The Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) are to host a special IFTA Academy Members screening of ‘The Survivalist’ on February 10th. This will be followed by a discussion with BAFTA nominated Director Stephen Fingleton and IFTA winning actor Martin McCann, which will be facilitated by Donald Clarke of The Irish Times.
‘The Survivalist’ was written and directed by Northern Ireland-born Stephen Fingleton, who has picked up a number of accolades for his work on the film, including; Best Debut Director at the British Independent Film Awards, Best New Narrative Director and Special Jury Mention at Tribeca, and most recently, a nomination in the Outstanding Debut category of the British Academy Film Awards.
Northern Irish actor Martin McCann has also been chosen as a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit for his performance in ‘The Survivalist’, as well as for the Oscar nominated short film ‘Boogaloo and Graham’. McCann has previously won an IFTA Award for ‘Swansong: Story of Occi Byrne’ and in 2013 he was nominated for his performance in ‘Jump’.
In a kill-or-be-killed world where starvation is rife and strangers are always dangerous, The Survivalist lives off the grid, and by his wits. When a starving woman and her teenage daughter discover his forest refuge, his loneliness drives him to overcome his suspicion and strike a bargain with them in return for bed and board. But as desire becomes stronger than necessity, the exchange becomes an uneasy, ongoing arrangement which threatens not only his carefully constructed world but also his life.
‘The Survivalist’ will be released to Irish cinemas by Bulldog Film Distribution on February 12th.
For more information on the IFTA Academy Members Screening, click here.
Check out IFTN’s interviews with director Stephen Fingleton and Martin McCann after ‘The Survivalist’ screened at the Galway Film Fleadh here and here.
