The award for Best Feature goes to ‘The Front Line’, directed by David Gleeson (Cowboys and Angels). The film, produced by Nathalie Lichtenthaeler, tells the tale of an African immigrant bank security guard who turns the tables on Dublin's nastiest criminals when they force him to be the "inside man" on a bank robbery.
The Best Documentary award goes to Margo Harkin’s ‘The Hunger Strike’. The film, produced by Joel Conroy, looks at the 1980/81 Hunger Strikers in the Maze Prison, Northern Ireland. The documentary, which features contributions from people close to the events, was commissioned by BBC NI to mark the 25th anniversary of the hunger strikes in 2006.
P.J. Dillon’s ‘Deep Breaths’, produced by Alex Jones, receives the Best Short Fiction/Animation award. The 15 minute drama, starring Amy Huberman (The Clinic) and Allen Leech (Man About Dog) follows the story of Danny (Leech), who sees the woman he loves boarding a train with a stranger he decides to follow them, revealing a shocking truth. Dillon previously directed the IFTA award-winning short ‘Headwrecker’.
The Director’s Choice award goes to Dave McLaughlin’s ‘On Broadway’. Produced by Mark Hankey, Lance Greene, Kris Meyer and Charlie Harrington, the film follows a Boston playwright who stages a production of his work in the back of an Irish pub.
The 2007 Excellence Award honoree at this year’s festival is Irish actor Aidan Quinn (32A, Song For a Raggy Boy) who will be present for a special ceremony and career retrospective held in his honor.
The Magners Irish Film Festival is administered by BIFF (Boston Irish Film Festival) Productions. Full details on the 9th Annual Magners Irish Film Festival and BIFF Productions can be found online at www.irishfilmfestival.com.
