The Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission

8/13/2019 The Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission

1/8

FILM AND TELEVISION NEWS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND ISSUE 22 CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

INSIDE EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUTNORTHERN IRELANDBUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK...


2/82 CINI 22CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

FOREWORDThe Northern Ireland Film and Television Commissionis delighted to be co-hosting the Irish Pavilion at theCannes Film Festival once again in 2006.

By supporting the Irish Pavilion, along with our long-standingpartners Bord Scannn na hireann/the Irish Film Board, weensure that the entire Irish film industry has a clear and strongpresence at the worlds premiere film festival and market. This

year we would like to warmly welcome Simon Perry, who wasappointed in January this year to the post of CEO at the IFB.

The past 12 months was an incredibly strong period for film fundingand production in Northern Ireland, with financing completed on8 feature films from this time last year until early May 2006.

Northern Ireland doubled for London in the thriller JOHNNYWAS, while Tollymore Forest Park was the backdrop for horror

movie WILDERNESS. Three further films made extensiveuse of the studio facilities at Maysfield: MIDDLETOWN,SMALL ENGINE REPAIR and CLOSING THE RING, whilePUFFBALL, 48 ANGELS and SHROOMS found the wild rurallocations in Armagh and the north-west appealing.

The Northern Ireland film industry continues to flourish. Criticalacclaim and media coverage has positioned Northern Ireland as anambitious new player and NIFTC-backed product has had its fairshare of gongs and accolades including nominations and wins atthe Golden Globes, IFTAs and prestigious festivals worldwide. In thetelevision arena, the picture is unfortunately not so bright and someretuning is blatantly necessary. We are particularly hopeful of more

television drama for Northern Ireland, especially since we are oneof the few regions that offers investment to makers of TV drama.

If you havent yet discovered magnetic north, come to the IrishPavilion and see for yourself what Northern Ireland has to offer.

Colin Anderson OBEChairman, NIFTC

Applicant co. PROJECT TITLE Amount awarded in / $

COMPLETION FUNDING

Ben Katz Productions I, LLC NAILED (Feature Film) 10,000 / $17,785

Little Ease Productions Ltd GUINNESSSIZE ME (Documentary) 8,000 / $14,228

FEATURE FILM / TV DRAMA

Closing the Ring Ltd CLOSING THE RING (Feature Film) 200,000 / $355,700

Luke the Lifeboat Ltd LUKE THE LIFEBOAT (Animation) 100,000 / $177,850

Make Films Ltd LINGLING (Feature Film) 150,000 / $266,775

Newgrange Pictures Ltd KINGS (Feature Film) 150,000 / $266,775

Treasure Entertainment Ltd SHROOMS (Feature Film) 150,000 / $266,775

LOW BUDGET FEATURE FILM

Green Park Films SIN SPREE (Feature Film) 150,000 / $266,775

MINI - DISTRIBUTION & PROMOTION

Bandigital Ltd HITCH (Short Film) 500 / $889

Borderline Productions PRETTY FACE (Short Film) 3,000 / $5,336

Manifesto Films Ltd JELLYBABY (Short Film) 2,700 / $4,802

Nua Media DANNY FROM BANDON (Documentary) 2,700 / $4,802

Poetry in Motion Ltd BYE-CHILD (Short Film) 5,000 / $8,893

Treasure Entertainment Ltd THE MIGHTY CELT (Feature Film) 5,000 / $8,893

MINI - PRODUCTIONAbout Face Media Ltd ULSTER GENERALS (Documentary) 50,000 / $88,925

Bandigital Ltd MEGIDO (Short Film) 11,250 / $20,008

Besom Productions Ltd HUNGER (Documentary) 15,000 / $26,678

Brian Davis - INDIVIDUAL THE POET AND THE BEAR (Short Film) 2,250 / $4,002

Eye Dent DEEPER BLUE (Short Film) 6,530 / $11,614

Ger Murphy - INDIVIDUAL DIDNT THEY LOOK GREAT (Short Film) 2,250 / $4,002

Hotshot Films Ltd THE EIGHTEENTH ELECTRICITY PLAN (Short Film) 22,500 / $40,016

Joe McStravick MURPHY 771 (Short Film) 2,115 / $3,762

Jonathan Kane - INDIVIDUAL MORNING CALL (Short Film) 2,250 / $4,002

Journeyman Films WEE HOODS (Short Film) 7,500 / $13,339

Laika Pictures Ltd TELL IT TO THE FISHES (Short Film) 22,612 / $40,215

Lynx Productions BRETHREN IN ARMS aka A RIGHT ROYAL LODGE (Documentary) 4,500 / $8,003

