Perhaps not surprisingly, the New York Film Fleadh was dreamt up in a pub in Manhattan. As bar-room conversations go, setting up your own international film festival ranks up there with the ‘what I would do if I won the lottery’ scale of conversations. What is surprising though is that this idea managed to make it out of the pub and, once it hit the fabled streets of New York, took on a life of its own. With the closing date for script and film entries fast approaching, Gary Quinn spoke to Terrence Mulligan about his brainchild.
March 9th 2000, sees the opening of the second Irish International Film Fleadh. Set-up up by 2nd generation Irish-American Terence Mulligan, the event was devised to build a showcase for Irish and Irish-American filmmakers in New York. “Being a filmmaker I wanted to create something that hadn’t been done before whether it was a film or something film-related. I was frequenting a few bars in lower Manhattan where there were a lot of the ‘new’ Irish and I realised that there was an audience there waiting to be tapped, the timing seemed right and people I discussed it with in the industry were very supportive of the idea.” explained Terence.
The first year was considered an amazing success. “People in New York embraced the festival beyond our expectations, especially the Irish-Americans who are always looking for a way to connect back to their roots.” Over 2,500 people attended the festival and, importantly for a brand new event, it was covered by all the major US media including Fox 5 News, The New York Times and the Hollywood Reporter.
Steven Bradley’s, Sweety Barrett, had its US premiere at the event and this film was flanked by six other Irish features, nine shorts and two documentaries including Conor McCourts, The Courts of New York and Treasure Films, Southpaw – The Francis Barrett Story. “Southpaw won our audience award. Francis and his wife came over. It was like a honeymoon for them. After we screened Southpaw the audience got up to leave and I told them to take their seats...they had no idea Francis was there. He really won them over and it's such a compelling story. He's a champion in every sense of the word and that kind of energy moves people.”
The only competition last year was the audience award but Film Fleadh 2000 is introducing a new competitive section - the Screenplay Competition and award. The winning screenplay will receive a rehearsed reading at the festival and the criteria dictate only that the script be either written by an Irish national, be based in Ireland or have some other Irish theme. “Since the Irish are the greatest storytellers in the world it made sense to add a screenplay component to the festival. Also, it's a great way to nurture the next wave of screenwriters who need to get their work noticed outside of Ireland.” Terence explained. The Judges are: Bingham Ray (October Films), May Jane Skalski (President - Hungry Man Films), Cynthia O'Murchu (former Irish Film Board officer), Evelyn Brady (Producer - Golden Trailer Awards) and Terence Mulligan (Festival Director).
When an event makes as strong an impression as the Film Fleadh on it’s first outing there is undoubtedly a strong funding strategy involved. It is clear that Terence Mulligan places great emphasis on sourcing the correct funding. ”We are talking with a number of interested sponsors for next year such as The Screen Commission, Irish Distillers Group in Dublin, the Irish Tourist Board and a few Internet companies,” he explained. A quick scan of last years sponsors indicate the Fleadh’s success in financing the event. These include HBO, MURPHY'S, KODAK, FITZPATRICK MANHATTAN HOTEL, BAILEYS and WATERFORD CRYSTAL.
In the run-up to the March launch there will be a series of events to firmly place the Film Fleadh 2000 on everyones agenda. For those of you already in New York, the first Friday of each month features a gathering of up-and-coming film-makers producers, writers and actors in a local watering hole known as Toad Hall, and a Cigar Dinner will be held in early 2000 which will honour a prominent Irish actor at a gala dinner. Terence Mulligan is currently securing headline names to attend the festival and contribute to its success. Last year Aidan Quinn and Frank and Conor McCourt were in attendance as well as many other prominent Irish related film-makers, writers and business people.
Along with the screenplay competition there will be a further two additional secions: a Tribute Award and screening of an Irish actor or director whose work has made an impact on international audiences and a Master class in acting and directing.
IFTN plan to be there in March and, with any luck, we will see you there. The closing date for receipt of both film and script entries is December 31st.
Preference will be given to 16mm and 35mm work but the festival will also screen films on Beta. Full details including entry forms are available on the Film Fleadh website at
www.filmfleadh.com
