Tag: #awards

Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards 2024

Tech Industry Alliance (TIA) is delighted to announce the 2024 Leaders’ Awards, taking place at the prestigious Great Southern Hotel, Killarney, on 29th November.

This year’s ceremony marks a pivotal moment as the awards debut in County Kerry, a region that is swiftly becoming a powerhouse of technological innovation. The decision to host the event in Kerry highlights TIA’s commitment to recognising the achievements of the entire South-West’s tech and STEM communities and the vital role that collaboration plays in driving this regional success.

The Tech Industry Alliance Leaders’ Awards, now in their 17th year, have become the benchmark for celebrating those who are shaping the future of technology in the South-West. From emerging startups to established multinational companies, these awards honour the leaders whose contributions are making a significant impact on the region’s growth. Former winners of Tech Person of the Year include Frank Madden, Founder & CEO, Crest Solutions, and Andrew O’Shaughnessy, Founder of Poppulo.

Building on a Legacy of Leadership and Collaboration

The Leaders’ Awards represent nearly two decades of unwavering dedication to fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the tech sector. Since their inception, the awards have shone a spotlight on the extraordinary achievements of a wide range of organisations, from pioneering startups to leading educational institutions across the entire STEM spectrum.

Sean Ryan, TIA Board Member and Chairperson of Aspen Grove, shared his excitement about this year’s event: “Bringing our flagship event to Kerry isn’t just a milestone; it’s a statement. It underscores our commitment to driving tech innovation and collaboration across every corner of the South-West. County Kerry and Cork’s tech scene is thriving, and it’s only right that we celebrate these achievements in a region that plays such a crucial role in Ireland’s economy”.

The Power of Partnership

This year marks the third Leaders’ Awards under the Tech Industry Alliance, a collaboration formed in 2022 through the merger of it@cork and KerrySciTech. This partnership has been instrumental in expanding the reach and impact of the South-West tech sector. Partnerships like these are the bedrock of our success, fuelling innovation and fostering growth across the region.

Ogie Sheehy, TIA Board Member and CEO of ViClarity, urged the community to get involved: “There’s a real buzz around this year’s awards. I encourage everyone in the tech community of the South-West to join us — nominate those who are making waves and helping to build the vibrant ecosystem that collaboration has brought to life in our region.”

Recognising Leaders and Innovators

The 2024 Leaders’ Awards categories include Tech Start Up of the Year, Tech Scale Up of the Year, and Tech Person of the Year, among others. These awards not only recognise innovative use of technology but also highlight the resilience, creativity, and social impact of businesses and individuals who are driving progress in the region.

Gerry Murphy, TIA Chairperson, emphasised the significance of collaboration: “These awards are about more than just celebrating success—they’re about showcasing the innovation and determination that push our region forward. Thanks to the partnerships that underpin our work, we’re able to shine a light on the cutting-edge technologies and resilient businesses that make the South-West a leader in tech. We owe a great deal to our sponsors and partners, including Kerry County Council, Cork County Council, and Cork City Council, whose support is essential to our ongoing success.”

Mayor of Kerry, Breandán Fitzgerald, commented that he is “very pleased to welcome the TIA awards to Kerry for the first time, and Kerry County Council is delighted to be associated with the event, as well as collaborating with our counterparts in Cork”.

Join Us in Celebrating Excellence

Nominations for the Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards 2024 are now open, with submissions accepted until 11th October 2024. The awards night promises to be an inspiring celebration of the best and brightest in South-West tech. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this event—reserve your tickets by contacting info@techindustryalliance.ie. For more information, visit www.techindustryalliance.ie.

Applications now open for Deloitte’s 2024 Fast 50 Awards

Indigenous technology companies can now apply to be part of the 25th annual Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards.

The Technology Fast 50 is one of Ireland’s foremost technology awards and a celebration of both innovation and entrepreneurship.

The programme ranks the 50 fastest growing indigenous technology companies based on revenue growth over the last four years.

The list features both private and public listed technology companies that have demonstrated creative strategies, sound management practices and marketplace vision, driving them to achieve the status of high-growth leaders.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s programme, James Toomey, partner and Fast 50 programme lead at Deloitte, said:

“As we celebrate 25 years of Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 awards, it is an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary growth of Ireland’s indigenous technology sector and the ongoing presence and contribution of large tech companies that call Ireland home.”

“Even though there are challenges, Ireland’s indigenous technology sector continues to exhibit robust growth in 2024. Cloud computing, cybersecurity and data analytics are all areas that are rapidly expanding amid increased investment in artificial intelligence and greater reliance on cloud infrastructure.”

“The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards is a performance benchmark for indigenous tech companies and the industry as a whole. I strongly encourage any interested tech company in Ireland to apply.”

This year’s awards programme will include several award categories that companies can enter in addition to the overall ranking.