Princess Pictures THE HOTEL TRADE (Short Film)22,460 / $39,945

Simon James - INDIVIDUAL MAPPING FRONTIERS (Short Film) 1,250 / $2,223

Spoton Film & TV Ltd THE PATROL (Short Film) 22,500 / $40,016The Artery NI ARTERY (Documentary Series) 22,473 / $39,968

Westway Film Productions HOMELANDS AND TOWNLANDS (Documentary) 50,000 / $88,925

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Alchemic Films Ltd STATIC (Feature Film) 15,000 / $26,678

Closing The Ring Ltd CLOSING THE RING (Feature Film) 40,000 / $71,140

Geronimo Pictures Ltd TEENAGEKICKSakaWHATEVER (FeatureFilm) 7,500 / $13,339

Greenlit Rights Ltd BEYONDRECOGNITION (TVFilm) 19,625 / $34,903

Heavens Gate Films Ltd THEFAIRYTREE (FeatureFilm) 9,795 / $17,420

Hotshot Films Ltd POOR BANISHED CHILDREN OF EVE (Feature Film) 7,500 / $13,339

Hotshot Films Ltd JUMP! (Feature Film) 7,500 / $13,339

Line Productions THE SCOTS-IRISH IN AMERICA (TV Programme) 5,000 / $8,893

Make Development Ltd THE LAST FINE S UMMER (Feature Film) 39,100 / $69,539

Treasure Entertainment Ltd WOOLLY FACES (Feature Film) 20,000 / $35,570

Ulan Productions Ltd THE INDO-CELTIC CAB COMPANY (Feature Film) 21,000 / $37,349Whatever Pictures Ltd SHOOT THE CROW aka UNTOLD STORIES (Feature Film) 10,000 / $17,785

TOTAL 1,406,360 / $2,501,211

RECENT LOTTERY FUNDING

Applicant co. PROJECT TITLE Amount awarded in / $

Tall Stories Ltd PUFFBALL 165,000 / $293,450

Banjax Studios Ltd GENE-FUSION: READY2FUSE 400,000 / $711,400

Vertigo Films Ltd WAZ 399,436 / $710,400

Fridge Films Ltd ROUND IRELAND WITH A FRIDGE 350,000 / $622,475

Treasure Entertainment Ltd SHROOMS 300,000 / $533,550

Initial UK (Endemol) BELS BOYS 520,000 / $924,820

TOTAL 2,134,436 / $3,796,095

NORTHERN IRELAND FILM PRODUCTION FUND DECISIONS

CONTENTS

3FILMLatest production news

4A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF THE NIFTCThe last 12 months in words and pictures

6LOCATIONSThe best places to film in Northern Ireland

7INFORMATIONWhat you need to know about the NIFTC and NI

8FESTIVALSUp-to-date information on all the Northern Irish film festivals


3/8

Northern Ireland played host to a plethora

of Hollywood stars and legends of cinema,

when CLOSING THE RING began principalphotography in late March. The film was

financed through Lottery funding of 200,000

and the NI Film Production Fund of 600,000.

Starring Oscar-winner Shirley MacLaine(IN HER SHOES, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT),Christopher Plummer (A BEAUTIFUL MIND,THE INSIDER), Mischa Barton (televisions THEO.C.), Oscar-winner Brenda Fricker (MY LEFTFOOT, THE FIELD), and Oscar-nominee PetePostlethwaite (THE CONSTANT GARDENER,IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER), CLOSING THERING is directed by Oscar-winner RichardAttenborough (GANDHI, SHADOWLANDS), whomarked his twelfth directorial outing with thefilm. Written by Peter Woodward, CLOSING THERING is an epic love story that that spans two

continents and half a century and tells the storyof an American woman who honours a wartimepromise of love with a lifetime of heartacheuntil the discovery of a gold ring reawakens her.

