Mera: A Short Documentary
On 4th April 2018, Manx harpist Mera Royle won the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award. This is her story.
Manx musician Mera Royle started playing the harp when she was only nine. Another nine years later, she was collecting the Young Folk Award at BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards ceremony in Belfast.
This film explores Mera’s journey with music, from playing the penny whistle as a child, to harp playing in young Manx folk band Scran, to winning the award and beyond.
Mera’s music is part of the Manx folk and traditional music scenes which has grown significantly over the past decade. Hear from Dr Breesha Maddrell of Culture Vannin, an organisation with Manx
culture at its heart, and Rachel Hair, Mera’s harp teacher of eight years, about how Manx folk music has grown and the significance of Mera’s contributions.
Produced by Dark Avenue Film with support by I-Cap Marine.
Directed by Patrick Crellin and Bethany White
Director of Photography and Editor - Patrick Crellin
Sound and Post-Production sound mixing - Bethany White
Camera assistant - Jordan Perry
Drone Footage by Charles Guard and Glenn Whorrall
Photos from Awards by Phil Carter
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