  • Growing New Technology Award in association with Google: This award recognises a company that has created or introduced a new or innovative product or service to international markets, which helped grow their business over the last four years.
  • Impact Award in association with Meta: This award recognises a company that has made a significant impact within the current year.
  • Women in Technology Advocate Award in association with NetSuite: This award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated through their actions that they are an advocate for increasing participation by, and promotion of, women in the technology sector.
  • Scale Up Award in association with Scale Ireland: This award recognises a company that has demonstrated an impressive ability to scale up/expand overseas over the last four years.
  • Financial Services Innovation Award in association with Financial Services Ireland: This award recognises a company with an innovative product or service that is having a disruptive impact within the financial services industry.
  • The Rising Star award in association with Enterprise Ireland: This award will recognise a company that has demonstrated a promising growth trajectory and the potential for inclusion in the Fast 50 rankings in years to come. Companies being considered for this award must have operating revenues accounting for a minimum of 2 years and less than 4 years.

2023 rankings

15 of the 50 companies ranked last year were first time winners. Fintech company Swoop, led by Andrea Reynolds, ranked first as the fastest growing technology company, after ranking fourth in 2022. Swoop is a global platform supporting SMEs by bringing their business data into one place to garner insights and instantly match them to eligible finance, as well as assess their spend on cost categories such as energy, banking and FX. Buymedia, led and founded by Fergal O’Connor, ranked fifth in 2023 and eighth in 2022. Buymedia is a data-driven platform that helps companies and agencies plan, manage and buy advertising.

Andrea Reynolds, CEO, Swoop, said: “Ranking in the Fast 50 awards has brought us valuable brand recognition, in particular in the US, as Fast 50 is a globally recognised award. As we continue to grow Swoop, this recognition abroad is incredibly valuable. For the team in Swoop, it’s an opportunity to pause and reflect on how far we’ve come, and this award gives them another boost to keep going.”

Fergal O’Connor, CEO, Buymedia, said: “Fast 50 sticks out to me due to its objectivity, as the rankings are based solely on the growth of the business. Ranking in the Fast 50 has been really helpful when we have been speaking to potential investors.”

Application details and further information about the programme can be found at https://www.deloitte.com/ie/en/Industries/tmt/technology-fast-50-awards.html

The closing date for entries is 27 September 2024 and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in Dublin on 28 November 2024.

Launch of Inaugural STEM South West Awards 2024

Leaders of STEM in Industry, Education and the Community are to be recognised by the STEM South West Awards 2024. The Awards were launched by European Commissioner nominee Michael McGrath TD, Bob Savage, CIO (EMEA) & Cork Site Lead, Dell Technologies, and Mary Good, Chair STEM South West  & Managing Director of Advanced Medical Services, at Cork County Hall.

Companies leading the 75,000+ people working in the South West’s thriving STEM sectors are invited to showcase their various programmes and initiatives in place to actively support the future talent pipeline and STEM growth strategy in the region.

The inaugural Awards will recognise companies and education providers who are leading the charge for the region’s STEM community, and safeguarding the economic and employment future for the STEM industry in the South West.

STEM South West, representing over 50 companies working within the STEM sector in the South West region, who collectively employ thousands of people, say online entries will remain open until September 20th. Winners will be decided by an independent judging panel, led by Bob Savage, and will be announced at an Awards Ceremony on November 21st.

There are 3 main categories:

  • STEM in Industry:  Company of the Year
    – Small / Startup (up to 50 Employees)
    – Small to Medium (50 – 249 Employees)
    – Large Categories (250+ Employees))
  • STEM in Education:  Educational Initiative of the Year
    (Primary, Secondary, and Third Level)
  • STEM in the Community:   Transition Year (TY) Challenge of the Year

Launching the Awards, Minister McGrath,

“STEM plays such an important role in the economy of our region, which is home to a wide range of industries, from pharma and life sciences, to engineering and technology. STEM South West brings together a wide variety of stakeholders including universities, local government, both SME and multinational employers, and state agencies to facilitate skills training. There are now more than 250k people enrolled in publicly funded higher education colleges in Ireland. These prestigious awards provide us with an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the growth of STEM in the region.”

Speaking at the launch Mary Good, Chairperson of STEM South West,

“We are calling on companies, schools and educational institutes that are directly engaged in supporting the development of STEM subject study and career development to enter. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) forecasts that 21,000 additional jobs will be created by 2027.To support Ireland’s important and fast-growing Biopharma sector as just one example of a sector set to grow in future years, nurturing and developing a robust talent STEM pipeline is fundamental to future economic performance.”

STEM South West aims to provide a competitive, innovative, and resilient enterprise base that will facilitate STEM skills training, cross-regional collaboration between industry, government, and academia, and increase employment and economic opportunities throughout the STEM sector in the South West region.​

With Cork set to become the fastest-growing region under the Project 2040 plan, STEM South West say the region (Cork and Kerry) is a place where opportunity meets talent, particularly in STEM.

