Dublin will play host to the General Assembly of the Federation of European Film and Television Directors (FERA) from 30 May - 1 June. Guests at the AGM will include Hungarian director István Szabó (Mephisto, Being Julia), Oscar-winning Irish writer/director Neil Jordan (The Brave One, The Crying Game, Breakfast on Pluto) and IFTA winning director Declan Recks (Eden, Pure Mule).
The event, taking place in Dublin for the first time ever, is hosted by the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland (SDGI) and will focus on initiatives and common concerns for European directors such as creative and economic challenges that European directors face today; new technology and the impact this has on the creative process; European legislation and the regulation of films online.
The AGM marks the handover of the presidency from current FERA president, director / actress Liv Ullmann (Sofie, Love), to István Szabó, whose film 'Mephisto' won the Best Foreign Language Oscar in 1982.
Ullmann will introduce a special screening of her film ‘Faithless’ at the Dublin's IFI, followed by a public interview conducted by Oscar-winning Irish writer/director Neil Jordan.
SDGI will welcome over 70 delegates to the AGM made up of respected European directors as well as prominent EU lobbyists and officials who will provide an expert view of topics discussed. Irish director Declan Recks will also present a special screening to delegates of his critically acclaimed film ‘Eden’ at the new Light House Cinema, Smithfield.
“Our vision in FERA is to represent directors in a very constructive way, not only for what we are and what we aspire to be, but also to enable us to embrace the new media, the new ways of expression and new ways for us to reach our audiences,” said Liv Ullmann, President of FERA. “I very much look forward to discussing these topics and others with fellow European directors in Dublin.”
FERA was established in Venice in 1980 and now represents 32 national associations in European countries. The General Assembly will be held at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Dublin. The FERA AGM is being sponsored by the Irish Film Board, Culture Ireland, FÁS Screen Training Ireland, Windmill Lane and the National Film School.
