The 21st Galway Film Fleadh took place from July 7-12 2009 and offered film lovers a weeklong programme of world premieres, special tributes, Irish and international features, documentaries and shorts. The Fleadh celebrated its 21st birthday with an array of prestigious actors, directors and filmmakers joining in its birthday celebrations.

2009 AWARD WINNERS

Best Feature Documentary
Winner: The Cove Directed by Louie Psihoyos
Runner Up: Sweet Crude Directed by Sandy Cioffi

Best First Feature
Winner: Frozen River Directed by Courtney Hunt
Runner Up: Baraboo Directed by Mary Sweeney

Best Irish Feature
Winner: His & Hers Directed by Ken Wardrop
Runner Up: Swansong: Story of Occi Byrne Directed by Conor McDermottroe

Best First Animation- The James Horgan Award
Winner: Blip Directed by Sean Mullen and Ben Harper
Honourable mention: The Office Environment Directed by Mark Mullery

Best Animation
Winner: The Polish Language Directed by Alice Lyons and Orla McHardy
Honourable mention: Old Fangs Directed by Adrien Merigeau 
Honourable mention: On the Quiet Directed by Eamonn O’Neill

Best Short Documentary
Winner: Christmas with Dad Directed by Conor McCormack
Honourable mention: The Knife Directed by Colm Quinn 
Honourable mention: God and Napoleon Directed by Ciaran Deeney

Best First Short Drama
Winner: Thursday Afternoon Directed by Manus McManus
Honourable mention: Questions Directed by Mark Noonan

Best Short Drama- The Tiernan McBride Award
Winner: The Man Inside Directed by Rory Bresnihan
Honourable mention: If I should fall behind Directed by Morgan Bushe
Honourable mention: Dental Breakdown Directed by Ian Power

The Pitching Award
Get the Pope Pitched by Gary Mitchell