The Northern Ireland Film Commission has had a busy summer of production on its short film scheme Premiere, following on the success of 'Dance Lexie Dance' which received an Oscar nomination. The five short films will premiere at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast in September and will be screened on UTV early next year.
'Cluck' was the first film shot in the series and starred chickens! Shot on location throughout Counties Down and Antrim, including Comber and Ballymoney, 'Cluck' is the comical tale of a young man with a bomb and a mission. The short was written and directed by Terry Loane, brother of actor/director Tim Loane, produced by Clem Lenaghan and starring Ciaran McMenamin and John Hewitt with 'Dance Lexie Dance' actor BJ Hogg.
'The Good Son' directed by Sean McGuire and produced by Colin McKeown was shot around Counties Down and Antrim. It is the story of Gabriel Doyle, a middle-aged man who feels trapped by responsibility for his elderly father, Mick. While Mick lies ill in hospital Gabriel recalls the events that finally led him to turn away from his sense of duty. Set on location in Belvoir Park Hospital and a working farm on the Craigantlet hills, 'The Good Son' stars vetern actor Peter Vaughan whose credits include 'Our Friends in the North', 'The Remains of the Day' and 'The Crucible' and rising Scottish actor Gary Lewis, who features in the new Ken Loach film 'My Name is Joe'. As well as writing the script, Stephen McAnena also has a small role in the film along with his three year old son Ethan.
The current 70's revival is echoed in 'Baby Doll' set in the summer of 1973 and is the story of Heather, a precocious 14 year old eager to explore the adult world. During a weekend away with her best friends family, Heather finds out she prefers to remain a child. Written by Jane Harris and directed by Brian Kirk, 'Baby Doll' was shot on location in Belfast, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra and a caravan park at Groomsport. The short features Jennifer Courtney (Nothing Personal, The Secret of Roan Inish) playing Heather and Kimberley McConkey who starred as Laura in'Dance Lexie Dance' plays her best friend Cath. An experienced location manager on Northern Ireland feature films such as 'Titanic Town' and 'All For Love', this is Michael Casey's first film as producer.
Following on the success of 'Dance Lexie Dance' and the highly acclaimed animation 'Midnight Dance' Raw Nerve's Pearse Moore is currently making another short film in and around Derry. 'Surfing with William' is a spirit of the times film, the story of Bronagh, a young girl caught up in a virtual fantasy and her gradual awakening to womanhood and romance in the real world.
Film number five in the Northern Ireland Film Commission's Premiere short film scheme is 'Green Oranges' shot in Donaghmore in County Tyrone. It is the story of how it is never too late for love to flourish especially at the local bingo hall . . . will Tommy strike it lucky and win Madge, the woman of his dreams? The film stars Dungannon born Birdy Sweeny better know as Eamonn in 'Ballykissangel', and Belfast actress Barbara Adair, star of the new BBC Two drama, 'Amongst Women'. The short was directed by Conor Grimes and written by Eamonn Devlin, who previously worked together on the highly acclaimed Northern Lights production of 'Puddy Cat', and produced by Gerry Harrison.
In NIFC Development fund news the commission has recently offered a further Stg.£103,000 in development loans to the producers of a range of film projects intended to be filmed in Northern Ireland.
This brings the total offered by NIFC in development loans to over Stg.£380,000 since August 1997.
Projects offered loans in the latest round are:
SHAMAN
(TV series) Blue Heaven, London
20,000 DAYS
(feature film) Tiger Lily Films, London
BANGING TECHNO
(feature film) Banging Techno, Belfast
COWBOYS AND ANGELS
(TV series) Vanson Productions, London
HELL FOR HALF A CROWN
(feature film) Buxton Raven, London
THE HOLLOW BALL
(feature film) Callister Communications
HUSH MONEY
(feature film) Greenpark Films, Belfast
For Further information on the NIFC Premier Short Film Scheme Click Here
For Further information on the NIFC Northern Ireland Development Fund Click Here
Michael McMahon 3/9/98