Bob Savage, Chair of the Judging Panel for the STEM South West Awards noted,

“Cork & the greater South West region now employs over 75,000 people in STEM businesses. It is an integral part of our local economy and has consistently grown over the past 40 years to become the region’s largest employer.  We must continue to develop and recognise initiatives that support the growth of this crucial industry sector for the future.” 

The Awards

The “STEM Company of the Year” award celebrates organisations leading the way in creating a proactive, inclusive and supportive environment for STEM, both within their own company and through outreach initiatives. This allows for entrants to outline the organisation’s corporate culture, development opportunities, and commitment to supporting, upskilling, and empowering STEM professionals. Any specific initiatives developed to encourage and inspire the next generation to consider future studies and career choices in the STEM sector will be of particular interest this year.

Attracting and retaining diverse and talented individuals is essential for driving innovation and safeguarding the future success of STEM expertise in the Southwest. Nurturing development opportunities for the next generation is also essential.

The “STEM in Education” award celebrates educational institutes, departments and classroom-led initiatives (primary, secondary and third level) that show the way toward creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment for STEM. Applications are also welcome from individual contributors, such as educators, lecturers, teachers, and career guidance professionals.

Educational initiatives in this category should demonstrate a commitment to inspiring, supporting, and empowering the next generation to engage in STEM-related topics. Entries can also demonstrate an innovative approach and robust learning opportunities for students.

The “TY Challenge of the Year” award celebrates a STEM in Transition Year (TY) initiative that created an excellent development and learning opportunity, inspiring the next generation, and resulting in the empowerment and upskilling of those who participated.

Nominations for STEM South West awards are now open at https://stemsouthwest.ie/awards/ and STEM South West are encouraging companies, education providers and students to get involved in this year’s Awards.

ISPCC honoured with award for ‘hard-hitting campaign that exposed truth about childhood in Ireland

ISPCC has received the top accolade for the Best Short-Term Media Campaign at the Awards for Excellence in Public Relations for its campaign ‘For some children, Christmas doesn’t happen’.

The awards, which have been co-hosted by the Public Relations Consultants Association Ireland (PRCA) and the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) for the past 30 years, recognise the best in Irish public relations, public affairs and internal communications across the public and private sectors.

There had been an initial 37 submissions in ISPCC’s category, which was then short-listed to a group of five finalists.

The judges said that it was a close contest, “but the winning entry was a hard-hitting campaign that showed no fear of exposing harsh truths about childhood in Ireland.”

They added that “this was a strategic and well-planned campaign, with excellent use of research and timing. Challenging objectives were clearly achieved with tangible results.

Kudos to an in-house team that surely worked long hours over the holidays period.”

Deirdre McNamara, ISPCC Head of Marketing and Communications, said that “ISPCC was delighted to see our campaign recognised by our peers. This achievement is testament to the amazing work of everyone at ISPCC.

“For too many children and young people, Christmas is sadly just another day. For some, the issues they encounter all year can worsen. It can mean abuse, neglect and loneliness.

For others, Christmas can present new worries and concerns.  Whatever the reason, they turn to Childline for support and for someone to listen.”

“At Childline we rely heavily on public generosity to help us to be here for every child who needs us.  We depend on this generosity to keep us listening 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.”

  • To support Childline and help keep volunteers listening to children and young people, please support the Childline Summer appeal and donate at www.ispcc.ie.

Creative Triumphs at EHA Awards 2024 with Double Accolades for Innovative Products

Creative proudly announces its recent triumph at the prestigious European Hardware Awards (EHA) 2024. Both Creative Aurvana Ace 2 and Creative Pebble X Plus have received top accolades, cementing the brand’s position as a frontrunner in the technology industry.

The EHA Awards are regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in the European tech landscape, uniting over 100 of Europe’s most respected technology journalists from prominent publications to recognize the year’s best hardware innovations. Celebrated for a decade of highlighting top technology hardware, the awards draw expertise from editors at leading tech publications across Europe, including Hardwareluxx (Germany), Geeknetic (Spain), KitGuru (UK), Cowcotland (France), PurePC (Poland), IO-Tech (The Nordics), Hardware Upgrade (Italy), Technology Insider (The Netherlands), and Lab 501 (Romania). Together, they ensure that the awards represent a comprehensive view of the best in the market.

The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 clinched the Best Earphones award, a testament to its superior sound quality and innovative design. Powered by xMEMS technology, the Aurvana Ace 2 unleashes the full potential of lifelike sound. It offers superior CD-quality clarity and precision, enhanced by Snapdragon Sound with Qualcomm aptX Lossless technology and Qualcomm Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation. These premium features are beautifully complemented by an aesthetically pleasing translucent compact charging case, perfectly blending performance and style.

