Light House Cinema Launch – 8th May 2008

Dublin Light House Cinema reopened its doors in Smithfield on the evening of Thursday May 8th. During the evening over 600 well-wishers and loyal cinema-goers welcomed the return of the iconic cinema and were invited to view a film of their choice in one of the cinema's four cinema screens.

During the evening the co-directors of Light House Cinema, Neil Connolly and Maretta Dillon, commented, ‘We have a serious cultural agenda, which garnered the support from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board. What drives our agenda and our ambitions is a belief in the power of cinema to make a difference to people's lives – a belief that cinema can act as a vehicle for exploring the world of the imagination and of dreams but also the real world, the social and political world in which we have the capacity to be a civilised and civilising influence.’ They stressed that the mandate of the cinema was still the same as that when the venue was previously located in Abbey Street. The Light House team remains committed to providing a wide range of cultural cinema including arthouse, independent, and quality mainstream releases along with films that will reflect Dublin's vibrant and ever-evolving multi-cultural society.

Light House Cinema is custom-built with investment from developers Fusano Properties Ltd and grants from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and the Cultural Cinema Consortium (a joint initiative of the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board). Light House at Smithfield houses four screens, as well as a café/bar, which will be an integral part of the ambience of the venue. There is other ancillary space that will be used for community and outreach projects.  

The cinema opens to the public on Friday, May 9th, when it will screen John Sayles’ Honeydripper and the highly acclaimed XXY, along with a welcome second chance for audiences to see The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, My Brother is an Only Child, Happy-Go-Lucky and the Academy award-winning Once, starring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova and directed by John Carney.

Bookings and further information are available at www.lighthousecinema.ie

Back to top

IFI Announces New Head of Marketing & Communications– 7th May 2008

The IFI has announced that Ross Keane will join the IFI team as Head of Marketing & Communications.
 
Ross Keane has experience in marketing and communications, and has worked with a number of organisations both at home and abroad. He was the Director of Marketing and Development at the Dublin Theatre Festival since 2002, where he saw the festival's box office break the €1 million mark in 2007. Prior to his work at the festival, Ross established the sponsorship department within the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority in Australia, and was responsible for delivering marketing campaigns for numerous events in the City's free entertainment programme. Ross also launched the GAA Museum at Croke Park, and was the Sales and Marketing Manager for Croke Park's non-match day activities.

Back to top

Eugene O'Brien's Eden Wins Best Actress at Tribeca – 6th May 2008

Irish actress Eileen Walsh has won the Best Actress award at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York for her role in the Irish film Eden. The film, based on Eugene O'Brien's play of the same name and directed by Declan Recks, received its premiere at this year's Dublin International Film Festival.

It was broadcast on RTÉ One television on St Patrick's Night, where it drew over 420,000 viewers. Eden was partly financed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland Sound and Vision funding scheme.

Michael O'Keeffe, Chief Executive of the BCI, spoke of Eden's success saying: 'The BCI is delighted to be associated with the production of Eden as a result of funding from Sound and Vision. One of the key successes of this unique funding scheme has been the development of truly innovative programmes. The level of engagement with Sound and Vision over the past year has been overwhelmingly positive. It's reassuring for the scheme to have work that we funded to be winning awards on an international stage. Congratulations to all involved.'

Sound and Vision is a grant scheme designed to support the production of new television and radio programmes in Irish or English in the areas of Irish culture, heritage and experience and adult literacy. The scheme is the result of the Broadcasting (Funding) Act, 2003 and is funded by 5% of the television licence fee.

Back to top

'Cutaways' Photo Exhibition – 6th May 2008

Marc-Ivan O'Gorman, filmmaker and visual artist, presents an exhibition of images from Dublin and Delhi entitled 'Cutaways' at Filmbase, Curved Street, Temple Bar, 7–11 May (reception on Tuesday 6th May at 6 pm).

Marc-Ivan has recently divided his time between the Irish and Indian capitals and during this time he was struck by the commonality of the urban experience regardless of line of longitude; the traffic, the construction, the advertising, the mass transit, and various roadside phenomena. Though culturally very different, both countries share a British colonial past and spectacularly transformed economic present. Marc-Ivan's filmmaking background reflects in how he juxtaposes the imagery from both places, highlighting the similarities and contrasts in the two environments.

His previous work includes the award-winning experimental films Eye-con and Other and 35 mm feature film The Black Magic set in Los Angeles, California and Bangkok, Thailand. For examples of this work go to www.cleverality.com

'Cutaways' is a slightly abridged version of the 'Long Shots & Cutaways' event that exhibited in The Mint Gallery in New Delhi in February of this year. To see images from that exhibition please go to the gallery website: www.themint.in/exb.php

This project was made possible thanks to an Arts Council of Ireland travel and mobility bursary.

Back to top

Q&A with Director Morgan Spurlock in Cineworld – 6th May 2008

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, director of Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?, will be doing a Q&A this Saturday, 10th May, at 3.10pm in Cineworld, Dublin.

With no military experience, knowledge or expertise, he sets off to do what the CIA, FBI and countless bounty hunters have failed to do: find the world’s most wanted man. Why take on such a seemingly impossible mission? Simple – he wants to make the world safe for his soon to be born child. But before he finds Osama Bin Laden, he first needs to learn where he came from, what makes him tick, and most importantly, what exactly created bin Laden to begin with.

Following Bin Laden's trail through some of the most dangerous places in the world, Spurlock encounters both the rational and the radical faces of the Middle East.

He interviews many people who embrace him on the streets and welcome him into their homes, often gaining impressions that sharply contrast with the conventional media images of the region. Spurlock finds they're not that different from American families, sharing the same hopes and fears for their children that he has for his own.

In a world where we are constantly being told that we're on the verge of the ultimate showdown between good and evil, Spurlock risks life and limb to uncover the truth about Osama Bin Laden. But along the way, he discovers the lines that divide us aren't nearly as black and white as the heroes and villains we see in the Westerns.

Tickets are available from www.cineworld.ie and the cinema’s box office.

Back to top

Q&A with Director Morgan Spurlock in Cineworld – 6th May 2008

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, director of Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?, will be doing a Q&A this Saturday, 10th May, at 3.10pm in Cineworld, Dublin.

With no military experience, knowledge or expertise, he sets off to do what the CIA, FBI and countless bounty hunters have failed to do: find the world’s most wanted man. Why take on such a seemingly impossible mission? Simple – he wants to make the world safe for his soon to be born child. But before he finds Osama Bin Laden, he first needs to learn where he came from, what makes him tick, and most importantly, what exactly created bin Laden to begin with.

Following Bin Laden's trail through some of the most dangerous places in the world, Spurlock encounters both the rational and the radical faces of the Middle East.

He interviews many people who embrace him on the streets and welcome him into their homes, often gaining impressions that sharply contrast with the conventional media images of the region. Spurlock finds they're not that different from American families, sharing the same hopes and fears for their children that he has for his own.

In a world where we are constantly being told that we're on the verge of the ultimate showdown between good and evil, Spurlock risks life and limb to uncover the truth about Osama Bin Laden. But along the way, he discovers the lines that divide us aren't nearly as black and white as the heroes and villains we see in the Westerns.

Tickets are available from www.cineworld.ie and the cinema’s box office.

Back to top

Ireland’s First Ever Student Feature Film Six Semesters – 28th April 2008

After two years in the making, Six Semesters, Ireland's first ever student feature-length film, is ready for the big screen. Written and directed by recent Dublin City University (DCU) graduate John McKeown, the film premiered at a special screening at The Sugar Club, Leeson Street on 21st of April. It then took up a three-day residency at DCU from the 22nd to the 24th of April. The final screening of Six Semesters will take place at The Sugar Club, Leeson Street next Thursday, 1st May, at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m.

A romantic comedy set over three years of a college degree course, Six Semesters centres on Eddie (Dallan McCormick) and his unique, entrepreneurial part-time job – breaking up couples. However, his somewhat suspicious view of love and romance takes an interesting turn when Ailbhe (Marie-Claire Hoey), a girl he meets on the very first day of college, begins to feature heavily in his complicated life.

The film's completion marks the end of a marathon twenty-four months of non-stop writing, re-writing, organising, funding, auditioning, casting, shooting and editing. Shot almost exclusively on the DCU campus, Six Semesters was made possible through €12,000 of university funding. The majority of the cast and crew were in their final year of study in DCU during the film’s production, making the film a true labour of love.

