Young Irish filmmaker lands top international award

An Irish filmmaker picked up a Gold Award at the YDA Young Director’s Awards ceremony on Thursday in Cannes.

Dublin-based Alan Bradley was honoured for his 2023 RTÉ documentary Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost, which sheds light on the high suicide rates within the Irish Traveller community.

Established in 1998, the Young Director Award (YDA) is the sole international award specifically devoted to emerging young filmmakers.

Bradley’s documentary was selected from an all-time high number of global submissions by a jury composed of distinguished industry producers and directors.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the award and to be acknowledged alongside such a high calibre of international talent,” says Bradley. “The passing of Patrick had a profound impact on the Traveller community, and my aspiration was for the documentary to serve as a platform for their voices to be heard. I am delighted that the work has connected with the international jury members.”

Commenting on Bradley’s win, the Danish film producer and member of the judging panel Kate Kagawa said: “This deeply emotional, sensitive film gave the entire jury goosebumps. It is an outstanding piece of work shining a light on a little known, yet crucially important issue.”

Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost premiered on RTÉ One last November and follows the parents of 12-year-old Patrick McDonagh, as they come to terms with their loss and explores the wider challenges facing their community.

Alan Bradley is currently working on two new documentaries to be broadcast in the autumn.

Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost is available to watch on the RTÉ player.