In the Best Speakers category, the Creative Pebble X Plus stood out for its exceptional sound clarity, compact design, and powerful audio performance. Boasting an impressive RMS power of up to 30W and a peak power of up to 60W, both the 2.0 and 2.1 configurations promise a superior listening experience for music, movies, and gaming. In addition to its audio prowess, the Pebble X Plus features customizable RGB lighting, allowing users to create a pulsating light show to match any mood. With both wired and wireless modes, these speakers are an excellent choice for those seeking a premium desktop audio upgrade.

“We are thrilled and deeply honoured to receive these prestigious awards from the European Hardware Association,” said Song Siow Hui, CEO of Creative. “The recognition of the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 and Creative Pebble X Plus underscores our commitment to innovation, quality, and delivering outstanding products to our customers. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.”

For more information about their award-winning products, visit their website at Creative.com

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DreamDev Technologies software company from KIldare win at the National Enterprise Awards

DreamDev Technologies, a software company from Kildare who have developed a new AI augmented platform helping companies to significantly increase their product’s time to market, have been named Overall Winner at this year’s National Enterprise Awards.  DreamDev Technologies, established by Eoin Barry and Douglas Augiar, are the third Kildare winner of the National Enterprise of the Year Award in the last six years following on from Terra NutriTech in 2018 and Pestle & Mortar in 2019.

The Awards, which are an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices to celebrate the best small businesses in Ireland, were held at the Round Room in the Mansion House in Dublin in what is their 24th year.  Peter Burke, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, announced this year’s winners in front of representatives from the Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities and small businesses from across the country at the event.

DreamDev was set up in 2019 with the aim of utilising online tools and software to enable faster digitalisation for companies. Their flagship product, ‘the dot-star enterprise’ software platform enables software engineering teams to create their own bespoke software programmes which deliver results with significantly reduced resourcing requirements.

Announcing the award winners at the Mansion House and after earlier launching the new Local Enterprise Office Policy Statement, Minister Burke said; “The National Enterprise Awards are the highlight of the small business and enterprise calendar.  Year on year the diversity of businesses and the standard of companies that are coming through the process is getting stronger.  We should not be surprised given the innovation and endurance that businesses have shown in recent years.  We have some outstanding winners but the finalists on the whole have been excellent, and this is very much the start of their journey.  

“The new Local Enterprise Office Policy Statement I announced today sets out the vital role that LEOs have in fostering entrepreneurship and helping small businesses thrive every day across the country. The Policy Statement charts a clear roadmap of how LEOs will align their work with the priorities of the White Paper on Enterprise and ensure that their high-calibre offering continues into the future. I pay tribute to the great work of the current and former staff of the LEOs who, over the last 10 years, have helped and guided small businesses in Ireland which are at the heart of every town, village and community and are vital to our economy.”

John Magee, Chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices, said; “The National Enterprise Awards are the standard bearer for the very best of small businesses in Ireland.  You can see from previous winners that this is the first step on a bigger journey and it opens many doors for them nationally and internationally.   Across the Finalists and winners you see a great diversity of businesses covering a range of sectors.  The entrepreneurship eco-system is extremely healthy and these businesses are a testament to that.

“These entrepreneurs are inspired to create businesses and employment in their own areas and to establish businesses that can not only compete here but globally.  It’s a honour to be able to work with these businesses on a day-to-day basis and we look forward to seeing what all the finalists do in the coming years.”

 There were several other category winners announced on the night.

Innovation Award

The winner of the Innovation Award was Cytidel.  The cybersecurity company, supported by Local Enterprise Office Mayo, has created software that helps cybersecurity teams to identify and prioritise the top cyber threats to a company.

Best Export Award 

The winner of the Best Export Award was Eskimo Software.  The company, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Carlow, have created a CRM and lead generation software package specifically for car dealerships to improve efficiency and sales.

Best Start Up Award

The winner of the Best Start-Up Award was The Black Stuff.  The men’s care business, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, are creating over 10,000 handmade soaps a week and have utilised social media to create one of the fastest growing men’s care brands in the country.

 Green / Sustainability Award 

The winner of the Green/Sustainability Award was Living Green.  The sustainable living company, supported by Local Enterprise Office Donegal, create a range of products from organic compost and worm cast to wheatgrass and frozen shots.

One To Watch Award 

The winner of the One to Watch Award was Drink Botanicals.  The drinks company, supported by Local Enterprise Office Dublin City, have created a suite of products such as natural based syrups, cocktail ancillaries and dried garnishes that are being sold directly into over 200 bars, restaurants and off licences.

This year’s winners share a €50,000 investment fund and eight regional winners were also announced on the night.

Those winners are –

 

  • PRM Assist in the Dublin Region (backed by LEO Fingal)
  • Nutshed in the South West Region (backed by LEO Tipperary)
  • Watt Footprint in the Mid East Region (backed by LEO Westmeath)
  • Expat Taxes in the South Region (backed by LEO Waterford)
  • Brady’s Coffee in the South East Region (backed by LEO Wicklow)
  • Sleater Solutions in the North West Region (backed by LEO Sligo)
  • Zoma in the North East Region (backed by LEO Louth)
  • Grá Chocolates in the West Region (backed by LEO Galway)

Also honoured on the night were Bevcraft who won the Outstanding Achievement Award.  An example of a company who began with their Local Enterprise Office and then accessed support from Enterprise Ireland to grow their business globally.