CLOSING THE RING is produced by RichardAttenborough and Jo Gilbert. The co-produceris Martin Katz. The film is a presentation of UKFilm Council, Scion Films, the Northern IrelandFilm and Television Commission and ContentFilmInternational. CLOSING THE RING was shoton location in Belfast, Northern Ireland at thenew Titanic Studios, and in Toronto, Canada.

This landmark co-production with Canadamarks an incredible opportunity for the filmindustry of Northern Ireland, says producerJo Gilbert, who, along with Judy Gilbert isco-owner of Titanic Studios Ltd. To have aBritish film icon like Richard Attenborough, and

actors and filmmakers of the calibre of ShirleyMacLaine and Roger Pratt filming this moviehere in Belfast with local crew and actors is aphenomenal achievement for this community.In addition to forging a new and strong link with

Canada, it will show the rest of the world thatNorthern Ireland has a vibrant film industryand that we are indeed, open for business.

CLOSING THE RING features a supportingcast that includes Gregory Smith(televisions EVERWOOD), Ian McElhinney(THE BOXER), and newcomers StephenAmell, David Alpay and Martin McCann.

The films behind-the-scenes team includeslong-time Attenborough collaboratorscinematographer Roger Pratt and editorLesley Walker, whose previous outings withAttenborough include SHADOWLANDS and

CRY FREEDOM. The production designer is TomMcCullagh (MICKYBO & ME) and the costumedesigner is Hazel Webb-Crozier (MICKYBO & ME).

CLOSING THE RING is being sold throughContentFilm International:

London office: 19 Heddon Street,London W1B 4BGAt Cannes: ContentFilm International,3rd floor, 2 La Croisette (Opposite the Palais)T: +33 4 93 38 58 88F: +33 4 93 99 46 55

film

3CINI 22CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

Producer Jo Gilbert with Lord Attenborough

SHROOMSFrom award-winning director PaddyBreathnach (I WENT DOWN, BLOW DRY

with Josh Hartnett and MAN ABOUT DOG)

comes teen horror and Blair Witchesque

SHROOMS.

The film is executive produced by Gail Egan(THE CONSTANT GARDENER, MAN ABOUTDOG, VERA DRAKE) and produced by PaddyMcDonald (THE MIGHTY CELT), RobertWalpole (THE MIGHTY CELT, MAN ABOUTDOG, APE starring Alfred Molina, SALTWATERby Conor McPherson, I WENT DOWN).

SHROOMS received 150,000 Lottery fundingplus 300,000 from the NI Film Production

Fund and was filmed in the province from lateMarch to early May.

Shrooms is a splice between the narrativedrive and chase structure of Americanhorror and the more uncanny weirdness andaesthetic beauty of the Asian horror genre.says Director, Paddy Breathnach.

The film stars Jack Huston (nephew ofAnjelica, grandson of John), and Lindsey Haun(Paramounts ANGEL FROM MONTGOMERYopposite Burt Reynolds and Willie Nelson).

SHROOMS is sold through Capitol Films:London office: 23 Queensdale Place,London W11 4SQ T: +44 (0) 207 471 6000

F: +44 (0) 207 471 6012At Cannes: 4 la Croisette, 2nd FloorT: +33 (0) 4 93 39 23 70F: +33 (0) 4 93 39 51 74

KINGSFrom Newgrange Pictures comes KINGS - thefirst bi-lingual film to be produced in Irelandand entirely funded within the island ofIreland by the Irish Film Board, The BroadcastCommission of Ireland, TG4, and the IrishLanguage Broadcast Fund from the NIFTC.KINGS will go into production in September.

Based on Jimmy Murphys critically acclaimedplay The Kings of Kilburn High Road, the filmtells the story of a group of Irish emigrants inLondon, reunited at the wake of one of theirfriends who was killed by a passing tube train.

