Joel Conroy is an Irish filmmaker.
Joel Conroy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dublin, Ireland |
| Occupation | Filmmaker/Screenwriter |
Joel previously worked with MTV in America and Australia. He made his first surfing documentary Eye of the Storm, which was first screened on RTÉ television in 2002 [1] and in 2009 he wrote and directed his first featured documentary, Waveriders. He began planning the film in 2005 when he read about George Freeth in a newspaper. He researched Freeth's background, tracking down his friends and relatives. The film was in development for 3 years; filming was over 2 years. It was shot on 35 mm film to give it a vintage feel. [2]
Waveriders won the 2008 Audience Choice Award from the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival,[3] the 2009 Irish Film and Television Awards inaugural George Morrison Feature Documentary Award[4] and the Best Documentary Award at the 2009 SURFER Poll & Video Awards.[5]
Margo Harkin (Producer) and Joel Conroy (Director) were awarded Outstanding Achievement in film making for Waveriders at the 2009 Newport Beach Film Festival.[6]