Most people returning to their desks this January are refusing to notice the gaping hole in their social calendar over the next few months. For a select few filmmakers though things are just beginning to heat up.
The 2000 Festival circuit is just about to get underway and although we all know that the NAPTE market is terribly important and a great business venture, Sundance is what it’s all about. 21 January will see this now illustrious 10-day event get underway and, always a victim of its own success, it will fight hard to retain its independent spirit this year. With all eyes watching for a follow-up to last years rollercoaster, "The Blair Witch Project", the studios of America will undoubtedly plant a few suits in plain clothing around the Park City, Utah traditional venue. You’ve been warned.
And then there’s NAPTE. The National Association of Television Programme Executives have their annual bash in New Orleans from 24-27 January. There can be no mistaking the power of television and when its American you have got to be there. That’s why Enterprise Ireland has decided to host the first Ireland on Screen stand at the market and at the last count was being joined there by eleven Irish production companies.
They should make it back home just in time to see Audrey O’Reilly and Barry Dignam take on the Clermont Ferrand 2000 Festival from the 4-12 February. Easily the most important short film festival in the world, Dignam and O’Reilly’s latest short, "In Loving Memory", produced by their company Hit and Run, is the only Irish film in competition at the French Festival.
Staying in Europe, the Berlin 2000 picks up on February 9 with Wim Wenders "Million Dollar Hotel" taking the opening shot. Billed in Ireland as an Irish film, due to the flimsy rumour that Bono dreamt up the story, and of course because he did write the music. It will undoubtedly be a gala night when the German director brings his work back to the festivals new home, the Potsdamer Plazt. Coincidentally, the Potsdamer was also the backdrop for Wenders most celebrated film, "Wings of Desire".
Getting out of Europe for a few days is always worth the trouble and the second New York Film Fleadh could be just the opportunity on March 9-11. With monthly Fleadh Fridays and cigar dinners pleasantly building up the hype in advance, this years Fleadh is sure to be another winner. With its Manhattan location and an organising body comprising some of the most prominent members of the New York film scene the Fleadh is a networker’s dream.
Throwing itself into direct competition with the Film Fleadh for Irish eyes and also in the US, the Irish Reels Film and Video festival runs from the 7-11 March. Hosting features, documentaries, Shorts and animations the Seattle based festival is still calling for entries, closing date 30th January.
There is a couple of week’s break before the next central event takes over. The Dublin Film Festival hits the streets on April 6th and runs for 10 days. The first build-up to the event was held in December for those who didn’t make it and this year promises a greater fare than ever before. New Director Paul Taylor took his theme from his 1st hit announcement, the European Premiere of Canadian hit, "Rollercoaster". Other high points so far include, Danish thriller "Bloody Angels", North African filmmaker Youssef Chahine’s latest, "Other" and the first festival screening of "East of A", billed as a New York comedy of manners.
No doubt there are many people reading this who are thrilled, but simply won’t be in a position to make any of them. Hold that thought. If you are going to feel sorry for yourself the best is yet to come - Cannes.
In a word, the cream of all ‘perks’, this event is actually attended by a healthy body of Irish filmmakers every year. Set to run from the 10-21 May, the independent filmmaker might not make the cut as often as we would like but there can be no denying the glamour attached and lets be honest, who wouldn’t like to interrupt their friends in the pub with ‘Sorry I can’t make it next week, I’m off to Cannes.’ !
Full details of all these events will be covered as they occur, here on IFTN.
