of direct provision and worked closely with groups such as Asylum Seekers Ireland to highlight what he describes as an “inhumane system” while making Aisha.
Berry previously directed the IFTA nominated “I Used to Live Here” as well as the critically acclaimed “Michael Inside”. Frank’s earlier work “Ballymun Lullaby”, is an uplifting look at the impact one person can have in a community.
In a guest lecture recently with Film Production students at Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education Frank advised students who want to get into the media industry to “practice a lot, make lots of films and then you will see your voice coming through. Hard work pays off no matter where you are”.