For McKeown the biggest thrill will come when people not connected with the film in any way go to see it. ‘I think that's where the real buzz lies – people treating it as a proper movie, because I think it deserves that. The more people who see it, the more experience we get and the more we've learned from the whole process’.   

Back to top

Darklight Goes to the Grindhouse – 15th April 2008

The IFI are delighted to announce that Darklight, in association Horrorthon, will be presenting the first Irish screenings of Grindhouse in the Irish Film Institute on Saturday, 19th April at 2pm and Sunday, April 20th at 2pm 2008.

This will be the only Irish double feature cinema outing for Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's valiant attempt to revive the gory, glory days of the B-movie double-bill of Death Proof & Planet Terror. Presented as one full-length feature and designed to replicate the grindhouse theatre-going experience of the '70s and '80s, the two individual films are separately helmed by each director.

Death Proof is a rip-roaring slasher-flick where a psycho, named Stuntman Mike, pursues his victims with his car, while Planet Terror shows us a view of the world in the midst of a zombie outbreak, where a gun-legged woman named Cherry, and her martial arts-wielding partner, take on the zombie army. The films are joined together by clever faux trailers that recall the '50s exploitation drive-in classics.

To book, please call the IFI box office on 01 679 3477 or log onto www.ifi.ie

Back to top

Free AVID Workshops in Filmbase – 15th April 2008

As part of the Cinemagic Festival, Avid Technology Europe will be hosting a series of free workshops on Friday 25th April in Filmbase, Temple Bar, Dublin.

Each 40-minute session offers a quick-start guide to one of their industry-standard editing and production tools, Avid Media Composer. During these sessions you will cover colour correction, chroma keying, trimming, multicam and script based editing. Confused by whether to shoot in DV, SD, HD or Film? This workshop will answer your technical questions about short filmmaking.

Schedule:

11.00am - 11.40am – Session 1
12.00pm - 12.40pm – Session 2
1.00pm - 1.40pm – Session 3
2.00pm - 2.40pm – Session 4
3.00pm - 3.40pm – Session 5

Please note: Each Avid session (1-5) will cover the same information. Participants will only be able to book for 1 session.

To reserve a place email chris@cinemagic.org.uk stating your preferred session time, name, age and contact details.

Back to top

Tiger's Eye Festival 2008 – 28th March 2008

The film festival, supported by the Ulster Bank Enablement Fund and UL Arts Office will take place 31st March–2nd April in and around the campus environs. Mainstream Irish film short films, Fresh Film Festival award winners and shorts by graduates and undergraduates in multi-media programmes in UL and Limerick School of Art and Design will feature. There will also be a lecture/demonstration by the renowned Foley artist Caoimhe Doyle who will illustrate scene by scene how sound effects are achieved. Weather permitting, a surprise film will be screened in the Students Union Courtyard. The Festival itself will be launched at 6pm in Plassey House by Pat Shortt followed by a unique screening of Garage and Once in the Cinemobile.
 
Full festival programme and information is available here. www.tigerseye.ul.ie

Back to top

Stand Up and Be Counted – 28th March 2008

Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board (IFB) is embarking on a new landmark strategic plan for the audio visual content production industry, which is set to provide a basis for future planning.

Collaborating with all sectors of the industry, the process for this plan will involve in the first instance a census of the industry followed by an extensive consultation process, to put in place a strategy for the future.

The IFB is looking for every person and company working within the whole audio visual content production industry to participate in an audio visual industry census. This includes writers, producers, directors, screen talent, crew, animators, film and TV production companies and studios, commercial and corporate video production companies, post-production companies, audio studios, service providers and digital media content production companies, so that the results will be as accurate as possible.

'Making this census complete and accurate will be of enormous benefit to every individual and company working in the audio visual content production sector. Whether it be the licence fee, tax incentive, or direct funding through the Department of Arts Sport and Tourism, the role of State funding is central to the audio visual economy', said James Morris, Chairman, IFB.

'This census will provide an economic profile of the sector that will ensure it remains a priority for Government policy makers and will also provide a basis for planning the future growth and support of the sector', he added.

The independent census, which will be conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), will establish the entire size, character and value of the audio visual content production sector. This is the first census of its kind to be conducted to such an extent in the industry. The census will produce concrete facts and figures which will provide a valuable insight and gauge the current value of the industry.

The census will be launched officially on April 1st and questionnaires will be distributed by email to all those who have registered for the census in early April. To ensure the independence and confidentially of the survey, all information supplied will be completely confidential, will not be disclosed to the Irish Film Board and will only be used by PwC to complete this research. The final report will be published and sent to all those who participated in the census.

To participate in the Audio Visual Industry Census – visit www.irishfilmboard.ie and register your details

Back to top

In Bruges Ireland's No. 1 Film – 12th March 2008

In Bruges has given Colin Farrell the biggest Irish opening of his career in Ireland – beating Minority Report, Alexander, Miami Vice, Daredevil, and The Recruit.
.
Released at 70 theatres across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, the film grossed €456,176 over the weekend (cinema average: €6,516). This opening weekend positions In Bruges at no. 1 in the weekend’s Top 10 ahead of Vantage Point at no. 2 with an opening weekend gross of €227,000 and There Will Be Blood at no. 3 with a second weekend gross of €135,000.

In Bruges is aUniversal Pictures International, Focus Features and FilmFour film, directed and written by Martin McDonagh, starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes and Clémence Poésy. The film is produced by Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin and executive produced by Tessa Ross, Jeff Abberley and Julia Blackman.

In Bruges was released by Universal Pictures International Ireland across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland on Friday 7th March 2008.

Back to top

Darklight Accepting Submissions for 2008 – 11th March 2008

The Darklight festival (26–29 June) explores the convergence of art, film, and technology and focuses on work that challenges concepts, visual aesthetic, narrative, access, methods of production, and dialogue, through contemporary film-making techniques. The festival supports and encourages work that pushes technological boundaries and displays creative excellence, aiming to nurture new talent and to create bold new possibilities for the imagination. Eligible for entry are feature films, documentary, all CG animation, Flash, 3D etc., experimental video works, music videos, commercial work, motion graphics, game sequences, DV live-action shorts and student work. There are no restrictions on genre, length or number of submitted works.

In addition, the Irish Film Board's new Virtual Cinema scheme’s chosen projects will premiere at this year's Darklight Festival: http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/programmes.php?id=75

For further details on how to apply or to buy the Darklight Compendium DVD, visit the Darklight website: www.darklight.ie

Deadline for submissions is 14th March 2008.

Back to top

Be Kind Rewind ‘Sweding’ Competition Winner – 11th March 2008

The winner of the Irish Be Kind Rewind ‘sweded’ film competition is Conor Steenson for his version of Once. Conor’s film was the unanimous winner chosen by a panel of judges and can be viewed on YouTube with the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN2y2wBSQDU
 
To celebrate the release of Michel Gondry’s film, Be Kind Rewind, upcoming film-makers were asked to make their own Irish ‘sweded’ movie. Using Irish or Irish-themed films as inspiration, short movies (no more than two minutes in length) were in with the chance to win amazing prizes sponsored by Channel 6, Filmbase, Darklight Festival and the Irish Film Board.  For further details, please log on to www.bekindrewind.ie
 
When Jerry (Black) becomes magnetized while trying to sabotage the power plant that he believes is melting his brain, he accidentally erases all the tapes in the old-fashioned video store where his best friend Mike (Mos Def) works. To keep the few customers happy, Jerry and Mike decide to remake one of the erased movies in Jerry’s junkyard. To their astonishment, their unique version of the movie is a hit. Mike, Jerry, and soon, friends from the neighbourhood are in full-time production, re-making movies, from Ghostbusters to King Kong, and in the end revitalize not only the business but the entire community.
 
Be Kind Rewind was released in cinemas across Ireland on 22nd February.

Back to top

America's TVI Actors Studio in Dublin – 6th March 2008

TVI Actors Studio, America’s largest acting school and resource center for actors is coming to Dublin to teach actors to market themselves in America. The Acclaimed 'Business of Acting in the America – An International Actors Guide to Working in New York and Los Angeles,' a multi-media interactive presentation taught by Alan Nusbaum, the founder and CEO of TVI Actors Studio, will be presented in Dublin on Sunday, April 6, 2008.

Mr. Nusbaum created TVI after a career as a talent agent representing both Hollywood and New York actors including Sandra Bullock, Courtney Cox, Jerry Orbach and Tonya Pinkens. 'There was a clear need for actors to learn how to manage their careers.  I encourage actors to treat an acting career like a business and market themselves where the work exists', states Nusbaum, who also writes a daily blog at www.actor-preneur.com.

