The Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland are hosting a special reception to celebrate new Irish Cinema at the Cannes Film Festival (May 16th – May 27th).
This Irish reception will be attended by the leading lights of the Irish film industry, including the production teams behind Once and Garage, and will promote the newest Irish films to the international industry. Irish musician Duke Special will perform at the reception in a unique opportunity to showcase their work to the international film industry.
This year there will be number of new Irish films screening in the festival market including 'How About You', directed by Anthony Byrne and starring Vanessa Redgrave and 'Kings' directed by Tom Collins, starring Colm Meaney. 'Speed Dating', directed by Tony Herbert, 'Shrooms', directed by Paddy Breathnach, the award winning film 'Once' directed by John Carney, 'Strength & Honour' written and directed by Mark Mahon, 'Small Engine Repair' directed by Niall Heery and 'The Front Line' directed by David Gleeson will also be selling there.
A preview of the U2 documentary 'U2 3D', directed by Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington will also screen out of competition at the festival on Saturday 19th March.
Following 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley' winning the coveted Palme d 'Or award last year, Ireland is once again represented at the festival with Lenny Abrahamson's film 'Garage', starring Pat Shortt and Anne Marie Duff, which will feature in the prestigious Director's Fortnight section of the festival.
Other recent achievements for the Irish film industry winning include the Audience Award for World Cinema for John Carney's film 'Once; at the Sundance Film Festival. 'Small Engine Repair' scooped two major awards at the Nashville Film Festival last month and 'Speed Dating' has just scooped the Audience Award at the Indianapolis International Film Festival.
Last year a number of films pre-sold in Cannes including Paddy Breathnach's film 'Shrooms', which has since sold world wide and will be released in Ireland and the UK later this year. The market provides an opportunity for Irish producers to meet with international film financiers, sales agents and film distributors.