The friends are forced to confront thepossibility that this was no accident butsuicide and must face up to the reality oftheir alienation as long term emigrants who

no longer have any real place to call home.

The film is written and will be directed byTom Collins whose previous credits includethe recent award-winning feature filmDEAD LONG ENOUGH, TEENAGE KICKS THE UNDERTONES and BOGWOMAN.

48 ANGELSSet in contemporary Northern Ireland,48 ANGELS received Lottery funding of150,000 and is the story of two boys fromopposite sides of the sectarian divide, and aterrorist who finds hes now lost his place inthe world.

Directed by Marion Comer from a script byMarion Comer and Craig Holland, the filmis produced by John McDonnell and RobertMedema for Reflected Light Pictures.

48 ANGELS is sold by Scott Jones at ArtistView Entertainment in Los Angeles (T: 0018187522480).

John Travers as James and Ciaran Flynn as Seamus

SMALL ENGINEREPAIR

Produced for Subotica Entertainment byTristan Orpen-Lynch and Dominic Wright,producers of SONG FOR A RAGGY BOY. Thefilm stars Iain Glen (TARA ROAD, KIDNAPPED(TV)) and is helmed by first-time featuredirector Nial Heery from his own scriptabout an unemployed driver with musical

aspirations and a backwoods mechanic whodiscovers there is more to life than wellstocked tool boxes and country music.

The film received 279,336 from the NI FilmProduction Fund and shot in NI late 2005 andis being sold through MovieHouse.

Iain Glen

PUFFBALLTwo legends of the big screen are reunitedin tense, supernatural thriller PUFFBALL,when Nicolas Roeg directs his DONTLOOK NOW star Donald Sutherland.

Also starring Miranda Richardson, the filmis an adaptation of Fay Weldons novelof the same name that was adapted by

Fays son Dan Weldon. This is the story ofa couple whose lives are almost destroyedby infidelity, the paranormal and badweather when they purchase a remote,dilapidated cottage. The film received165,000 from the NI Film ProductionFund and is being sold by Wild Bunch.

CLOSING THE RING

Director Brian Kirk, Producer Michael Casey and Screenwriter Daragh Carville

MIDDLETOWN

From award-winning producer Michael Casey(FREEZE FRAME) comes an explosive drama

of love, loss and betrayal. MIDDLETOWN

tells the story of two brothers wracked byinternecine rivalry one for the love of his

family, the other for the love of his god.

Directed by BAFTA-nominated Brian Kirk(MURPHYS LAW, PULLING MOVES) andscripted by one of Irelands hottest writingtalents Daragh Carville, MIDDLETOWN

features an outstanding cast includingMatthew Macfadyen (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE,IN MY FATHERS DEN); Eva Birthistle (AEFOND KISS, BREAKFAST ON PLUTO);Daniel Mays (VERA DRAKE) and GerardMcSorley (OMAGH, VERONICA GUERIN).MIDDLETOWN is Macfadyens follow-up film to PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and

the second feature from Casey, oneof Irelands leading producers, who iscommitted to truly indigenous NorthernIreland film-making and spearheading thegrowth of the industry in the north.

Set to a haunting score by Debbie Wiseman,the film is a poignant reminder of thedestructive power of fundamental belief andultimately the redemptive nature of love.Beautifully shot with a distinctive visual

style and influence, reminiscent of thechiaroscuro effect favoured by Caravaggio,the film is already garnering serious interest.

MIDDLETOWNreceived 200,000 fromthe NI Film Production Fund and Lotteryfunding of 150,000. The film is soldthrough Andrew Herwitz The Film SalesCompany (T: 001 646 274 0945).


4/84 CINI 22CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

Another year has passed and the NIFTC has enjoyed a bumper crop of film andtelevision production, as well as successes in our exhibition sector, education andIrish Language. Here are just some of our highlights

SUNNY SIDE OF THE DOC

MEDIA Service Northern Irelands first trademission to Sunny Side of the Doc in July 2005 wasdeemed a huge success by attending NorthernIreland television production companies.Supported by the MEDIA Plus programme and theNorthern Ireland Film and Television Commission,MEDIA Service NI hosted a Northern Irelandstand at the marketplace during the companiesvisit and launched their presence with a cocktailreception closing the UK Day activities.