Class information:
Date & Time: Sunday, 6 Apri, 12:00 noon – 16:00 pm (registration at 11:30 am)
Location: Filmbase, Curved Street Building, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.
General Admission: 45 €

To register and for additional information visit http://www.tvieu.com/dublin/

About TVI: TVI Actors Studio, www.tvistudios.com, founded by CEO and former talent agent, Alan S. Nusbaum, is the U.S.’s largest resource center for actors offering continued dramatic instruction, entertainment industry networking, professional career consultation and marketing support for actors.  With studios in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, programs throughout the year in an expanding network of US cities, London and Sidney, and an international presence in Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, TVI has truly set the industry standard for merging traditional actor training with the realities of the business. The TVI staff and faculty of more than a hundred industry professionals is dedicated to empowering the actor with a defined career strategy to maximize potential as well as refine the actor’s craft.

Back to top

Light House Cinema to Re-open on May 9th – 6th March 2008

The Light House Cinema has officially confirmed May 9th as the date for the re-opening of the venue at the new location in Smithfield Square, Dublin. The eagerly awaited re-opening comes following an extended 'intermission' – the Light House, in its previous incarnation, closed in Abbey Street in 1996. The Light House Cinema team of Neil Connolly and Maretta Dillon continue to be committed to ambitious and adventurous programming, and the new four-screen cinema will act as a cultural hub for the Smithfield area.
 
Custom-built with investment from developers Fusano Properties Ltd. and grants from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and the Cultural Cinema Consortium – a joint initiative of the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board – Light House at Smithfield houses four screens, as well as a café/bar which will be an integral part of the ambience of the venue. There will be other ancillary space which will be used for community and outreach projects.  
 
The total capacity is 614 seats, with seating configuration as follows: Screen One: 277 seats; Screen Two: 153 seats; Screen Three: 116 seats; and Screen Four: 68 seats. The four screens will allow for enormous flexibility in terms of programming, delivering a greater choice and diversity of films to invigorate the cultural cinema landscape in Ireland.
 
The cinema was designed by award winning practice DTA Architects and features stunning, imaginative architecture, making Light House at Smithfield the most unique of cinema spaces. Architect Colin Mackay adds, 'The organisation and distribution of screens will allow patrons to walk over, under and around the forms, affording an alternative and dramatic cinema experience.'
 
'We are thrilled to announce the re-opening of the Light House cinema in Smithfield, and are as committed as ever to providing a wide range of cultural cinema, including a mix of arthouse, independent, and quality mainstream releases, to the ever-increasing Dublin cinema-going audience', said Maretta Dillon, co-founder of the Light House.

'Our programming choices will be mindful of Dublin’s burgeoning multi-cultural society, and we will routinely present films from around the world which will engender a climate of understanding and respect for other cultures. But it’s not just what you will see on the screen that is crucial; it’s how you will experience it. We are committed to providing great service and a friendly surrounding that will appeal to ordinary cinema-goers and be accessible in a down-to-earth way', commented Neil Connolly, Light House co-founder.

The full range of films opening at the cinema on May 9th will be announced in the coming weeks. 

www.lighthousecinema.ie

Back to top

Once Wins Oscar for Best Song – 25th February 2008

The Irish film Once has scooped the Academy Award® for Best Original Song and Daniel Day Lewis has won the Award for Best Actor at the 80th Annual Academy Awards last night.

The award winning song 'Falling Slowly' written by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová went up against three songs from the Disney hit film Enchanted and one song from August Rush directed by Kirsten Sheridan.

Once stars Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová in the leading roles and is a modern-day musical set on the streets of Dublin telling the story of a busker and an immigrant, who fall in love over an eventful week, as they write, rehearse and records a number of songs.

This is the second major award for the film this weekend, as Once also claimed the coveted prize of Best Foreign Film at the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday night.

Simon Perry, Chief Executive, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board said 'America and the Academy already smiled warmly on Irish talents with five nominations, but for Once to actually win is a mark of recognition like no other - particularly for a film made with no pretensions. Both this award and the fitting Independent Spirit award finish what has been as astounding year for a small Irish film.'

Oscar winner Markéta Irglová said 'This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, Fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up. This song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are.'

Produced by Samson Films with funding from Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board, Once has already won a host of awards over the past year and charmed audiences around the world, selling in almost every territory.

Back to top

Docs in Thessaloniki Announces Documentary Selection – 23rd February 2008

The international documentary pitching session Docs in Thessaloniki has announced the selection of 21 new international projects. The 21 selected documentary projects will be developed, rewritten and then pitched. Organized by the European Documentary Network (EDN) and with a tutor team and many financiers, the event takes place on March 12-16 in Thessaloniki, Greece.

In a combination of workshop and informative seminar sessions, Docs in Thessaloniki forms a frame for development of documentary projects and updates on the latest developments on the international documentary market. The pitching session concludes with all projects being pitched to a panel of commissioning editors from leading international co-production broadcasters.

For more information visit the website: www.edn.dk or the link www.edn.dk/art.lasso?-token.skip=&na=200404&ndd=817

Back to top

Mel Gibson to Receive the Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award at IFTA – 14th February 2008

The Irish Film and Television Academy is to announce producer/director/actor Mel Gibson as the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award at the 5th Annual Irish Film and Television Awards, taking place in Dublin's Gaiety Theatre on the 17th of February 2008.

In its 5th year, the IFTA will present the award to Mr Gibson who will be attending the ceremony in the Gaiety Theatre.

With a career that spans over three decades, Mel Gibson has starred in over 48 film and television productions. He is the co-founder of Icon Productions and, since his directorial debut in 1993, he has become one of the industry's most successful filmmakers.

Back to top

Stuart Townsend and Charlize Theron to attend DIFF – 14th February 2008

Stuart Townsend and Charlize Theron will visit Dublin this February to attend the screening of Townsend's film Battle in Seattle. Written and directed by Townsend, Battle in Seattle tells the true story of the World Trade Organization protests in Seattle in 1999. The film will be screened at The Savoy, O'Connell St at 11am, Saturday 16th February and will be followed by a post screening discussion.

Battle in Seattle is the film debut by Townsend, exploring the line where protests become riots, through real footage and performances that bring to life the event that crystallized globalization as a world issue. Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson and Ray Liotta also star.

The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival takes place from the 15–24 February. Tickets are available online from the website www.dubliniff.com and from the festival Box Office in Filmbase, Curved Street, Temple Bar – 01 672 8861.

Back to top

INSIGHT OUT Symposium for Digital Production – 14th February 2008

Now in its fourth year, the INSIGHT OUT/HFF academy takes place from the10–15 March 2008 at the Hochschule für Film und Fernsehen (HFF), 'Konrad Wolf' Potsdam-Babelsberg, Germany.

Many renowned lecturers from the international film production scene will address participants from Europe, the Southern Mediterranean and Asia. INSIGHT OUT is a platform for networking and knowledge exchange in all fields of digital film production for cinema and HDTV. This year's main focus will be digital work flow and digital acquisition.

The INSIGHT OUT programme aims to provide filmmakers with a sound understanding and practical experience in order to be able to decide for or against digital production methods for their next production. The technical advances will be presented and will be available for hands-on experience. Participants will get the opportunity to look over the shoulders of international experts at work and make valuable contacts for their next film projects.

For more information visit: www.insightout-training.net/cms/

Back to top

Oscar-nominated Producer Jon Kilik at the IFI – 7th February 2008

Tomorrow Friday 8th February, leading film producer Jon Kilik will give a talk following the opening screening of his latest film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly at 1.30pm. Mr Kilik will discuss his role as the producer of The Diving Bell... and take questions from the audience on his career. 

Based on the book by Jean-Dominique Bauby and directed by Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly recounts a story of how the French editor of Elle suffered a stroke at a young age, and was only able to move one eye lid. As Bauby refuses to submit to despair, something remarkable happens: he discovers that emotions and memories – the very stuff of life – are still abuzz in his head, so he writes his memoir, signalling each individual letter by a certain number of blinks.

Nominated for an Oscar for Gonzalez Iñarritu's Babel last year, and a BAFTA this year for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Jon Kilik is the producer of the films of Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, Clockers, Girl 6, He Got Game, Summer of Sam, Bamboozled, 25th Hour, Inside Man), Robert de Niro (A Bronx Tale), Robert Altman (Prêt-à-Porter), Tim Robbins (Dead Man Walking, Cradle Will Rock), Ed Harris (Pollock), Oliver Stone (Alexander), Jim Jarmusch (Broken Flowers) and of course Julian Schnabel (Basquiat, Before Night Falls, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly).

