Irish talent recognised at major international festivals

A host of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (BSÉ/IFB) co-financed films have been selected to screen at the world's top International film festivals, including Berlin, Sundance, Rotterdam and Clermont Ferrand.
Lenny Abrahamson’s 'Adam & Paul' and Pearse Elliott’s 'The Mighty Celt' have both been selected to have their international premieres at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival, which runs from February 10-20, along with Margaret Corkery's short film 'Killing The Afternoon'.
Adam & Paul, enthusiastically received by Irish audiences last year, stars Mark O’Halloran, who also wrote the script, and was produced by Speers Film and executive produced by Element Films. It was co-financed by BSÉ/IFB, RTE and XtraVision, with Irish distribution by Abbey Films and world sales being handled by MovieHouse. The film features in the Panorama section of the festival, which showcases innovative independent auteur films.
Premiering in Berlin's Kinderfilmfest programme is The Mighty Celt, which stars Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, The Full Monty) and Gillian Anderson (The X-Files, The House Of Mirth) and was written and directed by Pearse Elliott, who scripted the Irish box office topping 'Man About Dog', released last year by Buena Vista International (Ireland). 'The Mighty Celt' was produced by Treasure Entertainment with co-financing from BBC Films, BSÉ/IFB and the Northern Ireland Film & TV Commission. World sales are being handled by The Works.
Margaret Corkery's Killing The Afternoon has also been selected by Clermont Ferrand, the world’s most prestigious short film festival, along with Peter Foott's award winning short 'The Carpenter And His Clumsy Wife', Jason Tammemagi's 'Not There Yet' and Martin McDonagh’s BAFTA nominated 'Six Shooter', starring Brendan Gleeson.
Meanwhile, the Rotterdam International Film Festival, which focuses on independent and experimental cinema, has just premiered two films from Paddy Jolley: 'Hereafter' and 'Sugar'. Closer to home, the third Jameson International Dublin Film Festival kicks off on February 11 with the Irish premiere of 'The Mighty Celt'.
Fintan Connolly’s 'The Trouble With Sex' and Terry Loane's 'Mickeybo & Me' also screen at the festival ahead of their Irish releases in March by Eclipse Pictures and UIP, respectively. Ciaran O’Connor's 'Capital Letters' will also be screened and has been picked up for distribution by Stoney Road Films.
"BSÉ/IFB congratulates all the filmmakers on these excellent festival selections," said BSÉ/IFB CEO Mark Woods. "After a great reception for 'Inside I'm Dancing' (aka Rory O'Shea Was Here) at the Sundance Film Festival in January, things are off to a good start this year for Irish filmmakers."
(GB)