Northern Ireland companies in attendanceincluded DoubleBand Films; IkandiProductions; Besom Productions; VinegarHill; Hotshot Films and Nua Media.........................................................................................................

DEAD LONG ENOUGH

WINS AUDIENCE

AWARD AT CARDIFF

DEAD LONG ENOUGH, directed by Tom Collinsand funded by the NIFTC, won the AudienceAward at the Cardiff Screen Festival in November.Starring Jason Hughes, Michael Sheen andAngeline Ball, the film competed with 48 othertitles to win the award voted for by the public.

The film was shot on location in Ireland andWales and tells the story of two brothers whoreturn to a small village in Donegal wherethey spent a working holiday 16 years earlier.There they bump in to an old flame and aseries of mishaps and misunderstandingsreignite old passions and throw their livesinto confusion. The screenplay is based

upon the novel by James Hawes, who co-wrote the film with director Collins.........................................................................................................

NIFTC PART OF

BELFAST CREATIVE

SHOWCASE TO USA

Some of Belfasts most creative companieswere given an invaluable opportunity toshowcase their talents in the heart of the

worlds most lucrative marketplace.

The Belfast Creative Showcase, led by BelfastCity Council saw a number of the citys leadingedge companies working primarily in thefields of film, television and digital media, aswell as fashion design exploring new leads andpotential new markets in New York and Boston.........................................................................................................

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE AT

CRUMLIN ROAD GAOL

Last September witnessed an altogetherdifferent type of captive audience than used tobe seen at Crumlin Road Gaol, when film andmedia students from various colleges aroundthe country were enthralled by two luminariesfrom the worlds of film and literature.

Renowned screenwriter and director NeilJordan and author Pat McCabe gave a masterclass in film-making from script to screen toa specially invited audience of students fromQueens University, The University of Ulsterand The Upper Bann Institute of Technology,as well as up-and-coming local film makers.

CHARLOTTES RED

Morag Tinto3 SECONDS MY ARSE

HORN OK PLEASE

Pat McCabe and Neil Jordan take questions atCrumlin Road Gaol

Paddy Breathnachs SHROOMS

Bollywood Filmmakers at Crom Castle

The venue for the master class was so chosen,as the gaol had been used as a location forthe film BREAKFAST ON PLUTO, the latestcollaboration between Neil Jordan, whodirects, from the novel by Pat McCabe.........................................................................................................

ARTS MINISTER ON

SET OF JOHNNY WAS

Last summer, Arts Minister David HansonMP turned the spotlight on Northern Ireland

as a superb location for the film industry.

Speaking during a visit to the film setof JOHNNY WAS, the Minister said:Northern Ireland is a prime location forfilm production and it is essential that wecontinue to market the area nationally andinternationally as a production base.

Directed by Mark Hammond, written byBrendan Foley and produced by PatrickFitzsymons, Paul Largan and Tom Maguirefor Borderline Productions, the film is acontemporary thriller starring SamanthaMumba, Vinnie Jones, Patrick Bergin, Eriq laSalle, Lennox Lewis and Roger Daltrey.........................................................................................................

ENDGAME WIN AT TCM

CLASSIC SHORTSSecond prize went to ENDGAME directedby Andrew Greener of Spectrecom Films.This gritty interpretation of the troubles inNorthern Ireland particularly caught the eyeof Oscar-winning screenwriter, Julian Fellowes:Endgame - a clear head-and-shoulders winner

for me. Beautifully constructed, well thoughtout, well acted, genuinely surprising but, aboveall these things, involving and interesting. Myattention never strayed and I fully expect tosee this team crop up on the big screen.

ENDGAME is a dark thriller set in contemporaryBelfast. Martin, the main character, is establishedas a kindly schoolteacher who finds himselfstranded in the crossfire of a paramilitaryshoot-out. The film is packed full of dramaand suspense as Martin is taken hostage.

........................................................................................................

