Set and shot on location in Derry, Dance Lexie Dance is a heart-warming short film that achieved a nod for Best Live Action Short Film at the 70th Academy Awards in 1998.
The film features the late B.J. Hogg as a working-class Protestant widower, Lexie, who is initially reluctant when his young daughter expresses an interest in Irish dancing, following the Riverdance craze that swept the country. It is a tale of love, loss, acceptance and culture all woven together in an impactful, charming and sensitively observed film.
Going from a cold few days’ filming in Derry in April to the Oscars was not what the film’s creators expected. In an Irish Times interview given at the time, writer Dave Duggan admitted, 'At first I didn't believe [the film was nominated]. I thought it was a wind-up.'
The film also brought attention to the talents of Director Tim Loane and Producer and Nerve Centre CEO Pearse Moore, putting Northern Ireland on the world’s stage as a place where creativity and culture thrives.
Looking back at the film's impact after 25 years, Pearse Moore commented, 'Lexie was transformative for the Nerve Centre. Our motivation for making the film was to give our film students industry experience. It became an international success, showcasing our local creative industries on the international stage and Nerve Centre as a key cultural hub.'
As for attending the Oscars® ceremony in Los Angeles? That was 'just the cherry on top'.
For the first time, Dance Lexie Dance is being made available to watch online. Don’t miss your chance to see this touching short film.