Irish films ‘Song of the Sea’ and ‘Strangerland’ to screen at the Sydney Film Festival, Irish Film New York now accepting submissions and ‘Follies of Youth’ wins award at 48th Houston International Film Festival.
'Song of the Sea' and 'Strangerland' for Sydney Film Festival
‘Song of the Sea’ and ‘Strangerland’ will play as part of the 2015 Sydney Film Festival, which will run from June 3-14.
Irish/Australian co-production ‘Strangerland’ will play in competition at the festival while Cartoon Saloon’s ‘Song of the Sea’ will screen as part of a new family strand.
‘Strangerland’ tells the story of Catherine and Matthew Parker, whose two teenage kids disappear into the remote Australian desert, and sees the couple’s relationship is pushed to the brink as they confront the mystery of their children’s fate.
The film, which premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, is directed by Kim Farrant, and stars Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes, Hugo Weaving, Lisa Flanagan, Meyne Wyatt, and Maddison Brown. Irish writer Michael Kinirons co-wrote the script with Fiona Seres – with PJ Dillon (currently IFTA-nominated for ‘Vikings’) serving as cinematographer. The film is co-produced by Macdara Kelleher for Fastnet Films, with funding from the Irish Film Board.
‘Song of the Sea’, currently IFTA nominated for Best Film and Best Script Film for Will Collins, follows Ben and his little sister Saoirse, the last selkie, who can transform from seals to people, and her journey to the sea, to find her voice and sing the “Song of the Sea” to save all of fairy kind from being lost forever.
The voice cast includes Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle, Lisa Hannigan, Pat Shortt, and Jon Kenny. The score comes from ‘The Secret of Kells’ collaborators Bruno Coulais and the Irish band Kila. The film received an Oscar nomination this year for Best Animated Short.
The film is produced by Cartoon Saloon and directed by Tomm Moore, the team behind the 2009 film ‘The Secret of Kells’ which also received an Oscar nomination.
The 2015 Sydney Film Festival runs from June 3rd to the 14th.
Irish Film New York now accepting submission
Irish Film New York is now accepting submissions to the IFNY screening series in New York City.
Irish Film New York is now in its fifth year of its annual contemporary Irish film screening series held in New York City. IFNY brings the very best in contemporary Irish cinema to New York with a special three-day screening series featuring filmmaker Q&A’s, panel discussions, and filmmaker receptions. The event is co-presented by NYU's Glucksman Ireland House and supported by the Irish Film Board, Failte Ireland and Culture Ireland.
The screening series will be hosted the first weekend of October 2015. Interested parties need to submit their films before the August 1, 2015 deadline. Films accepted into the screening series will be announced around September 1, 2015.
All films need to be made in Ireland or made outside of Ireland with an Irish cast and/or crew.
To submit your film, go to http://www.irishfilmnyc.com/submit/.
‘Follies of Youth’ wins first award at Houston
Irish short film ‘Follies of Youth’ has won its first award at the 48th Houston International Film Festival in Houston, Texas.
The festival runs ten competitions for independent films and ‘Follies’ was awarded the Platinum Remi Award for Best Original Short Comedy.
The Remi award was named after Fredricic Remington, a western artist known for his paintings and sculptures of cowboy life in 19th century Texas.
‘Follies of Youth’ will have its’ first Irish screening on May 20th at this year’s Fastnet Short Film Festival in Schull, Co. Cork.
The film has also been selected for the Cayman Islands International Film Festival screening as part of a programme of short films on June 20th. ‘Follies’, which had its’ premiere at this year’s Garden State Film Festival in Atlantic City, is directed by Melina Curi and written by Aisling Corristine with Alex Whitmer. It was produced by Kevin Fisher for Dynamic Entertainment. Cainneach Mac Eoin provided cinematography while Kevin Corry and Dermot Grace edited the film.
The film cast includes Dorothy Cotter, Kevin Fisher, Mark Schrier with film debut performances from Aoife Hamilton, Amy Higgins and Clodagh Rolland.
Director Melina Curi said:
‘It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to make this film in Ireland. I have a special relationship with the country, and it was a great experience. We are glad the film has been well received with some festival selections.’