Established by friends Ciarán Gorman and Darren Fenton who wanted to create an international business with significant employment in their hometown of Mullingar.   Their independent canning business and their mobile canning function allowed any small brewer to can and brand their drinks on site.  They now have 8 locations across Europe, servicing 20 countries and handling over 100million cans per year.

Previous winners of the National Enterprise Awards include Irish Yoghurts (1998), Obelisk (2000), Simtech Aviation (2008), Digiweb (2004) and Design Pro (2013), Terra NutriTech (2018), Pestle & Mortar (2019), Bevcraft (2021) and Aqualicence in 2022.

Last year’s winners were Advanced Cosmetics, supported by Local Enterprise Office Mayo.   The Ballina based company were set up Noreen Hackett in 2018, before launching to market in 2022.  As one of the only “concept to shelves” cosmetics companies in Europe they have achieved significant success, securing contracts with some of the biggest brand names in the cosmetics industry.

The National Enterprise Awards also celebrated 10 years since the inception of the Local Enterprise Offices in 2014 with several former winners attending on the evening.

The National Enterprise Awards are one of several initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland.

Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 70,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses. For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie

Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2024 Announces Shortlist of 30 International Filmmakers

Creo is delighted to announce the shortlist for the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2024. The shortlist of 30 filmmakers across six categories are awarded the unique experience of attending a week of special events at the Sony Pictures Studios lot in Los Angeles, including a workshop program providing unparalleled access behind-the-scenes of the industry and culminating in the Awards ceremony on May 30, 2024 where the six category winners, chosen by a selection of expert judges, are announced.

Established by Creo and sponsored by Sony, the sophomore edition of the major annual awards program for short films provides a gateway for the development of exceptional cinematic talent and sets out to elevate voices with an original perspective on storytelling. This year’s shortlist was chosen from over 8,400 films by more than 5,000 filmmakers across 148 countries and territories submitted across six categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Environment, Animation, Student, and Future Format.

The shortlisted stories range from a poignant documentary about two Holocaust survivors miraculously reunited after 80 years, a filmmaker’s search for the last remaining gibbon in Kuala Lumpur, a homeless ballet dancer undertaking a life-changing audition, a spontaneous romance between two strangers thrown together by grounded flights, and much more. Representing a truly global perspective on filmmaking, the shortlist includes films from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, and the United States.

Working from a longlist of commended submissions, the 30 shortlisted filmmakers were chosen by Emmy-award winning cinematographer Robert Primes ASCand celebrated Australian filmmaker Unjoo Moon. At the second stage of the judging process, judges Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, Co-Founders and Co-Presidents of Sony Pictures Classics (Call Me By Your Name, The Father, Whiplash); Rob Hardy ASC, BSC, BAFTA award-winning cinematographer (Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Ex-Machina, Civil War) ; Kate Reid BSC, acclaimed British cinematographer (Game of Thrones, Great Expectations, Silo) will choose this year’s category winners, awarding creative excellence and original approaches to narrative. Both stages of the judging process are chaired by award-winning director Justin Chadwick (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, The Other Boleyn Girl, Tulip Fever).

The 30 shortlisted filmmakers will be flown to Los Angeles to attend a comprehensive four-day workshop program at the Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City from May 28 – 31, 2024, culminating in a black-tie Awards ceremony on May 30, 2024. Held at the Cary Grant Theater and hosted by Entertainment Tonight’s Denny Directo, during the ceremony the six category winners will be announced, receiving a range of cash prizes and equipment. This immersive experience provides filmmakers with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with fellow filmmakers and leaders in the field of cinema, and to gain exclusive access behind-the-scenes of the industry, with workshops led by Sony Pictures executives, and covering a range of topics from keynotes by major cinematographers, screenings and Q&A sessions, to insights into working with talent agencies and using cutting-edge technologies, to film scoring and music rights.

Justin Chadwick, award-winning theater, television and film director and Chair of the Jury, says: “The level of submission and the international scope of new voices shortlisted for the Awards is thrilling. Across the 30 chosen filmmakers the perspectives told are manifold and captivating, charged with a passion and authenticity. I am delighted to once again lead this selection of filmmaking; a vision of storytelling and cinematic ingenuity and an aperture into the filmmakers who shall make up the future of our industry.”

Scott Gray, Founder and CEO, Creo, says: “With a staggering 8,400 films submitted this year, the caliber of entries received for this second edition of the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards and the  shortlist of filmmakers selected express the exceptional, global stories set to be showcased at this year’s event. We are grateful to Sony for providing this incredible opportunity for emerging filmmakers, and we extend our gratitude to our esteemed panel of judges for their invaluable expertise and insight in selecting the shortlist to join us in Los Angeles this May.”