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly opens exclusively at the 8th IFI February.
IFI Box Office: 01 679 3477; Online bookings: www.ifibooking.ie

Back to top

An Alphabet of the Cinema Ñ: Spanish Film in Dublin – 7th February 2008

Last night Polígono Sur (The Three Thousand), a documentary that seeks to find the root of the so-called 'new flamenco', opened An Alphabet of the Cinema Ñ; a series of Spanish film screenings at the Instituto Cervantes in Dublin. This cinema season ensures a complete representation of Spanish cinema through the work of both established directors and new talents. Those who wish to practice their Spanish will benefit from hearing the language as it is spoken in different regions in Spain.

Programme for February – Directors starting with A:
6th Feb: Polígono Sur (The Three Thousand) by Dominic Abel
13th Feb: Los otros (The Others) by Alejandro Amenábar
20th Feb: Carne trémula (Live Flesh) by Pedro Almodóvar
27th Feb: El tren de la memoria (Memory Train) by Marta Arribas and Ana Pérez

The screenings are free and will take place every Wednesday at 6.30 p.m. at the Instituto Cervantes, Lincoln House, Dublin 2.

Back to top

Film Ireland's 'Sexiest Irish Film' Nora to Screen at the IFI on Valentine's Day – 1st February 2008

The Irish Film Archive at the IFI will be hosting a special screening of Nora on Valentine's Day. This film was chosen for its powerful love story and for the fact that it was voted the 'sexiest Irish film ever' in the recent survey on sex in Irish cinema run by Film Ireland (the results of which are available in the current issue of the magazine).    
 
To celebrate this, Filmbase, in association with the IFI, are offering Filmbase members and Film Ireland subscribers a chance to win two tickets to the screening.

All you have to do is answer the following question and email it to editor@filmbase.ie, along with your name, by the 8th of February.

Q. What sexy Irish star is featured on the cover of the latest issue (Jan/Feb) of Film Ireland magazine?

Nora screens at 6.30pm at the IFI on Thursday 14th February.

Back to top

The Pint and a Picture Film Club – 1st February 2008

Russells of Ranelagh and Ranelagh Arts Festival 2008 would like to introduce The Pint and a Picture Film Club on Monday nights, starting February 4th. The festival will be a season of outstanding films in an informal atmosphere. Each feature will be preceded by a selection of Irish shorts, curated by Howard Linnane, and will be shown on the Big Screen upstairs in Russells. Admission is free.
 
The programme is as follows:
1. Virgin Suicides – Sofia Coppola (1999) Monday 4th February 8pm
2. The Magic Flute – Ingmar Bergman (1975) Monday 11th February 8pm
3. The Son’s Room – Nanni Moretti (2001) Monday 18th February 8pm
4. Shadow of a Doubt – Alfred Hitchcock (1943) Monday 25th February 8pm
5. Stardust Memories – Woody Allen (1980) Monday 3rd March 8pm
6. Laura – Otto Preminger (1944) Monday 10th March 8pm
7. Mystery Train – Jim Jarmusch (1989) Monday 24th March 8pm
(No show St. Patrick’s week.)
 
The Pint and a Picture Film Club is in association with the Ranelagh Arts Festival which will take place at the end of September. The February/March season is the first of several which are planned for the rest of the year.

Back to top

Be Kind Rewind ‘Sweding’ Competition – 1st February 2008

To celebrate the release of Michel Gondry’s new film, Be Kind Rewind, starring Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover and Mia Farrow, the Irish film-loving public are invited to make their own Irish ‘sweded’ movie! To enter the competition, simply make a short movie (no more than 2 minutes) inspired by your favourite Irish or Irish-themed film. Amazing prizes sponsored by Channel 6, Filmbase, Darklight Festival and the Irish Film Board are all up for grabs. For further details, please log on to www.bekindrewind.ie
 
Be Kind Rewind, rated 12A, will be released in cinemas across Ireland on 22nd February with paid previews on 20th and 21st February.

Back to top

Call for Entries for Ischia Film Festival, 22–29 June 2008 – 1st February 2008

The sixth Ischia Film Location Festival, the international film competition for feature films, documentaries and short films will take place in the last week of June on the volcanic island of Ischia, off the coast of Italy.
 
The Film Location Festival, the only one of its kind in Europe, was launched in 2003 to award artistic recognition to the producers, directors, directors of photography and art directors of full length feature films, shorts, and documentaries who have most creatively featured ‘locations’–in Italy or abroad–representing their human, historical and social reality, promoting awareness of their culture, tradition and natural beauty, and thereby enhancing audience desire to visit these locations and experience firsthand some of the emotions conveyed by the film.
 
Members of the Festival’s honour Committee are Vittorio Storaro, the master of cinematography; Carlo Rambaldi, the world-reknowned wizard of special effects; Sir Ken Adam, art director, twice Oscar award winner and Stanly Kubrick’s favourite collaborator; Osvaldo Desideri, the art director; Alan Lee, the conceptual designer of The Lord of the Rings and the directors Mario Monicelli, Carlo Lizzani and Krzysztof Zanussi.
 
Deadline for entries is 15th April, 2008. Please click here for further details.

Back to top

Polishfilmclub.com Launches this February – 31st January 2008

Polishfilmclub.com (PFC) sponsored by Permanent TSB is a twelve-month tour of Polish films around Ireland. A different Polish title will be screened every month at a range of locations including Dublin, Cork, Cavan, Naas, Limerick, Sligo, Galway, Waterford, Arklow, Monaghan, Cavan, Dundalk, Dun Laoighaire, Portlaoise, Athlone and Mullingar. The tour kicks off on Monday, 4th February at 8pm with a screening of The Collector (Komornik) in Cineworld, Dublin followed by screenings in Storm Portlaoise on the  5th at 8pm, Eye in Galway on the 12th at 8pm and Gate in Cork on the 7th at 7pm.

Tickets are available from www.polishfilmclub.com and the cinema’s box office.

However, PFC is much more than a tour of Polish films. By logging on to www.polishfilmclub.com you can find everything you need to know about Polish film which will include news, reviews, trailers, competitions and much more. There will be monthly newsletters for our members who will also be able to post their own comments and reviews and vote for the films they wish to see.

In addition to this, Polishfilmclub.com is sponsoring the Polish Season at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival. The highlight of this season will be the PFC Polish Gala screening of Katyn at Cineworld on Sunday, 17th February at 8.30pm. The screening will be attended by the film’s star Danuta Stenka and preceded by a reception, hosted by the Polish Embassy to launch the Polishfilmclub.com

Tickets available from box office and www.dubliniff.com 

Polishishfilmclub.com is supported by Permanent TSB and Polski Express, Metoo.ie, Polish Film Institute, the Irish Film Board, The Polish Bakery and the Polish Embassy.
 
Back to top

New Media Screenwriting Workshop in Belfast – 29th January 2008

Campbell Ryan Film productions in association with Northern Ireland Screen will be hosting a new workshop for writers to get their new media work onscreen. This a fascinating opportunity to learn about this rapidly evolving medium from one of the acknowledged global experts.
 
The course’s tutor is Nuno Bernardo, the manager of beActive Produções Interactivas. Nuno is considered a leading world expert in New Media and has given seminars at Venice Digitale, MIPCOM France and BAFTA London and is the creator of the format Sofia’s Diary. This TV series and interactive concept explores modern Pop culture and European teen culture and is pioneering the mix of traditional media like TV, books and feature films with new media such as Internet, internet social networking sites and mobile phones.
 
Sony Pictures and Entertainment (USA) bought the worldwide rights to this series in 2006 and versions of the show are now in Brazil, Portugal, France, Germany, UK, Korea and North America with the UK version of the series due to start shortly. The series was also nominated in 2004 for an Innovation Award at the Mobile Entertainment Forum in London and at the 2007 MIPCOM Mobile TV awards in France.
 
The workshop is split into stages over 2 days. At the end of the first workshop day, those writers who are interested in developing their own New Media project and also the possibility of working with Campbell Ryan Productions will need to leave their contact details at the seminar. These writers will be given the chance to pitch their ideas in the final part of the workshop the next day.

Campbell Ryan Productions needs new individual writers for an upcoming new media production series so it is a good opportunity to show off your skills!
 
