Week of « Prev | Next »
14 articles
Ben Barnes Tipped for 'Bono's Doppelganger'
4 November 2009 11:29 PM, PST
Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Dorian Gray) has been announced to star in 'I Was Bono's Doppelganger', a comedy film from director Nick Hamm (Godsend) that is based on Neil McCormack's autobiography of the same name. 28 year old Barnes will replace fellow British actor Charlie Cox (Stardust) who was originally cast. The production will star Barnes alongside previously announced Irish actor Robert Sheehan (Cherrybomb, Summer of the Flying Saucer). »
Ibec A/V Federation Event Highlights Digital Opportunities
4 November 2009 11:28 PM, PST
The Audiovisual Federation, the Ibec group that represents the feature film, television and animation sectors, and Enterprise Ireland hosted a seminar entitled 'Explosion of digital content and TV' on Tuesday, November 3rd, that brought together a wide range of industry leaders to discuss the evolution of broadcasting in Ireland and internationally. Speaking at the seminar in Enterprise Ireland the director of the Audiovisual Federation, Tommy McCabe, announced; "With 2012 set as the target date for digital switch over, it is critical that Ireland prepares for this fundamental change. The increased take-up of digital TV will mean greater availability of content for consumers across all platforms, with new and evolving technologies such as Iptv, Mobile TV and Video on Demand transforming the traditional model of broadcasting." »
Filmbase's Alan Fitzpatrick Talks Upcoming Courses
4 November 2009 11:27 PM, PST
Filmbase's new line-up of courses for the months of November and December sees the return of a course aimed at actors – something which Filmbase has not had for years. The seven week course, 'Acting for Film & TV' features writer and director, J.J. Harrington (Colder) as tutor and started yesterday, Wednesday, November 4th. Filmbase Managing Director, Alan Fitzpatrick talks to Iftn about this course and other upcoming training events at Filmbase. "The course looks at acting for the camera," says Fitzpatrick of the latest Acting programme. "The participants on the course will be guided by people who play various roles in the industry such as the casting director Thyrza Ging, who can share her experience and knowledge with them. It's the first time we've had an acting course in a few years, our resources usually go into training courses for crew members on the other side of the camera but we »
Alan Greenspan Joins Cork Media Panel
4 November 2009 11:26 PM, PST
Producer Alan Greenspan (High Fidelity, Donnie Brasco), Dr. Barry Monahan, lecturer in Ucc's Film Studies Deapartment (Ireland's Theatre on Film: style, stories and the national stage on screen) and Teresa McGrane, head of business affairs of the Irish Film Board, have all been confirmed as the working group facilitators of the film discussion event being presented on 6 November, by the Corona Cork Film Festival and Media Desk Ireland. The event, designed to mark the fact that this year is the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, will also see Ucc lecturer Donncha Kavangh join veteran filmmaker George Morrison (Saoirse) and keynote speaker Dr. Edward de Bono, Maltese Ambassador for the European Year of Creativity & Innovation, in giving filmmaking presentations. Rapporteur for this event will be filmmaker and musician Philip King (Rocky World). »
2009 ZeBBie Shortlist Selected
4 November 2009 11:25 PM, PST
The short-list for the Irish Playwrights and Screenwriters Guild 2009 ZeBBies has been announced. Created by the and named in honour of 'Grapes of Wrath' actor O. Z. Whitehead, the accolade acknowledges script(s) written by Irish playwrights and screenwriters during the previous year. This year sees the following scriptwriters being nominated in the category of Television; Frank Deasy for episode 1 of 'Father and Son'; Lisa McGee for the second episode of 'Raw' and Peter McKenna for the first episode of the sixth series of 'The Clinic'. »
Irish Animator's 'News' Wins Japanese Prize
4 November 2009 11:24 PM, PST
Tt Animation's 'What's Your News?' from Irish animator, Chris Dicker, has won in the categories of both Best Pre-School Show and the overall Grand Prix Prize at the Nhk Japan Prize, an international contest for educational media held in Tokyo. The 2009 Japan Prize event received 324 entries from 196 organizations in 65 countries & regions. The only other time that the event's Grand Prix prize has been won by animated programmes was when 'Sesame Street' won the prize 25 years ago and, more recently, 'The Teletubbies' which won 12 years ago. »
'Ballybrando' Explores the Greatest Irish Film Never Made
4 November 2009 11:23 PM, PST
Hotshot Films are currently in the edit suite with 'Ballybrando', a documentary that follows the story of ill fated Irish film 'Divine Rapture'. Starring Marlon Brando and Johnny Depp, the project is now known as the greatest film never made in Ireland. 'Divine Rapture', a feature film about an elderly priest (Brando) who believes in the power of miracles, was filmed in the Cork village of Ballycotton in 1995 for 10 days. Locals of the town could not believe their luck when the location was decided upon, hoping for a surge in tourism as a result of the film and the presence of its cast which also included John Hurt and Debra Winger. However, filming was brought to a halt as a result of financial difficulties. It later transpired that just over 20 minutes of footage had been shot. »