BILL MISKELLY

AWARD WINNER

Morag Tinto, who had already been awardeda scholarship to the prestigious National Filmand Television School in Buckinghamshire tocomplete an MA in Film & Television, specializingin Documentary Direction, was the recipient ofthe Bill Miskelly Postgraduate Award. The awardwas established by the family of Bill Miskellyand by the Northern Ireland Film and TelevisionCommission in memory of Bills long anddistinguished career both in the BBC and withAisling Films, as a producer, director and writer.........................................................................................................

NIFTC EDUCATION

As part of the Wider Literacy Strategy, NIFTCEducation coordinated a number of teacherprofessional development sessions acrossNorthern Ireland over the Autumn term. Courseswere provided in several locations and thesessions, delivered by the NIFTC-funded MovingImage Trainer, were aimed at teachers involved in

AYEARINTHELI


5/85CINI 22CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

LR: David Hanson MP, Arts Minister, Colin Anderson, Chairman NIFTC, Brendan Foley, Writer-Producer of JOHNNY WAS,and Lennox Lewis on location at Maysfield Leisure Centre

Nollaig Mac Aoidh, Sen Meallaigh & Colm MacAindreasain the drama series ADHARCA FADA

LR: Julieanne Crothers-Gibson of NIFTC, Hugh McGrory of

Make Films, Lou Madigan, Executive Vice President of SteinerStudios, NYC and Franziska-Maria Apprich of Make Films

ENDGAMEMicheal Sheen, Angeline Ball and Jason Hughes inDEAD LONG ENOUGH

Teachers come to grips with digital filmmaking at theAmma Centre

the new CCEA Moving Image Arts qualification atAS and A2-Level. Participants also included thoseconsidering teaching this innovative A-Level.........................................................................................................

FILM PRODUCTION BOOM

The year witnessed a huge tally of films beingfunded and shooting in NI among themJOHNNY WAS, WILDERNESS, 48 ANGELS, SMALLENGINE REPAIR, MIDDLETOWN, CLOSINGTHE RING, PUFFBALL and SHROOMS. The

industry was also impressed and the NIFTCenjoyed an unprecedented level of presscoverage, including a Screen Internationalfeature about Northern Ireland as a filmproduction hub, as well as an article in Variety.........................................................................................................

SHORT GONGS

AND ACCOLADES

Northern Ireland has always enjoyed a strongtradition of short film-making. This past yearhas seen an unprecedented number of NIFTC-supported shorts winning awards and accoladesfrom around the world.

JELLYBABY won the Best Comedy Short at theinaugural Golden Star Fest in Hollywood, BestShort Drama at the Celtic Film and TelevisionFestival in Cornwall, Best Short Film at Cinegael,

the Irish Film Festival in Montreal, Best ShortFilm at the Chlotrudis Film Festival in Cambridge,Massachusetts and was selected for theprestigious Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

THE LINNET enjoyed a gala screening at theChaplin Theatre, Hollywood, USA and has beenselected for the Short Film Corner at Cannes.

CHARLOTTES RED continued its winning streakat the Cinemagic Film Festival where it won BestShort Film for a Teenage Audience and at theEast Lansing (Michigan) Childrens Film Festival,the film picked up Best of the Fest Winner.

HORN OK PLEASE was selected for the worldsmost prestigious animation festival in Annecy aswell as winning Best Animated Short at FRAMES2006 in Mumbai, and the Best Animation andBest Editing Awards at the inaugural EuropeanIndependent Film Festival in Paris.

The trio of Gawain Morrison (producer), AnnaMcCaughtry (director) and Rosie Murdoch (writer)celebrated the success of their production 3SECONDS MY ARSE at the New York InternationalIndependent Film & Video Festival where it wonin the category of Best Dark Comedy for theShort Film Genre.

And it was a double celebration for GawainMorrison as he also was the producer of THE CAT,which was nominated to receive one of the topfour Remi Awards at the 39th WorldFest-Houston.........................................................................................................

IRISH LANGUAGE

BROADCAST FUND

The official launch of the NIFTCs Irish Language

Broadcast Fund took place at the OrmeauBaths Gallery in Belfast in September.