The workshop will take place in the QFT (Queen’s Film Theatre) in Belfast on the 9th & 10th of February. To register to attend this free New Media Writing workshop please contact Anne Quinn at Northern Ireland Screen at anne@northernirelandscreen.co.uk before Wednesday 6th February. Places are limited and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
 
Back to top

New Vice President for Brown Bag Films – 24th January 2008

Brown Bag Films, the award-winning animation studio, has announced that Alan Gregg, former VP of the kids division at Alliance Atlantis, has joined Brown Bag Films as Vice President, International Production. Working closely with Director of Development, Gerald Murphy, Gregg will oversee the expansion of the company’s development slate in both television and feature films with an emphasis on pre-school, family and teen properties. He reports to Cathal Gaffney, Managing Director, and will be working out of the newly-opened Toronto office.
 
A veteran of the children’s business in Canada, Gregg joined Alliance Atlantis from top Canadian kidcaster, YTV, in early 2000. There he was instrumental in shaping the kids' production/distribution division and oversaw the creative development  of numerous properties, both animated and live action, including Henry’s World, Ace Lightning, Dragon Booster and, most recently, Lunar Jim. In 2005, he was promoted to Vice President, Production & Distribution and took over responsibility for international sales of the kids’ library.

Established in 1994, Brown Bag Films are an animation studio producing high quality children's television programmes and television commercials for international markets. Recent projects include Crap Rap for RTÉ and Wobblyland for Nickelodeon UK/HIT Entertainment.

Located in the heart of Dublin city centre, in historical Smithfield Square, Brown Bag Films employ more than 50 animators, directors, designers and production staff working in a state of the art studio which incorporates the highest specification picture and audio post production facilities. The studio was designed by award-winning Douglas Wallace architects and was formally opened at its current location in July of 2007. Brown Bag Films have picked up numerous awards over the years and in 2002 were nominated for an Academy Award for their short film Give Up Yer Aul Sins.

Back to top

Manga+Anime Weekend in Dublin – 23rd January 2008

The Chester Beatty Library, one of Europe's premier specialist museums, will host a weekend of events exploring manga (Japanese comic books) and anime (Japanese animation). The activities will include several screenings and a range of talks, including one by noted manga specialist Paul Gravett.

The weekend at the start of February aims to be an annual celebration and discussion of both anime and manga. The idea is to appeal to a broad range of interests from the serious obsessives to the new recruits. The audience can simply come and check out the films on a large screen or may wish to attend the workshop or even involve themselves in discussions around the screenings.

The weekend runs in conjunction with the exhibition of Japanese woodblock prints by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. The main image on the poster for the Manga + Anime Weekend is one of Yoshitoshi's (used with the kind permission of The Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of New Mexico). 

Friday, 1st February*
6.00 pm: Screening of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
(Supported by Tiger Beer)

Saturday, 2nd February (11 am – 5 pm)*
11 am: Screening of Astro Boy
2.00 pm: Manga specialist Paul Gravett will present an illustrated
talk on the popularity of this medium
3.30 pm: Demonstration with manga artists, details to be confirmed

Sunday, 3rd February (11 am – 5 pm)*
11.30 am: Screening of Paprika
1.45 pm: Talk by Paul Watts: 'Surrealism in Anime'
3.30 pm: Screening of Angel’s Egg

*Booking is essential for all of these events due to limited places.

Please contact educationservices@cbl.ie or Tel: 01 407 0750.
Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.

Back to top

Call for Entries for The Accolade Competition – 23rd January 2008

Now in its sixth year, international awards competition, The Accolade, a non traditional, virtual venue, has announced its call for entries for moviemakers, television producers and videographers. Awards go to those filmmakers who produce fresh, standout entertainment, short and feature films, television productions, animation and compelling documentaries.

The Accolade is a showcase for cinematic gems and unique voices and receives entries from all over the world. Annually, a special award is given to a production that makes a significant contribution to social change or a humanitarian effort. The Accolade is an award recognized for its rigorous evaluation process by buyers and distributors and The Accolade team works passionately to help worthy productions gain the publicity and distribution they deserve.

Deadline: February 15, 2008

Go to www.TheAccolade.net for rules and entry form.

Back to top

The Pictures: A New Monthly Film Club for over 55’s – 23rd January 2008

Dublin City Council’s Arts Office and axis Ballymun, in association with the IFI and access>CINEMA, will launch The Pictures on January 28th. The first screening of the over 55s film club will be the classic comedy Some Like It Hot. The club will screen one film per month of all genres in axis arts and community resource centre, Ballymun.

The project follows the very successful response to the film screenings during the Bealtaine Festival and Ballymun Positive Ageing Week last year. The season will include, among other films: About Schmidt on Monday 18th February at 2.30pm and The Painted Veil on Monday 28th April at 2.30pm.

Seasonal membership costs are €2 plus €2 per film, non-members €4 per film.
Members are also invited to the axis Café for lunch prior to the films where there will be special events such as music, bingo and singalongs.
 
For further information please contact axis on 01 8832100 or Ann Marie Lyons, North West Area Arts Officer, Dublin City Council.Tel: (01) 222 7305 /email: annmarie.lyons@dublincity.ie

Back to top

An Irish Oscars? – 22nd January 2008

This year’s Oscars ceremony will prove more than usually interesting for Irish audiences as a number of Irish contenders are in the running for an award. Nominations include actress Saoirse Ronan for her supporting role in Atonement, cinematographer Seamus McGarvey for the same film, with Irish film Once and Kirsten Sheridan’s August Rush both receiving nominations in the Achievement in Music categories.
 
Ronan’s competition includes Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone), Cate Blanchett (I’m Not There), Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) and Ruby Dee (American Gangster).

The thirteen-year-old has already picked up a BAFTA nomination and a Golden Globe nomination for the same role.

Also in McGarvey’s category is Roger Deakins (The Assassination of Jesse James), Roger Deakins (No Country for Old Men), Robert Elswit (There Will Be Blood), and Janusz Kaminski (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly).

Once is nominated in Achievement in Music (Original Song) category for the song ‘Falling Slowly’, written and performed by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova and will in compete with three songs from the Disney live-action/animation Enchanted and one song from August Rush.  

The ceremony will take place at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Centre on Sunday February 25th, 2008.

Back to top

Call for Entries for 2nd NexT International Short and Medium Length Film Festival – 18th January 2008

Call for entries to this five-day festival from 7–13 April in Bucharest, Romania. Those interested should send narrative fiction films up to 60 mins (animation included, no documentaries), completed not earlier than January 1st 2006.

NexT comprises, besides the main competition and off-competition sections a series of seminars on directing, sound-design, film production & distribution, the transition from short film to feature length, which are offered free of charge to participants.
 
NexT intends to be a meeting point and a forum for young filmmakers around the world. The festival will cover accommodation and travel expenses for director/sound designer of the selected films.
 
NexT Trophy - €4,000
Best Director Award - €2,000
Best Soundtrack Award - €2,000
 
Deadline: 15th February 2008.

To enter, send a DVD PAL screener of your film to: Cultural Society NexT, 179 Traiam Str, 024043, Bucharest, Romania.
 
More information on www.nextproject.ro
 
If anyone is interested in entering but is having trouble sending their film in time please contact Ruth Parkin in the Embassy of Ireland in Bucharest at bucharestembassy@dfa.ie

Back to top

Filmbase Member's New Delhi Photo Event – 18th January 2008

Long-standing Filmbase member Marc-Ivan O'Gorman presents an exhibition of images from Dublin and Delhi entitled ' Long Shots and Cutaways' at The Mint Gallery, New Delhi, India, from 4–9 February.

Having divided his time recently between the Irish and Indian capitals he was struck by the commonality of the urban experience regardless of line of longitude; the traffic, the construction, the advertising, the mass transit, and various roadside phenomena. Though culturally very different, both countries share a British colonial past and booming global economic future. Marc-Ivan's filmmaking background comes through in the work as he juxtaposes the imagery from both places, highlighting the similarities as much as the contrasts in the two environments.

The exhibition 'Long Shots and Cutaways' is on view from 5th until 9th February 2008 from 11am to 7pm at The Mint Gallery E-3 West Wing, Defence Colony, Ring Road, New Delhi 110024. Telephone: +91 11 24334494/95.  Email: info@themint.in Web: www.themint.in

This event has been made possible thanks to the kind support of Jameson and The Embassy of Ireland. Marc-Ivan O'Gorman is currently in India on an Arts Council of Ireland travel and mobility bursary.

