Irish native and top Hollywood talent agent Hylda Queally, along with Oscar winner writer/director Kenneth Branagh, are to be specially recognised at this year’s Richard Harris International Film Festival, which takes place in Limerick this week.
Quelly will receive the Special Recognition Award for her work as one of the world’s leading agents. “Hylda’s career has been amazing,” said festival head Zeb Moore. “The ethos of the festival is to appeal to the Irish diaspora, to support and laud those Irish nationals and Irish descendants, who have achieved success internationally. Hylda has redefined that success, reaching the highest echelons of the entertainment business.”
Born in County Clare, Queally went on to launch a talent agency in Ireland before moving to the United States in 1989, when she joined Triad Artists. She later joined the William Morris Agency in 1992 following the company’s acquisition of Triad, and rose through the ranks to become Senior Vice President and North American Head of the agency’s Motion Picture department.
In 2004, Queally moved to Creative Artists Agency, where her current client roster includes such Oscar winners as Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Lupita Nyong’o, Marion Cotillard, and Jodie Foster.
Belfast writer/director Kenneth Branagh will virtually receive the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th edition of The Richard Harris International Film Festival
“The career of Kenneth Branagh absolutely embodies the spirit of the festival,” said festival head Zeb Moore. “His work on film, TV and theatre is world renowned, covering multiple genres, as not only a formidable actor but such a talented writer and director as well. He is greatly admired by those within the artistic community.”
Kenneth Branagh was born in Belfast Ireland, before moving to Reading as child. His film credits include Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V, Murder On The Orient Express, Death On The Nile, and the multi award winning Belfast, a coming of age drama loosely based around Mr Branagh’s childhood in the city. In 2002, he starred in Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, which was the final role for Richard Harris as the beloved character of Professor Dumbledore. The film celebrates its 20th anniversary next month.
This year’s event will screen twelve feature films and a large short narrative and documentary programme of 86 shorts, this is the largest edition of the festival so far, with most features enjoying an Irish theatrical premiere, including an European Premiere for the Charles Dance narrated Savage Waters.
The Richard Harris International Film Festival takes place from October 26 to the 30th.
Click here for more details on the programme.