The films and filmmakers comprising this year’s shortlist are:

FICTION

The Fiction category rewards narrative-led submissions that convey an original fictional story or event.

Katie Blair (USA), Imogene – Imogene is a single, free-spirited New Yorker in her 40s, whose traditional family is plotting to get her pregnant by inviting a donor for dinner;

Tan Ce Ding (Malaysia), Please Hold the Line – A young scam call operator finds herself in a moral dilemma as she navigates a life-changing situation;

Elliott Gonzo (UK), Hard Times – In east London, Danny, a man juggling fatherhood and addiction, is unexpectedly left to look after his daughter for the night, making a risky decision to involve her in a dangerous job for a much-needed paycheck;

Jason Hogan (UK), Twenty – Emily, a homeless ballet dancer, undertakes a potentially life-changing audition;

Margareth Villers (Estonia), What’s Up With Numbats? – In a small town library, meticulous Eve embarks on an absurd quest to find a missing book, determined to prove her colleague wrong after a minor disagreement.

NON-FICTION

The Non-Fiction category awards short films that are predominantly factual in content. These can include archive footage, documentary footage, reenactments and animation.

Jean Chapiro (Mexico), Hasta Encontrarlos (Till We Find Them) – After her daughter disappears in Mexico, a determined mother forms a collective of grieving families, navigating the harrowing landscape of disappearances as they search for loved ones, finding solace in healing dolls representing their missing children;

Olawunmi Hassan (Nigeria), Ìrún Dídì – From traditional Yoruba techniques to modern interpretations, the film traces the evolution of the timeless art of hair plaiting, as it becomes a sacred ritual of self-care and empowerment;

Jordan Matthew Horowitz (USA), Jack and Sam – A poignant documentary about two Holocaust survivors miraculously reunited after 80 years;

Florian Nick (Germany), Beyond Hope – Following highly trained volunteers dedicated to rescuing people in danger, the film portrays the heroic work of the Icelandic Association for Search & Rescue, exploring the physical and emotional challenges upon its members;

Kayla Robinson (USA), Quilted Education – Historian and skilled quilter Karen Hinton Robinson uses her talents to create beautiful artworks to educate and inform on Black history.

ENVIRONMENT

The Environment category champions films that communicate a positive future for the planet. The Environment category is part of Creators for the Planet, a global year-round engagement program set up by Creo and developed in collaboration with the United Nations Foundation and Sony Pictures.

Curtis Essel (Ghana), The Permaculturist – Vegan chef, permaculture enthusiast, and content creator Gaz Oakley meets permaculture expert Bemeriki Dusabe, a Congolese refugee who has been living in a settlement in Uganda for the last 16 years;

Solmund MacPherson (Canada), Wildmen of the Greater Toronto Area – A group of Toronto citizens fed up with the rising cost of living renounce their personhood en masse to legally become animals;

Palmer Morse (USA), Usugilix Awakun – Shayla, a passionate Unangax̂ scientist, delves into vital research concerning toxic shellfish;

Annie Roth (USA), Hellbent – In a small rural town in Pennsylvania, the refuge of a rare salamander and the only source of clean drinking water for 700 people is threatened by the installation of a fracking waste injection well;

Myles Storey (Malaysia), Finding Solo – Amongst the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur lies an isolated forest which is home to Solo, the forest’s last remaining gibbon.

ANIMATION

New to this year’s program, the Animation category embraces filmmakers using stop-motion, motion graphics, computer animation, drawn-on-film, rotoscoping, experimental animation, and additional available techniques.

Eva Louise Hall (USA), Mira – A struggling accordionist busker gets more than she bargained for when her desire to get noticed attracts the attention of a mysterious and enticing competitor;

Radheya Jegatheva (Australia), Bird Drone – A lonely seagull looking for love struggles to accept that its newfound object of affection is a human-operated drone with a limited battery life;

Lisa Kenney (UK), Mum’s Spaghetti – MC mastermind Poppy and her beatboxing border terrier Snoop are the new kids in town – and they’re ready to make their reputation known;

Kyle Novak (Czech Republic), Ángulos de la Hora (Hour Angle) – After their flight is grounded, two strangers agree to an anonymous tryst as their new travel plans are arranged;

Paul Robinson (USA), Resource:Full – Set in a desiccated landscape, an anthropomorphic machine extracts the energy from a solitary tree bud in an attempt to depart the depleted planet.

STUDENT

The Student category rewards filmmakers studying a film course at a registered institution at a diploma or degree level worldwide.

