New Irish Cinema At Berlin Film Festival

The 58th Berlin International Film Festival is taking place during February (7-17th).
Over the 10 days, the festival will present films from around the world. New Irish cinema will be well represented with the feature film 32A, the documentary Seaview and the shorts New Boy and Frankie all officially selected for the festival, while Kings, Summer of the Flying Saucer, Niko and the Way to the Stars and The Escapist screening and selling at the European Film Market.
32A has been selected for the Generation 14Plus section of the festival. Marian Quinn who wrote and directed the feature film is a Rising Star nominee in the upcoming IFTA's. Selected by a special jury and sponsored by the IFB, the Rising Star Award aims to highlight exceptional new talent working in all areas of the Irish film industry.
32A is Quinn's debut film which stars Aidan Quinn, Orla Brady, Jared Harris and Kate O'Toole in a heart-warming tale about the ‘in-between' time of the heroine Maeve's life, when she is no longer a child and not yet a woman. It was produced by Tommy Weir and Janey Pictures with funding from the Irish Film Board, RTE, BCI, MBB and MDM.
32A premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2007 where it won the Best First Film Award. Marian also won The Tiernan McBride Award for Scriptwriting in 2002 for the project.
Seaview, directed by Paul Rowley and Nicola Gogan has been officially selected for the Forum section of the festival. The Forum encourages work by courageous, unconventional filmmakers and presents a diverse selection of films.
New Boy, directed by Steph Green has been officially selected for the Generation Mix. Produced by Tamara Anghie and Zanzibar Films as part of the IFB funded Short Cuts scheme, it has already picked up Best Short Film in the Dingle Film Festival 2007 and the Audience Award for Best International Short Film at the Corona Cork Film Festival 2007.
Frankie, directed by Darren Thornton follows a day in the life of Frankie, a 15 year old boy who is preparing for fatherhood.
Produced by Collette Farrell and Calipo Picture Company as part of the IFB funded Short Cuts scheme, it won Best First Irish Short when it premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2007 and won Best Irish Short Film at the Corona Cork Film Festival last October.
For the first time this year the Irish film industry will be represented by the IFB at Stand No. 3 at the EFM. This stand will promote Irish films and festivals as well as provide information on the delegates attending the market and provide details of new Irish films at the festival and market.
The IFB will also be holding a reception to celebrate Irish cinema at Berlinale on Sunday 10th February in the Movenpick Hotel.
(DS)