Cork Film Festival announces winner of inaugural best new Irish feature award

'Prospect House' was selected from an eclectic shortlist to be named the Best New Irish Feature at the 68th Cork International Film Festival

'Irish Examiner' Editor Tom Fitzpatrick with Anne Gately and Paul Mercier — producer and director respectively of the winning film — and Cork Film Festival director Fiona Clark announcing 'Prospect House' as the inaugural winner of the Cork Film Festival Best New Irish Feature award, sponsored by the Irish Examiner. Picture: Larry Cummins

The rude health of the Irish film industry was underlined on Sunday night at Cork International Film Festival (CIFF) with the announcement of the event’s inaugural Best New Irish Feature award.

An eclectic mix of five films had been nominated for the first year of an award that is supported by the Irish Examiner, with the cash prize of €3,000 going to Paul Mercier’s 'Prospect House'.