Initially established in the Good Friday Agreementin 1998, the Northern Ireland Film & TelevisionCommission was given responsibility for thefund in 2004. The priority for the NIFTC inadministering the fund is the audience in

FEOFTHENIFTCNorthern Ireland. However, the programmesfunded will reach an even wider audiencethrough the use of subtitles in English.The first ever Irish language drama series to beset and shot in Northern Ireland was broadcaston TG4 in January this year. ADHARCA FADA,which was funded by the recently establishedIrish Language Broadcast Fund and produced byMagma Films, was shot at Ballyward HuntingLodge near Castlewellan in Co. Down.........................................................................................................

BOLLYWOOD OR BUST!

A delegation of Indian film-makers visitedNorthern Ireland in March, bringing a touch ofspice to an already burgeoning film industry here.

Following a trade mission to India in January,in which NIFTCs CEO Richard Williams tookpart, the group of Bollywood producersmade a reciprocal trip, visiting possible filmlocations and meeting the local industry.

Organised in conjunction with theNorthern Ireland Tourist Board, the FAM(familiarisation) trip took in some of NIsmost famous and beautiful sights includingthe Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle,Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, the CausewayCoastal Route and the Mourne Mountains.........................................................................................................

NI MOVES CLOSER TO C4

In a move designed to further relationshipsbetween television producers from NorthernIreland and the Channel 4 commissioningeditors, the NIFTC co-hosted a dinner in

February at the C4 offices in London. Attendeesincluded Colin Anderson, Chairman NIFTC,Richard Williams, CEO NIFTC and producersfrom some of Northern Irelands top televisioncompanies - Waddell Media, DoubleBand,Green Inc, Westway and Wild Rover.

At this, the first of a series of plannedgatherings, a DVD showcasing the work ofthe production sector in Northern Ireland wasscreened. The event offered an opportunityto celebrate the work already produced here

and to discuss in a relaxed forum how thetelevision sector in Northern Ireland and thebroadcaster move forward in partnership.........................................................................................................

BBC INVESTS IN

NI COMPANIESThree companies from Northern Ireland wereawarded special grants from the BBC RegionalIndependents Development Fund 2006. Thefund of 1m has been established to supportprogramme development from indies basedbeyond the M25. The cash awards will besupplemented by fast-tracked access to keyBBC commissioners and regular meetings toprogress ideas. Over 133 companies appliedfor the funding, originally short-listed to 43.This list was then broken down to 23 afterthe short-listed companies were invited tosubmit more detailed business plans tosupport their bid. The successful NI companiesare Green Park for Drama, DoubleBand forFactual Entertainment and GreenInc for Entertainment.


6/8

locations

6 CINI 22CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

NORTHERN IRELAND LOCATIONSNorthern Ireland is the most compact 5,196 square miles of back lotin the world. Everything from beautiful coastlines to idyllic villages,through to bustling cities filled with old and new architecture.

But as everyone knows, the main driving force for any film makeris hard cash. Northern Irelands location in-between mainland UKand the Republic of Ireland makes it a perfect place for producersto consider, availing of tax incentives from both countries.

The NIFTC has a unique tool at their disposal, the Film IndustryLocation Manager database (FILM) the largest locations databasein Ireland. The database contains stills of over 1,000 Northern Irishlocations and can be tailored for producers specific requirements.

For further information on locations, funding and co-productionopportunities, along with the practicalities of filming in NI visitwww.niftc.co.ukor contact Anne Quinn on [email protected]

BELFASTSurrounded by verdant hills, Belfast nestles in three valleys at the western end of Belfast Lough.Although predominately Victorian in architecture, Belfast has undergone considerable change inthe last few years. Alongside the classic imperial structures sit some of the most striking examplesof modern architecture.

THE CAUSEWAY AND ANTRIM COAST

The Antrim coastline is simply one of the most stunning landscapes in the world. Offering unspoiltbeaches, stunning seascapes, ancient castles, hidden harbours, breathtaking vistas and the jewelin the crown the Giants Causeway World Heritage Site. The towering cliffs of northern Antrimoverlook an extraordinary promontory volcanic activity 50-60 million years ago has left behindover 40,000 massive basaltic columns, each formed with geometric precision.