Natalia Bermúdez (Mexico), Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC), Mexico, Apnea – Renata, a young and talented swimmer, has a secret and fraught relationship with her swimming coach Liliana;

Katniss Tung Cheng (Hong Kong) & Salvador Alejandro Gutiérrez (Mexico), IADT – Dun Laoghaire Institute Of Art Design + Technology, Ireland, Below the Window – A new mother’s descent into darkness is triggered by the arrival of a mysterious wayfarer;

Farah Jabir (USA), New York University, USA, Kasbi – A middle-aged Pakistani housewife, in search of herself, hires a young, self-assured sex worker to keep her company for the night;

Raheem Razak (South Africa), AFDA, South Africa, Anguish – In what seems to be a zombie-infested world, devoted son Sam must tend to his zombie mother while surviving the apocalypse himself;

Muangthai Sarupkarn (Thailand), King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand, Stigma – A look back at one of the most brutal family homicides in Thailand’s history, perpetrated a decade ago in the Bangkok metropolis and described as a ‘cold-blooded’ and racially motivated act.

FUTURE FORMAT

The Future Format category champions a new generation of aspiring filmmakers, welcoming 2 to 5-minute-long films shot exclusively on a smartphone.

Muzamil Bhat (India), Polite Waters – Following the challenges faced by fishermen in the Wular Lake region, the story highlights the impact of man-made pollution and climate change on their work and livelihood;

Cristian Daniel (Uruguay), PARASOMNIA – A young man attempts to discover the unsettling presence in a dark corridor, with no knowledge of what may lie ahead;

Rana Ramy (Egypt), ABOVE/ZERO – A journey through the relationship between light, space, and subject, in an attempt to configure one’s existence within the light;

Bruno Sena (Brazil), Collapse – Through a powerful visual narrative, viewers witness the devastating consequences of human negligence as a fish tank becomes a metaphor for our planet’s deteriorating ecosystems;

Montgomery Taylor (UK), In The Bag – For the first time, witness a bank robbery from an angle you’ve never seen before.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 30 SHORTLISTED FILMMAKERS PLEASE VISIT SONYFUTUREFILMMAKERAWARDS.COM

Mozilla Rise25 awards hits Dublin this year

Mozilla’s Rise25 Awards are back for another inspiring year and now is your chance to nominate the people you believe are making a meaningful impact in your online community. Mozilla will be honoring 25 people who are leading that next wave of AI — who are using philanthropy, collective power, and the principles of open source to make sure the future of Ai is responsible, trustworthy, inclusive and centered around human dignity. 2024’s Awards will feature familiar categories from last year’s, but with a special emphasis on trustworthy AI.

2023 was indeed the year of AI, and as more people adopt it, we know it is a technology that will continue to impact our culture and society, act as a catalyst for innovation and creation, and be a medium to engage people from all walks of life in conversations thanks to its growing ubiquity in our everyday lives.

Mozilla is rising to the challenge through several key efforts: supporting AI builders as they take on the tech giants, introducing our own AI products in Firefox and beyond, and advocating for policies that prioritize human interest over corporate agendas. By recognizing and celebrating the people who are shaping the web today, we are contributing to a positive future for all. We know we cannot do this alone: At Mozilla, we believe the most groundbreaking innovations emerge when people from diverse backgrounds unite to collaborate and openly trade ideas.

Five winners will be selected from each of the below categories, to make up our 2024 Rise25 cohort:

Advocates – Guiding AI towards a responsible future

These are the policymakers, activists, and thinkers ensuring AI is developed ethically, inclusively, and transparently. This category also includes those who are adept at translating complex AI concepts for the broader public — including journalists, content creators, and cultural commentators. They champion digital rights and accessible AI, striving to make AI a force for societal good.

Builders – Developing AI through ethical innovation

They are the architects of trustworthy AI, including engineers and data scientists dedicated to developing AI’s open-source language infrastructure. They focus on technical proficiency and responsible and ethical construction. Their work ensures AI is secure, accessible, and reliable, aiming to create tools that empower and advance society.

Artists – Reimagining AI’s creative potential

They transcend traditional AI applications, like synthesizing visuals or using large language models. Their projects, whether interactive websites, films, or digital media, challenge our perceptions and demonstrate how AI can amplify and empower human creativity. Their work provokes thought and offers fresh perspectives on the intersection of AI and art.

Entrepreneurs – Fueling AI’s evolution with visionary ventures

These daring individuals are transforming imaginative ideas into reality. They’re crafting businesses and solutions with AI to meet societal needs, improve everyday life and forge new technological paths. They embody innovation, steering startups and projects with a commitment to ethical standards, inclusiveness and enhancing human welfare through technology.

Change Agents – Cultivating inclusive AI

They are challengers that lead the way in diversifying AI, bringing varied community voices into tech. They focus on inclusivity in AI development, ensuring technology serves and represents everyone, especially those historically excluded from the tech narrative. They are community leaders, corporate leaders, activists and outside-the-box thinkers finding ways to amplify the impacts of AI for marginalized communities. Their work fosters an AI environment of equality and empowerment.