Vicky Licorish Talks about 'Small Island' Ni Shoot
3 November 2009 11:29 PM, PST
Producer Vicky Licorish (Goodbye, Mr. Steadman) has recently completed a labour of love in the shape of 'Small Island', a drama from Ruby Television in association with Al Films for BBC, which chronicles the intertwining lives and loves of Jamaicans and Londoners in the 1940s where English landlords' signs reading 'No Irish, No Coloureds, No Dogs' appeared to be the message of almost an entire country. 'Small Island' was filmed in Belfast and Jamaica during February / March 2009, with a few days also spent shooting in Dublin. The crew shot for six weeks in Belfast having transformed parts of the city into post war London. The drama feature, which is expected to broadcast as two 90 minute pieces, is adapted from Andrea Levy's novel of the same name, directed by John Alexander (The Shadow in the North) and adapted by Paula Milne (I Dreamed of Africa). Produced »
Eilis Mernagh's Festival Report: Austin Film Festival
3 November 2009 11:29 PM, PST
Continuing on from her festival diary last year, Irish Screenwiter Eilis Mernagh (My Regards to the Chef) discusses and chronicles her experiences of the Austin Film Festival a second time around in this special festival report. The Austin Film Festival is held in Austin, Texas, and its organisers seek to further the art, craft, and business of screenwriting and filmmaking by providing year-round cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation, and encouraging community partnerships. It ran this year from the 21st to the 28th of October. »
David McWilliams Is New Host of 'The Panel'
3 November 2009 11:29 PM, PST
Happy Endings Productions' 'The Panel' returns to our screens this week for a seven week run. The ninth series welcomes a new host in the shape of economist and journalist David McWilliams (Addicted to Money). 'The Panel' is directed by Pat Cowap (Saturday Night with Miriam) and produced by Seamus Cassidy (The Podge and Rodge Show). New frontman McWilliams will be joined by regular panellists Colin Murphy (The Blizzard of Odd), Neil Delamere (Republic of Telly), Andrew Maxwell (Comedy Cuts) and Mairead Farrell (The Ultimate Guide to Everything). Actress Holly White (Dan and Becs) also makes her debut this series. »
Terence Davies Lecture at National Film School
3 November 2009 11:29 PM, PST
Award winning British writer/director Terence Davies (Children) will present an upcoming National Film School (Nfs) lecture on Thursday, November 5th. Described as “Britain's greatest living film director” by The Evening Standard, Terence Davies' credits include 'Children', 'Madonna and Child', 'Death and Transfiguration', 'Distant Voices', 'Still Lives' (which received a European Film Award nomination), 'The Long Day Closes', 'The Neon Bible', the BAFTA nominated 'The House of Mirth' and the documentary, 'Of Time and the City'. »
Call for Entries for Innovate Media '09 Awards
3 November 2009 11:29 PM, PST
Media Cube, the only dedicated digital media centre to be based on the campus of an academic institution in Ireland (the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dún Laoghaire), are currently inviting entries from digital media and software companies for the Innovate Media '09 Awards. Digital Entrepreneurs are being given the opportunity to pitch their business idea to a panel of judges, the members of which include 'Dragon's Den' panelist Sarah Newman, founder of needahotel.com, Paul Rellis, Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland and Dr. Martin Curley, Global Director of Intel Labs Europe. »
Irish Thrillers 'Savage' & 'The Disturbed' Join Afm Slate
3 November 2009 11:29 PM, PST
Cinemavault has bolstered its American Film Market (Afm) slate with the Irish thrillers 'Savage', from director Brendan Muldowney (Final Journey), and 'The Disturbed' from Conor McMahon (Dead Meat). Conor Barry of Sp Films, the production company behind 'Savage', tells Iftn: "It is a tremendous opportunity to have a company with Cinemavault's proven ability involved with 'Savage' - a film we are so proud of." Starring Darren Healy (Once) and Nora-Jane Noone (The Descent), 'Savage' tells the story of a news photographer who, following a vicious assault, drifts into derangement as he changes from a victim to a revenge obsessed aggressor. Funded by the Irish Film Board, the film had its world premiere at the Galway Film Festival and was an official selection at the Darklight Film Festival. »
Shooting of Subotica's 'La Mula' Suspended
3 November 2009 11:29 PM, PST
Director Michael Radford (The Merchant of Venice) has suspended production on set of his new film 'La Mula (The Mule)'. The film, which is co-produced by Irish company Subotica and supported by the Irish Film Board, has been in the works for two and a half years and the film's shoot, which started on 31 August, was just one week away from completion. Director and co-producer Radford felt he needed to cease production citing the failure of lead co-producers Gheko Films to sign co-production agreements. The Irish production company involved in the project, Subotica, has issued this statement: "We can confirm that, at the moment, shooting has been halted by director Michael Radford, but negotiations are ongoing." »
14 articles
