Declan Cassidy’s ‘Whatever Turns You On’ is to be released with ‘Kisses’ – plus Irish short ‘Reclaimed’ has been selected for New York City Horror Film Festival, and ‘The Morning News’ and ‘Call Me Son’ are screening at the Salford International Film Fest.
Having scooped the Best Irish Short at Kerry Film Festival, Declan Cassidy's ‘Whatever Turns You On’ has won the Audience Award at Britain's Filmstock International Film Festival. The awards come just ahead of a cinema release for the film when it plays ahead of ‘Kisses’ from November 21st in the IFI.
"It's been a great week for all of us involved in the film," said Cassidy who wrote and directed the Irish Film Board funded short. "As well as picking up the two awards we were shortlisted for Best Short Film in Boston Irish Film Festival. It's an uplifting little film about a homeless guy and I think that, in these uncertain times, people latch onto the positive feel of it."
The film, which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in July, tells the humorous but poignant story of a homeless man (Luke Cameron) who arrives at a large electronics store on a mission, much to the chagrin of the security guard (Richard Wall) and the bemusement of the shop assistant (Caoimhe O’Malley). Written and directed by Cassidy, the film was produced by form Irish Independent journalist Bill Tyson.
Cassidy and Tyson have joined forces again for a television drama series ‘The House’ which is currently in production and due to screen in Spring of 2009. The four hours of drama tell the tale of four diverse individuals who end up sharing a house in Dublin.
Armagh-based filmmaker Neville Steenson's short film ‘Reclaimed’ has been selected for New York City Horror Film Festival, which takes place next week in Manhattan. The film's story centers on an ancient malevolent spirit that has passed through the centuries in what was once a hanging tree. ‘Reclaimed’ has recently been screened on Sky TV as part of a Horror Festival.
Northern Irish, Writer/Director Louis McCullagh’s first 2 films ‘Call Me Son’ and ‘The Morning News’ are screening at the Salford International Film Festival from 15th - 23rd November 2008.
Louis wrote and directed ‘Call Me Son’ which stars Ciaran Flynn (Hunger) and also features music by Juliet Turner. It is the first film from My Neighbour Films. The film highlights the life of a child in foster care. “It is an engaging, amusing and ultimately very moving film,” said Salford Festival Director Steve Balshaw. ‘Call Me Son’ was selected by the youth section of the festival as part of the ‘Pathways’ strand, which is dedicated to the work of community filmmakers.
The short will also have its Irish Premiere when it screens as a support to a major feature film at Cinemagic Children’s International Film Festival (13 November – 5 December) in Belfast. Louis’s first film ‘The Morning News’ which portrays the final chapter of a hidden love story has also been selected for the Filmstock International Film Festival and was also selected for the Waterford Film Festival as well as supporting ‘About Schmidt’ at Queens Film theatre in Belfast. Both films were funded by NI Screen.
