
Ó Bhéal Poetry-Film Competition Winner Announced
9th Ó Bhéal Poetry-Film Competition Winner Announced
We are thrilled to announce and convey our heartfelt congratulations to poet & filmmaker Janet Lees from the Isle of Man, whose film What I fear most is becoming “a poet” is Ó Bhéal’s 9th poetry-film competition winner, as announced at the 9th Winter Warmer Poetry Festival awards ceremony.
Janet’s film was chosen from 184 submissions received from 122 filmmakers in 32 countries. The 2021 shortlist represents 13 countries: Canada, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Perú, Romania, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, UK and the USA. You can view the complete shortlist and screenings here. Our warm thanks to all the poets and filmmakers who submitted this year.

Filmmaker: Janet Lees Poet: Katerina Gogou Translator: G. Chalkiadakis Composer/musician: Tromlhie Produced by +the Institute for Experimental Arts and commissioned by the art platform filmpoetry.org as part of the Digital Culture Programme, Ministry of Culture / Greece
“There were so many beautiful filmpoems entered into the competition, I loved watching every single one of them, and appreciated all of the work, imagination and innovation that went into making them. In the end, the piece called What I fear most is becoming a poet stood out as a stunning example of filmpoetry as a unique art form. Janet Lees has created a powerful visual rendering of Katerina Gogou’s poem. I was both floored and inspired by it. Comhghairdeas ó chroí!”– Paula Kehoe
“This is such an evocative and moving piece. Katerina Gogou’s poem, enormous in itself which speaks so intimately about the poet’s world of peril and uncertainty, met with this filigreed balance of soft pianissimo and perfectly-paced typography, the haunting, completely captivating visuals, the almost hesitant text (in places), and the very absence of voice bringing us so much closer to the poet’s inner sanctum… all just masterfully done. A highly worthy winner.”– Paul Casey