Irish film celebrated at major Greek festival

The new generation of Irish filmmakers were recently placed under the spotlight during a special celebration of their work at the International Thessaloniki Film Festival held in Greece.
Feature films screening during the event include Lenny Abrahamson’s 'Adam & Paul', 'Mickybo & Me' directed by Terry Loane, Liz Gill’s 'Goldfish Memory' and 'The Halo Effect' directed by Lance Daly.
The multi-award winning 'Pavee Lackeen', directed by Perry Ogden has also been selected for International competition at the festival, competing for the Golden Alexander Award for Best Film.
A round table panel event focusing on the Irish industry was organised as part of the Co-production Forum event at the festival. Teresa McGrane, Irish Film Board Deputy CEO and Mark Mulqueen, CEO of the Irish Film Institute will be sitting on the panel, together with Irish producers Catherine Tiernan and Liz Gill.
Teresa McGrane, BSÉ/IFB Deputy CEO, said: “The Thessaloniki Film Festival is an important event on the international film festival circuit and an excellent platform to highlight Irish films to an international audience. We’re delighted to be involved with this project and hope that the Reel Ireland programme will continue to develop international audiences for Irish talent.”
The International Thessaloniki Film Festival has become the Balkans' primary showcase for the work of new and emerging filmmakers, as well as the leading film festival in the region. Nearly one thousand guests attended the festival, including 70 foreign film critics and journalists plus their local counterparts.
This special focus is part of the Reel Ireland touring programme of Irish films, launched earlier this month by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue.
Funded by Culture Ireland, Reel Ireland is aimed at developing international audiences for Irish film at festivals and cultural events all over the world.
Other locations on the tour include New South Wales (Australia), Tanzania (Africa), Lisbon (Portugal), Boston (USA), Prague (Czech) and Tel Aviv (Israel).
(SP)