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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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/

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
 
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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.
 
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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.

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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.

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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.

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