’The Eclipse’ has been awarded the top prize in the Best European Motion Picture category at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in Spain
The supernatural drama, directed by Conor McPherson (The Actors), picked up the prestigious Melies D’Argent Award for Best European Motion Picture at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in Spain, a renowned fantasy and horror film festival.
’The Eclipse’ which opened this year’s LA Irish Film Festival and screened at the Mill Valley Film Festival in California tells the story of a widower played by Ciarán Hinds (Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day), who is haunted by nightmarish visions. When he volunteers at an international literary festival, his life converges with a beautiful author of supernatural fiction, played by Iben Hjejle (Chéri) and a self obsessed novelist played by Aidan Quinn (A Shine of Rainbows). The events that follow draw all three into a life-altering collision between the living and the dead.
The film was produced by Rob Walpole (I Went Down) for Treasure Entertainment with funding from Bord Scannán na hEireann/ the Irish Film Board, RTÉ and BCI and was shot on location in Cobh, Co. Cork last September. The film’s producers Rebecca O’Flanagan (Assosciate producer, Shrooms) and Rob Walpole say of the win: "We are delighted to have received this award. It is exciting to have the film recognised in this way and hopefully it is an indication of how both European and international audiences will respond to the film when it is released next year."
The Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia was founded in 1968 and is one of the most foremost fantasy film festivals in the world. The festival also prides itself on being the cultural expression with the most media impact in Catalonia.
For a full list of the winner’s at this year’s festival visit sitgesfilmfestival.com