Back to top

Volunteer for the 6th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival – 16th January 2008

Over 10 days, JDIFF will host a number of the finest exponents of contemporary cinema and will be showing over 100 great Irish and international films. Running from the 15–24 of February 2008, the festival will be a fantastic opportunity to experience a major international film festival first hand and contribute to the success of Ireland’s biggest film event.

The festival is looking for enthusiastic people to fill various roles in: Venues, Administration & Production, Event Hospitality and Transportation.

As a charitable, not-for-profit event, the festival is only possible because of the support and dedication of their volunteers.

If you are 18 years or older and are interested, please download the volunteer form online at www.dubliniff.com or contact volunteers@dubliniff.com for more information.

The closing date for applications is 23rd January 2008.

Back to top

Docs in Thessaloniki: Call for Projects – 16th January 2008

There is only a few days left to submit your project for the international pitching forum and workshop Docs in Thessaloniki. Docs in Thessaloniki consists of a five-day programme, where 21 selected documentary projects will be developed, re-written and pitched. All participants will pitch their projects to a panel of 10-15 international financiers from leading broadcasters in the concluding two days of the session. This session is followed by individual meetings for in-depth discussions about further development and possible future collaboration.

Docs in Thessaloniki takes place on March 12-16, 2008 and the deadline for submitting your project is on 25th January 2008.
 
Click here for submission details

Docs in Thessaloniki is organized by EDN in collaboration with the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival-Images of the 21st Century. Docs in Thessaloniki is supported by MEDIA.

Back to top

Garage Awarded at the Turin Film Festival – 4th December 2007

Garage won the award for Best Feature Film at the prestigious 25th Turin Film Festival (italy) on Saturday 1st December, with a prize of €25,000. The film stars Irish comedian Pat Shortt and is directed by Lenny Abrahamson, written by Mark O’Halloran and produced by Ed Guiney for Element Pictures.
 
The award topped a very successful week for the film which last weekend picked four awards at various film festivals in France. These included the Jury Award in the Festival de Châtenay-Malabry, the Grand Prix and Prix des Etudiants at Festival Cinessonne, and the Best Actor Award at the Monte Carlo Film Festival for Pat Shortt’s ‘revelatory performance’ as Josie, the harmless misfit caretaker of a crumbling petrol station in a small town in mid-west Ireland.
 
Garage has been sold worldwide by MK2 and is coming to the end of a very successful release in Ireland. Releases scheduled for next year include France (January), UK (March), as well as Italy, Benelux, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Portugal among others.  

The 25th Turin Film Festival was held from 23rd November to 1st December and featured about 230 films. Garage was selected for the Torino 25 section of the festival which is dedicated to searching out and discovering new voices of contemporary cinema. Italian filmmaker Nanni Moretti directed the festival for the first time this year and the competition jury included such cinema greats as Robert Guédiguian, Aki Kaurismäki, Carlo Mazzacurati, Laura Pariani, André Téchiné and Jasmine Trinca.

Torino Film Festival website.

Back to top

Culture Ireland Seeks Commissioner for Venice Arts Biennale – 4th December 2007

Culture Ireland is seeking a Commissioner to shape, progress and project manage Ireland's representation at the prestigious Venice Arts Biennale in 2009. This is the first time such an office has been advertised and proposals are invited from individuals, groups or collectives. The role was initiated by Culture Ireland with the close support of the Arts Council, with a view to prominently positioning Ireland in Venice 2009.

The Arts Biennale is regarded as the world’s foremost visual arts showcase, which provides Irish artists with a unique opportunity to show their work on an international stage.

Full details of the process for potential Commissioners is available on www.cultureireland.gov.ie

Back to top

Special Screening of O'Donoghue's Opera at the IFI – 4th December 2007

The Irish Film Archive will be screening O’Donoghue’s Opera on 11th December at 7 p.m. in the Irish Film Institute, Dublin.

O'Donoghue's Opera is Ireland’s first musical film. A mock opera made in 1965 which ran into financial difficulties before it was properly completed—but has since gathered cult status.

Extraordinarily, it remained unseen until veteran filmmaker Tom Hayes brought the out-takes to Sé Merry Doyle who oversaw its painstakingly restoration around 10 years  ago.

The hilarious film stars Ronnie Drew and his band of bohemian merrymakers, The Dubliners. Based on the ballad 'The Night That Larry Was Stretched', sung by a young Johnny Moynihan, Drew finds himself caught in a hangman's noose as a reward for his dubious career as ‘the best burglar in all Ireland’.  
 
This tongue-in-cheek film has the flavour of an Irish Spaghetti Western and captures the spirit of Dublin camaraderie like no other work before or since: the Guinness, the music, the wit and the grit, it’s all there in abundance.

The original elements of this film are preserved at the Irish Film Archive.

Original Dubliners Ronnie Drew, Barney McKenna and John Sheehan will attend this screening and sign copies of their latest album. Brendan Gleeson will interview The Dubliners following the Screening.

For more information see www.irishfilm.ie

Back to top

Pat Shortt Awarded at the Monte Carlo Film Festival – 28th November 2007

Garage had a very successful weekend picking up 3 more awards with Pat Shortt leading the way winning best actor at the Monte Carlo Film Festival.
 
Continuing to succeed at the Irish box office, the film was in the Irish Top 10 for its first 4 weeks. This weekend it also picked up the Jury Award in Festival De Chatenay Malabry and Grand Prix and Students Award in Festival Cinessonne. This adds to the growing list of awards that Garage has already picked up, including the CICAE Award at the Directors Fortnight in Cannes and the Prix Coup De Coeur at The Dinard Film Festival.

Garage is the second film from director Lenny Abrahamson and writer Mark O’Halloran, the team behind the award-winning black comedy Adam & Paul.
The film centres on the good natured, absurdly optimistic Josie (Pat Shortt) who has spent 20 years as the caretaker of a crumbling petrol station in small-town Ireland. Despite loneliness and the fact that his neighbours treat him as figure of fun, he is, in his own way, happy. Garage is the story of Josie’s hapless search for intimacy over the course of a summer which sees his little niche threatened and his life changed forever.

Back to top

Filmbase Presents an Open Seminar on Short Film Schemes Applications – 21st November 2007

Filmbase are hosting an information session on all aspects of short film schemes application and selection procedures in Ireland. The panel includes Fran Keaveney from the Irish Film Board, Seamus Duggan representing RTÉ and Alan Fitzpatrick from Filmbase. Maeve Joyce from the Galway Film Centre and Chris Hurley from the Cork Film Centre will also be in attendance to take specific questions on their respective schemes. The session will take place on Tuesday, 27th November at Filmbase from 1:30–4:30pm.

This information session is aimed at writers, producers and directors interested in submitting projects to the major Irish short film schemes. The schemes covered will include the new Film Board shorts schemes Signatures, Reality Bites, Short Shorts and Frameworks, along with the Filmbase, Galway Film Centre and Cork Film Centre short schemes with RTÉ and the Irish language Lasair scheme run by Filmbase and TG4.

The session will cover the requirements for each of the schemes. The guidelines and application procedures for each of the schemes will also be covered. In addition, common mistakes in applications and approaches to presentation will be highlighted.

The session will also cover an overview of information required from shortlisted applications, and will again review common mistakes made at this stage of the process.

Requirements for project delivery, including all relevant paperwork, will be discussed and samples issued. There will also be time for detailed audience questions on any aspect of the short film schemes.

The seminar is free, but places should be reserved in advance. Please contact Clare Creely, Project & Administration Officer at Filmbase to book a place. Clare can be contacted at admin@filmbase.ie or on 01 679 6716.

Back to top

Mark O'Halloran Guests Edits Film Ireland Magazine – 21st November 2007

Award-winning Irish screenwriter and actor Mark O’Halloran joins Film Ireland magazine as guest editor for the January/February 2008 issue. Mark is one of the most interesting writers working in Irish film today, with a singular and unique voice. His films have included the incredibly successful Adam & Paul and Garage, which is still on release in cinemas, and the critically-acclaimed television series Prosperity. Mark is the first of a series of guest editors drawn from the ranks of the Irish film industry who will be editing upcoming issues of Film Ireland.

The next issue of Film Ireland will be devoted exclusively to the topic of sex in Irish cinema. Mark says 'A serious examination of the whole issue of sex in Irish cinema and television has been largely overlooked by the media. I was very interested in asking some questions about representations of sex, nudity and related themes in Irish film, because it has always seemed to me that we’re a bit shy about that in this country. It’s also a topic which lets us discuss serious issues like sexuality and censorship, but also to get playful and ask people who their Irish sex fantasy would be and to look at the myths around Irish porn.'

