With over 80 acts spread across 34 amazing venues in Dublin city, this year’s Dublin Fringe Festival was the biggest and perhaps the most exciting yet.

After two amazing weeks, the festival drew to a close last night as we found out which shows, acts and performers won over the judges.

The Awards, presented in twelve categories, were assigned by the fifteen judges and were announced yesterday at the Wigwam, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin.

“We have had a fantastic Fringe, led by artists with great vision, bravery and skill,” said Artistic Director of Dublin Fringe Festival, Kris Nelson. “Artists enacted a full city takeover and audiences engaged with adventurous, powerful, taboo-breaking and delightful performance works. Hats off to the judges for their selections – a marvellous line up of some of the very best of Fringe.”

Sharing the views of this year’s judging panel, chairperson of the 2017 judges panel, our very own Lisa Connell said: “The programme from this year’s Dublin Fringe Festival not only offered us a growth of the festival across the city with a diverse and wide-ranging scope, but also some beautifully & bravely tackled fundamental social issues that we must consider as a society; equality, visibility and bodily autonomy representing a significant theme. The Judges were blown away by the excellence and precision that so many artists and companies brought to their work tackling such big issues with passion and commitment. We look forward to seeing more from these amazing creators in the next year.”

Drum Roll Please…

And now it’s time to find out who the winners are:

Best Design Award
The award presented for outstanding lighting, sound, scenic, projection, costume or overall design.
WINNER:
Soldier Still by Junk Ensemble
For Overall Design, Costume and Set Design by Sabine Dargent, Lighting Design by Sarah Jane Shiels, Sound Design/Composition by Denis Clohessy, costume design by Sarah Foley

Best Performers Award
Two of the festival’s best performers will take home this much sought-after accolade from a field of up to 10 nominees.
WINNERS:
Lucy McCormick for Triple Threat
Silvia Calderoni for MDLSX by Motus

Best Ensemble Award
This award recognises the ensemble as the standout – the key and driving action behind a project or show.
WINNER:
Birdy by Eccles Theatre Group

Judges Choice Award
Instituted in 2014, this Award recognises a project, contributor, experience of Fringe event that defies categorisation and is simply just too good to pass by unheralded.
WINNERS:
Trophy by STO UNION / Sarah Conn + Allison O’Connor with Change of Address
Fierce Notions by Ill Advised Theatre Co.

Fishamble New Writing Award
Honouring the best play by a new or emerging Irish (or Ireland-based) playwright premiered during Dublin Fringe Festival, this Award includes dramaturgical support as appropriate, for instance, a scholarship place on one of Fishamble’s acclaimed playwriting courses and generously supported by Fishamble: The New Play Company.
WINNER:
All Honey by Sad Strippers Theatre

First Fortnight Award
Since its inception in 2009, First Fortnight’s key aim has been to challenge stigma and prejudice about mental health issues through the creative arts.
WINNER:
The Half Of It by MOMMO

Next Stage Wild Card Award
Dublin Fringe Festival awards a bursary to an artist who has been part of the festival, enabling them to participate in the Next Stage – an artist development programme run by Dublin Theatre Festival in partnership with Theatre Forum.
WINNER:
Hilary Woods for NINE

Bewley’s Cafe Theatre ‘Little Gem’ Award
Bewley’s Café Theatre is Ireland’s foremost presenter of lunchtime theatre and is delighted and proud to continue to sponsor the Bewley’s Café Theatre ‘Little Gem’ Award for the most exciting show presented at this year’s Dublin Fringe Festival under 60 minutes.
WINNER:
The Woods and Grandma by Dead Lady Productions

Our latest cover star Xnthony was also nominated for this Award with The Power of Wow.

Georganne Aldrich Heller Award
A standout Irish artist or company that demonstrates innovation and connects with audiences. Part bursary, part investment, the award supports an Irish artist to connect with the New York theatre scene.
WINNER: 
Everything Not Saved by Malaprop

Spirit of Wit Award
A unique award for an artist willing to take risks and whose work defies categorization with bold and unconventional material. In memory of Moira Brady Averill.
WINNER: 
Deadline by Conor O’Toole

Spirit of the Fringe, Spirit of Project Award
Co-presented by Dublin Fringe Festival and Project Arts Centre. An Irish artist dedicated to making bold contemporary work and who embodies the spirit of Fringe and Project.
WINNER: 
Fully Automated Luxury Gender Oasis by Trans Live Art Salon. You can read more about Fully Automated Luxury Gender Oasis in our latest issue.

And finally

Best Production Award
Presented by Dublin Fringe Festival to the show, production or event that has it all, displaying excellence in every area of production, design, performance, concept and execution.
WINNER:
NOT AT HOME by Emma Fraser (NINE CROWS) & Grace Dyas (THEATREclub)

Farewell Kris

After four incredible years as Artistic Director of Dublin Fringe Festival, Kris Nelson will depart to pursue a new career as Artistic Director at LIFT Festival.

The GCN team would like to wish him the very best of luck for the future.

Did you watch any of the shows? Which was your favourite? Let us know in the comments.