THE award-winning film about a Tralee woman who founded an orphanage in Tanzania received its Tralee premiere at Siamsa Tíre on Thursday night.
‘Kilimanjaro Mama’ is an hour long documentary featuring teacher Louise Quill from Tralee, who tells the story of why she decided to set up Tir na nÓg orphanage in Africa, what drives her and the impact it has had on her own health and wellbeing.
It won Best Feature Film at the Kerry Film Festival recently, receiving a standing ovation there, but it was a chance for a hometown audience to see the documentary on Thursday.
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The screening was sold out weeks in advance and there was a great atmosphere at a drinks reception beforehand at the venue. Louise Quill said she was delighted to see so many people there.
“It’s a full house and people were on a waiting list for tickets tonight. We were thrilled to win the award in Killarney. The film is being looked at by RTE at the moment and it’s also going to film festivals in the US. It will be screened again in Killarney cinema on December 5 at 7pm as a fundraiser for Tír na nÓg,” she added.
Directed by Malcolm Willis and produced by Tralee man Brian Hurley, the documentary tells the story of Louise’s sheer dogged determination to give the children of Kilimanjaro the best possible chance to overcome the tough life they have been dealt. Scroll down for photos…