Alan Fitzpatrick, Director of Filmbase, adds 'The whole idea of inviting guest editors to work on the magazine was to open it up to new visions, new approaches and new interests. Mark has brought a huge energy to the magazine. We are delighted with his creative approach to commissioning and the choices he has made for the magazine. It should be a very exciting issue.'

In conjunction with the publication of the issue, Film Ireland is also running an online survey of the Irish public’s attitudes to sex on screen. With a mix of serious and playful questions the survey hopes to capture a snapshot of opinion on the subject from the effectiveness of the TV watershed, to pornography, to the quality of sex scenes in Irish film. The survey is anonymous and can be accessed from either here or the Filmbase website.

You can listen to Mark O'Halloran's interview with Simon Maher on Phantom Daily (21st November) here: High quality mp3, Medium quality mp3

Back to top

Campbell Ryan Productions Seek New Writers – 21st November 2007

Following Campbell Ryan’s productions move to a larger premises at the Media Cube in Dun Laoghaire and our recent commission by Bebo and Sony Pictures and Television International to produce the UK and Irelands first interactive teen drama Sofia’s Diary we are now looking to expand even further.  

Campbell Ryan productions is looking for new talent and is seeking new writers and directors to work with the company on other series for new media and television based in the UK and Ireland.

If you have a traditional media background (TV, Radio, Film) and are looking to work in new media and 360 degree cross media projects then please email your CV with a sample of your work (either a 1 page treatment if your a writer or a web link if you are a director) to info@campbellryanproductions.com.  All details will be treated in the strictest confidence. Deadline for receiving details is Tuesday 11th of December.

Successful Projects Announced for Short Cuts Scheme – 20th November 2007

The five successful projects of the last year of the Short Cuts scheme have been announced by Bord Scannan na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board. Aimed at fostering new talent and encouraging innovative short film making in Ireland, several successful short films have been produced through the scheme. New Boy (Stephanie Green) which won the Audience Award for Best International Short Film at the recent Corona Cork Film Festival, Colder (J.J. Harrington) and Screwback (Brian O'Malley) have all been recipients of the award.

This year's selections are:

- BogBodies
  Company: Blinder Films
   Writer/Director: Michael Kinirons
   Producer: Katie Holly
- Spacemen Three
  Company: Three Men in a Can Films
   Writers: John Butler & Hugh O'Conor
   Director: Hugh O'Conor
   Producer: Lucy Dyke
   Executive Producer: John McDonnell
- The German
  Company: Image Now Films
   Writer/Director: Nick Ryan
   Producer: Olivia Leahy
   Executive Producer: John McDonnell
- Of Best Intentions
   Company: Red Rage Films Ltd
   Writer/Director: Brian Durnin
   Producer: Paul Holmes
- The Door
  Company: Octagon Films Ltd
   Writer/Director: Juanita Wilson
   Producer: Louise Curran
   Executive Producer: James Flynn

Short Cuts is co-funded by Bord Scannan na hEireann/the Irish Film Board and RTE. The successful five shorts will premiere at the Galway Film Festival next year.

Back to top

German Film Festival in the IFI – 15th November 2007

The Irish Film Institute in Dublin hosts a number of foreign film festivals throughout the year to promote film culture in Ireland: The Paulaner German Film Festival is one of the permanent fixtures in Ireland’s cinema calendar, and reflects the healthy diversity of current German cinema. With recent films such as The Lives of Others and The Counterfeiters both at the forefront of arthouse success, this year’s festival brings a new crop of productions from a country whose film industry is  showing us all how it's done .
 
The Paulaner German Film festival (30th November–9th December), offers a diverse range of new features and documentaries ranging from our Opening Film Eight Miles High about the life of hippie nymph extraordinaire Uschi Obermaier who became the embodiment of sexual freedom in '60s Germany; to the award-winning Four Minutes, a prison drama featuring outstanding performances from Monica Bleibtreu and newcomer Hannah Herzsprung, about the battle of wills between a female – an inmate who is a young talented pianist – and her tutor.
 
Stellar performances feature throughout the festival; the late Ulrich Muehe (Lives of Others) and Helge Schneider in the black comedy Mein Führer – The Truly Truest Truth about Adolf Hitler; and Oktay Özdemir and August Zirner in the controversial and explosive Rage. Ralf Westhoff's Shoppen is a frisky and beautifully written comedy about speed dating with a wonderful ensemble cast.
 
This year’s festival will showcase new German documentaries: Full Metal Village, Germany's answer to Glastonbury, mud-bath included; Just An Ordinary Life about the work of three photographers and their experience of working in under GDR restrictions; Losers and Winners offering a fascinating insight into how the tables turn amongst a group of highly motivated but low-income workers from China and financially secure but complacent workers from Germany; and Pool of Princesses about four teenage girls from Berlin in search of love and for something to hold on to.
 
As part of this year’s festival we will continue with our Werner Herzog Retrospective, screening five of Herzog’s earlier works: Aguirre, Wrath of God; The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser; Nosferatu the Vampire; Fitzcarraldo and My Best Friend.
 
The Goethe-Institut Dublin co-produce this event with the Irish Film Institute. Paulaner is the title sponsor. For more information on screenings see www.irishfilm.ie

Back to top

Dare 2B Drinkaware Competition – 15th November 2007

A new film competition aimed at highlighting and exploring attitudes to alcohol was launched today at The Digital Hub.
 
dare2Bdrinkaware is a digital film competition for third-level students, sponsored by drinkaware.ie and organised by the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA). It was launched by Dr Stephen Brennan, Director of Marketing and Strategy at DHDA, and Fionnuala Sheehan, CEO of MEAS – the organisation behind the drinkaware.ie campaigns.
 
'With dare2Bdrinkaware, we are offering €5,000 to aspiring film-makers to produce short films challenging the relationship between Irish culture and drinking', explained Ms Sheehan. 'MEAS focuses on challenging excessive drinking and promoting personal responsibility in relation to alcohol. We are hoping that the new film competition will give students an opportunity to creatively explore these issues and to give their own take on students’ attitudes to alcohol.'

Following the launch event, workshops for students interested in entering the dare2Bdrinkaware competition took place in The Digital Hub. These workshops offered potential entrants the opportunity to gain practical filmmaking skills.  
 
Students now have a month to come up with film ideas for dare2Bdrinkaware – the deadline for receipt of proposals is 14th December 2007.  
 
Successful proposals will be notified before Christmas and invited to produce and submit their films by 31st March 2008. Entries to dare2Bdrinkaware must be made specifically for the competition, and must be produced entirely by third-level students over 18. Winning entries will be chosen for their creativity, and for the insight they offer into students’ attitudes to alcohol.
 
dare2Bdrinkaware will culminate in a screening and awards ceremony in April 2008. Further information – including full guidelines for the competition – is available at www.dare2Bdrinkaware.com

Back to top

Irish Experimental Film in Cork – 13th November 2007

Cork Film Centre presents retrospectives of figures from two generations of alternative Irish cinema. The event will take place on the weekend of November 17th in the Firkin Crane in Cork.

Vivienne Dick is primarily known as a legendary figure of the New York punk 'No Wave' film scene of the late '70s and early '80s. Of these films, Bev Zalcock has written 'Made on Super-8 using friends and neighbours as subjects, the experimental narratives of this period revived the flagging underground filmmaking culture and were shown in the bars, and rock clubs of downtown Manhattan. An unsteady camera, abrupt transitions, jump cuts and changes of mood were the hallmark of Vivienne's inimitable style. In terms of content her films are preoccupied with female sexuality, relationships and "transgressive behaviour".'

Since the early '80s, Dick has worked in Britain and her native Ireland, making intensely personal films and videos that frequently intersperse staged and documentary elements, and deal with such themes as migrant identity, Irish history, and the family.

Vivienne Dick – Programme 1 (Friday, 16th November, 8 pm): Guerillere Talks (1978), Images: Ireland (1988), Saccade (2004), Visibility: Moderate (1981)

Vivienne Dick – Programme 2 (Saturday, 17th November, 8 pm)
Films Introduced by Vivienne Dick: She Had Her Gun All Ready (1978), Beauty Becomes the Beast (1979)

Donal Foreman is an emerging Dublin-based filmmaker and critic who began making films ten years ago – at age eleven! His work encompasses and frequently blends drama, documentary and experimental styles. It is characterised by a humanistic sensibility, and a belief in the observational capacity of cinema to capture the sometimes-troubling poetry of human behaviour and the world around us.

