Tributes have been paid to a filmmaker from Northern Ireland who has died after a long battle with illness.
Derry man Tom Collins, who had been producing and directing award-winning feature films and documentaries since Hush-a-Bye Baby in 1988, died peacefully after being diagnosed with cancer.
During his career he had the unprecedented distinction of being twice nominated as Ireland's Entry for Best Foreign Language Film at The Academy Awards for his films Kings and The Gift and An Bronntanas in 2014.
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He produced and directed over 13 documentaries and feature films, many filmed in Derry and Donegal including Hush-a-Bye Baby, Bogwoman, Dead Long Enough, Teenage Kicks -The Undertones, Penance and The Boys of St Columb’s helping to put Derry on the film making map.
Many of these were screened at the annual Foyle Film Festival in the city. The writer and director worked closely with the Nerve Centre, producing an animated adaptation of "The Poor Mouth" which was nominated for an Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) award and won Best First Animation at the Galway Film Fleadh, Best Animation at the 30th Foyle Film Festival, and Best Animation at the Celtic Film and TV Awards.
In 2015, the Derry man was also awarded the prestigious Life Time Achievement award by the Directors Guild of Ireland for his "Outstanding contribution to Irish Filmmaking”.
Pearse Moore, Nerve Centre Chief Executive said: "Tom was a very close friend and professional colleague who we had the privilege of working with on a number of projects.
"We are devastated to hear of his passing, both personally and professionally, as his passing will be a huge loss to the filmmaking community in Ireland. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.“
News of Mr Collins' death has caused an outpouring of grief and shock within the local community. One wrote: "So sorry to hear Tom has passed. Such a lovely man. Prayers for the family. RIP Tom."
A second said: "Very sad to hear this. RIP Tom. Worked with Tommy on my very first feature film as a trainee. He was such a lovely man!"
Meanwhile, a third added: "Such a shock. I didn't even know he was unwell. So sad. Such an irascible creative adventurer who was always entertaining to encounter on his travels."
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