This year’s awards build upon the success of last year’s programming and community event in Berlin, which brought to life what a future trustworthy Internet could look like. Last year’s event crowned trailblazers and visionaries across five distinct categories: Builders, Activists, Artists, Creators, and Advocates. (Psst! Stay tuned as we unveil their inspiring stories in a video series airing across Mozilla channels throughout the year, leading up to the 2024 Rise25 Awards!)

Why hold the event in Dublin?

Ireland’s history of questioning norms and cultivating independent thought resonates deeply with Mozilla’s mission and our ethos of challenging the default. This tradition carries through to today: Ireland boasts one of the world’s most vibrant tech sectors, and Dublin is its beating heart. With a rich cultural heritage, renowned for its impactful storytelling through literature, music, theater, and film, Dublin provides the perfect setting to explore diverse perspectives and spark creative exchange at Rise25.

So join them as they honor the innovators, advocates, entrepreneurs, and communities who are working to build a happier, healthier web. Click here to submit your nomination today! 

Local digital projects invited to enter the .ie Digital Town Awards 2024

.ie, the trusted national registry for over 330,000 .ie domain names, has announced that entries are now open for the .ie Digital Town Awards 2024.  Now in their 4th year, the .ie Digital Town Awards shine a light on local projects that have a digital element. Town groups, community organisations, regional and national collaboration projects and individual businesses across the country are invited to enter. There is a total prize fund of €60,000 across ten categories and the closing date for entries is Friday 1st March with winners being announced at a Gala awards ceremony in Sheraton Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath on Friday 24th May 2024.

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary TD, welcomed the launch of this year’s awards, ‘Not only do these awards highlight the benefits and possibilities of digital transformation in Ireland, they are fundamental to promoting awareness, use and understanding of digital offerings for our communities, for businesses and for our citizens the length and breadth of the country. Since the foundation of the awards, it has been inspiring to see such positive change brought about in local communities across the country through digital innovation.’

Oonagh McCutcheon, National Director of the .ie Digital Town Awards Programme said ‘The .ie Digital Town Awards create a real sense of pride for towns and communities, big and small, that are making massive leaps with digital technologies. We saw a 15% increase in the number of entries we received in 2023 compared to 2022 and as we enter the fourth year of the awards it is incredibly encouraging to see entries coming in from towns and villages the length and breadth of the country’.   

‘We are also delighted to welcome our new pillar sponsor Square on board this year, a digital-first organisation which shares our passion for empowering small businesses and organisations to thrive online. Square joins our long-term supporter and category sponsor, Western Development Commission.

Business technology platform Square has been unveiled as the awards pillar sponsor for 2024. Square allows business owners to sell anywhere, work more efficiently, to support and empower small businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive online. Speaking about the announcement, John O’Beirne, Executive Director of Square in Europe, said ‘We are delighted to be partnering with .ie for this year’s Digital Town Awards. At Square we believe in the power of technology to bring about positive change, from small projects to large companies. We want to help all types of businesses and communities succeed on their own terms and look at what’s possible. Sponsoring the .ie Digital Town Awards allows us to help recognise and reward this digital success in all of its forms.’

The ten categories in the 2024 .ie Digital Town Awards are:

  • Digital Education
  • Digital Tourism
  • Digital Community
  • Digital Business
  • Agri-tech
  • Digital Sustainability
  • Digital Newcomer
  • Digital Rising Star
  • Digital Change Maker
  • Digital Local Hero

Digital Sustainability, Agri-Tech and Digital Newcomer categories were new additions to the awards in 2023.

The Digital Sustainability category recognises projects which harness digital transformation, such as enhanced connectivity and the Internet of Things (IoT), to improve the environment and support sustainable business operations. The winner in 2023 was Hollymount, Mayo with Eco-powered Cabinets: Two eco-powered cabinets were installed on Croagh Patrick, to securely store defibrillators and life-saving medications to treat cardiac arrests.

The Agri-tech category recognises projects which aim to help the farming community by using digital technology to improve efficiency and profitability. Clonmel, Tipperary were the winners of this category in 2023 with the Smart Skills for Farming Communities project. The initiative was developed to help farmers use new technologies to make their work easier, save time and money as well as improving the sustainability and profitability of their farm. 60% of farmers report that there are barriers to digital training and supports. This project addresses that problem by providing very practical digital training in areas such as soil fertility technology; grassland management technology; tech for time and labour saving; and farm management systems and useful Apps. This project was also selected as the overall winner in 2023.

The Digital Newcomer category is for projects at the early stage of development that are harnessing the benefits of digital to promote a local initiative. Portumna, Galway were winners of this category in 2023 with a project to give the gift of stories to future generations by recording Family Histories.

The 2023 winner case study videos are available to view here.

The Awards are open to community organisations, town groups, regional or national collaboration projects and individual businesses who can demonstrate positive impacts of digital strategies. All categories are now open to businesses that use a digital element within their service.

Closing date for entry submissions is Friday 1st March 2024.