This selection of his work includes a number of experimental videos, a cycle of personal documentaries, and My Friend's House, his longest drama to date.

Donal Foreman – Programme 1 (Sat 17th, 4.30 pm): Film by the Sea (2005), WSH: A Film about the Wind (2005), Three Ideas About the City (2006), When I Was 18 (2005), Under (2005), My Friend's House (2006)

Donal Foreman – Programme 2 (Sun 18th, 2.30 pm)
Films introduced by Donal Foreman: The Smoke Parade (2005), December 28th, 2002 (2005), Our Friend Peter (2005), The Question I Don't Want To Answer (2005),
In the Bathroom (2006)

Booking and information on 021 421 51 60 and www.corkfilmcentre.com

Back to top

Filmbase/RTÉ Short Film Award Winners Announced – 12th November 2007

Filmbase are delighted to announce the winners of the second round of the 2007 Filmbase/RTÉ Short Film Awards. Three projects were selected for funding from a total of over 140 projects received.

The winning projects are:

- Nightclubbing: Carol Murphy (writer/director) & Jennifer Sabbah (producer)
- O Blessed Water: Morgan Bushe (writer/director) & Conor Barry (producer)
- Tart: Martín de Barra (writer/director) & Steven Davenport (producer)

Filmbase and RTÉ would like to congratulate the successful teams, who will each receive €10,000 in cash with matching equipment deals towards their productions. Commenting on the round, Filmbase’s Managing Director, Alan Fitzpatrick, said 'This was one of the most competitive rounds of recent years. The assessment panel was extremely impressed by the creative visions and quality of the shortlisted projects and the teams involved. We are now looking to forward to three exciting, vibrant and creatively diverse short films from talented new directors and filmmakers.'

The closing date for the next round for the Filmbase/RTÉ Short Film Awards is 5 p.m. Friday 25th January 2008. The deadline for Lasair, the Irish language short filmmaking scheme run in conjunction with TG4, is Monday 19th November. Six awards will be made under the Lasair scheme, which has recently seen the cash award doubled to €20,000 per project, as part of TG4’s commitment to encouraging new and emerging filmmakers to produce films in the Irish language.

Further information on the Filmbase award schemes can be had by contacting Clare Creely, Project and Administration Officer, on 01 6796716 or by email at admin@filmbase.ie. Application forms and guidelines are also available online from www.filmbase.ie

Back to top

Future Shorts Launches Channel on Joost – 4th October 2007

Future Shorts is launching it's own channel on Joost, the new free online television platform. Future Shorts is set on bringing short film into the mainstream whilst raising its value and increasing the audience for short filmmakers.

Having set up the largest short film exhibition platform in the world, Future Shorts are looking to make the channel the most dynamic and exciting short film channel out there. The Channel will feature the very best from the Future Shorts festival as well as providing coverage from live film events and interviews with filmmakers and audiences alike.

Joost is an online TV service that allows users to watch films for free and to interact with other users. It is a new and exciting way of watching TV, allowing the user a variety of shows and the ability to interact with other members via full screen high-quality video.

Future Shorts is currently seeking short films to be featured on Joost and also for distribution to markets including Theatrical, Broadcast, Internet, VOD, DVD, Mobile, Handheld, Flat Screen and new channels as they emerge.

You can submit your film through the Future Shorts website here.

Back to top

Screen Training Ireland Bursary Award Scheme Seeks Applications – 3th October 2007

Screen Training Ireland Bursary Award Scheme has funds available and is open to receive applications from industry practitioners for training courses overseas and for customised work programmes.

The scheme may also be in a position to support individuals who have secured an agreement with a high profile industry expert for the purpose of shadowing/mentoring.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for programmes which would be beneficial to their career development.

Screen Training Ireland has supported Irish Industry Professionals through the Bursary Award Scheme to attend programmes such as Moonstone, North by Northwest, Arista, Showrunners etc.

Applications can be made online at www.screentrainingireland.ie. Criteria, terms and conditions can also be viewed online. If you have any queries on any of the above please contact Emer MacAvin on 01 483 0840 or email emer.macavin@fas.ie

Back to top

€2m Boost for IFB's International Fund – 3th October 2007

The Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism, Séamus Brennan T.D. announced additional funding of €2 million to Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board's to further boost initiatives to attract and encourage international film and television projects to locate in Ireland.

The extra €2 million is for the IFB's International Production Fund which has been responsible for bringing in more than €60 million worth of incoming production investment to Ireland over the past two years.

The Fund, now in its third year, aims to ensure the continuation of international production in Ireland by encouraging mobile film and television projects to locate here. The €2 million is in addition to the €20m budget the IFB is receiving in 2007 from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

Large scale productions which have shot on location in Ireland as a result of the International Production Fund include The Tudors starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Becoming Jane starring James McAvoy and Anne Hathaway, My Boy Jack starring Daniel Radcliffe and Kim Cattrall and The Escapist starring Joseph Fiennes and Liam Cunningham. UK TV series which have located to Ireland include Murphy's Law, George Gently and The Old Curiosity Shop.

The BSÉ/IFB ensures that in return for its investment a strong emphasis is placed on the employment of Irish talent in all grades, the use of Irish goods and services, and a high level of spend in the economy. Last year the fund, worth €2 million, attracted seven major productions to Ireland. These projects provided employment for 4 Irish directors, 733 Irish crew, 141 Irish cast, and 3223 Irish extras. Four of the productions were based in Ardmore Studios.

Ranelagh Arts Festival 2007 – 25 September 2007

The Cinemobile, a fully air conditioned state-of-the-art 100-seater mobile cinema, will be featuring films as part of the Ranelagh Arts Festival on Saturday, 29th September in Sandford Park School.

12.00 am – The Ugly Duckling and Me! Galway-based film company Magma Films reworks this classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale. Beautifully illustrated, clever and funny, the story centres on Ratso who takes off to find fame and fortune in a carnival, accompained by a worm and a duckling.

2.30 pm – Saturday Matinee: A Tribute to Maureen O'Hara: The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This 1939 version of Victor Hugo's classic, starring Maureen O'Hara and Charles Laughton is one of the best. Set in 15th century Paris, Clopin the puppeteer tells the story of Quasimodo, the misshapen gentle-souled bell ringer of Notre Dame and his relationship with the lively gypsy girl Esmeralda.

5.00 pm – Mein Leben für Irland (My Life for Ireland). The screening will be introduced by Jeremiah Cullinane, director of Hitler's Irish Movies. The film tells the story of the son of an Irish rebel who is sent to an English boarding school to be forced to 'think English'.

8.00 pm – Star Choice: La Strada. The screening will be introduced by Lenny Abrahamson (Adam & Paul, Garage). La Strada is one of Fellini's masterpiece, an adult fairytale concerned with the search for meaning in life.

Tickets are available online from www.ranelagharts.org. For further information please contact Howard Linnane on 086 361 47 87.

Back to top

Strength and Honour Picks Up Top Awards at the Boston FF – 24 September 2007

Irish film Strength and Honour, a story of good versus evil, won the top prize of Best Picture and Best Actor at the closing ceremony of the Boston Film Festival. This is the first time in the history of the festival that Best Picture and Best Actor have gone to the same movie.
 
Shot on location in Cork over seven weeks in the autumn of 2006, Strength and Honour tells the story of an Irish-American boxer, Sean Kelleher (Michael Madsen), who accidentally kills his friend in the ring and promises his wife that he will never box again. However, years later, when he discovers that his only son is dying of the same hereditary heart disorder which has taken his wife, he is forced to break his promise to raise the substantial funds needed for surgery that could save his son’s life Strength and Honour is a human drama of love and friendship, sacrifice and devotion, set against the violent underground world of bare knuckle boxing.

Written, directed and produced by Mark Mahon, executive produced by Olann Kelleher, Strength and Honour features an outstanding cast including Michael Madsen, Vinnie Jones, Patrick Bergin and Richard Chamberlain.

Strength and Honour will be released in cinemas across Ireland on 30th November.

Back to top

Scanbitz Short Film Challenge Seeks Submissions – 21 September 2007

Clones Film Festival in association with Scanbitz have announced details of the first ever Scanbitz Short Film Challenge.

Intended to become a major part of the yearly Clones Film Festival, the challenge is open to all experienced filmmakers, writers and crew.

The challenge for the participant teams is to scrip, prep, scout locations, cast, rehearse, film, edit and present a finished short film in 3 days. The award is a ‘Francie’ Trophy and €500 for first prize, €200 second prize and an Audience Award.

Each team will be given a budget of &e