The first New York Irish Film Fleadh took place took place last month at the Directors Guild of America Theatre from March 11 -14 with Southpaw, a documentary on Olympic boxer Francis Barrett beat out the other star laden films including, 'This Is My Father' and 'Sweety Barrett', at the closing nights awards ceremony. Francis Barrett surprised the audience with his presence, then captivated them with his sincerity, winning smile and good natured wit.
The Film Fleadh had an impressive lineup presenting 8 features and 10 shorts throughout the four day event. The festival opened with the premiere of 'The McCourts of New York', a documentary about the ubiquitous Brothers McCourt - authors Frank (Angela's Ashes) and Malachy ('A Monk Swimming') and their charismatic siblings Alphie and Mike. Malachy's son Conor, a New York Police Sergeant directed the film.
Several directors of fleadh films participated in Q&A sessions following their films with the McCourt family stealing the show with a "ditty about a lassie". Aidan and Paul Quinn introduced their collaborative film 'This Is My Father' and David Caffery introduced 'Divorcing Jack'.
The festival received favourable write ups in The New York Times and The Hollywood Reporter with the latter noting that "The Irish will continue to populate the big screen for the foreseeable future in both Irish and American productions. MGM's remake of 'The Thomas Crown Affair' recently finished filming in Ireland and 'All About Adam', a Miramax film starring Kate Hudson, just began production in Dublin. 'Angela's Ashes' based on the McCourt's bestseller and directed by Alan Parker will be released by Paramount in the fall, Barry Levinson is currently developing 'An Everlasting Piece', a comedy to be shot in Ireland with an all Irish cast headed by Barry McEvoy, who wrote the script".
HBO, Baileys Irish Cream, Murphy's Irish Stout and the Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel were the sponsors of the Film Fleadh. The festival will operate year round under the Film Fleadh Foundation. The festival was organised by Irish-American actor/filmmaker Terence Mulligan. The Film Fleadh is a non-profit organisation composed of Irish-American and Irish artist working in film that are based in New York. The Film Fleadh Foundation is in the process of presenting monthly script readings, network meetings and a national tour in 2000.
Film Fleadh New York based board members: Aidan Quinn, Jim Sheridan, Ed Burns, Michale Moore, Denis Leary, Bingham Ray, Eamonn Bowles, Stacy Spikes and T.C. Rice.
For further information see www.filmfleadh.com
MMM 01/04/99