Epic struggles between warring Gaelic clans caused many great castles like Dunluce andDunseverick to be built high on the cliffs. Their ruins still cling precariously to the basalt, asthe erosive waters of the Atlantic crash far below.

FERMANAGH CAVE AND LAKELAND

360 million years in the making, the carboniferous limestone of Fermanagh hides a unique andstunningly beautiful landscape. Rivers flow over harsh, lonely peatlands before disappearing at thebase of spectacular cliffs or into the darkness of potholes. Reyfad, the deepest pothole in Ireland isover 180 metres deep and the world renowned Marble Arch is open to the public as a show cave.The dry valleys, deep gorges, limestone pavement and swallow holes remain virtually unknown.An entire county, more water than land, Fermanaghs lakes and rivers remain a well kept secret.Upper Lough Erne is a reedy maze of islands, creeks and secret shores. Many of the loughs 60islands are uninhabited now but the ancient island monasteries of Cleenish and Lisgoole wereonce amongst the most important in Ireland. As the Erne flows through the island town ofEnniskillen, it takes on a different character. The Lower Lough is best viewed from the sweepingCliffs of Magho where Boa Island can be seen, home to the mysterious Janus Idols. The castles ofMonea, Cauldwell, Tully, Magherameelan, Crevenish, Portora, Archdale and Enniskillen provideda formidable ring of steel around the lough and the ancient monasteries of Devenish andInishmacsaint stand like sentries on now peaceful islands.

MOURNE MOUNTAINSThe Kingdom of Mourne provides a rugged and austere landscape, where the craggy mountainssweep down to unspoilt beaches and picturesque harbours. Within a 25 mile diameter, the granitehills dominate the skyline. CS Lewis once said that the view over County Down to the MourneMountains inspired him to create the magical kingdom of Narnia. Rich flat farmland in thenorth slowly transforms into undulating drumlins which, in turn, become foothills to the granitebatholiths of the Mournes.

CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGESpanning a chasm some eighty feet deep is the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, its constructiononce consisted of a single rope hand rail and widely spaced slats which the fishermen wouldtraverse with salmon caught off the island. The single handrail was subsequently replaced by a twohand railed bridge, the current, caged bridge was installed by the National Trust during Easter of2000 as a further safety measure.


7/8

information

7CINI 22CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

NORTHERN IRELAND:

USEFUL INFORMATIONABOUT THENIFTCMISSION STATEMENT

The NIFTCs mission is to accelerate the development of a dynamic and sustainablefilm and television industry in Northern Ireland by integrating industrial, educationaland cultural policies and actions.

PRODUCTION

Support the development and production offilms in NI and to encourage private sectorinvestment in the industry.

PROMOTION

Promote awareness of our locations, crewsand facilities nationally and internationally,and promote films produced in NI.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Seek to maximise the public sector resourcesand private sector expertise available to ourproduction companies to develop sustainablebusinesses.

TRAINING

Ensure that the training needs of ourindependent production companies andfreelances are met, and ensure that producersengage local trainees when appropriate.

INFORMATION

Develop and provide a comprehensiveinformation service, in print and digitally, on allaspects of film and television here and in Europe.

EDUCATION

Work with policy makers here and in GB to embedthe study of the moving image and the creative useof digital technology in our curriculum.

HERITAGE

Promote access to our audiovisual heritage byexploiting digital technologies.

FILM EXHIBITION

Seek to maximise the public sector resourcesand private sector expertise availableto the specialised film exhibitors andfestivals here to enable them to make asignificant contribution to film culture andmoving image education and training.

MEDIASERVICE

NORTHERN

IRELANDThe MEDIA Plus programme is aninitiative established by the EC. MEDIA

Plus covers a six year period between2001 and 2006 and has been established

as a financial and promotional support

mechanism for the audiovisual industriesin member states of the EU.

MEDIA Plus provides financialassistance in the following areas:

zTrainingzPromotion & Market AccesszDevelopmentzFestivalszDistributionzPilot Projects for Digital Initiatives

Calls for proposals, guidelines andapplication forms for support under theabove categories are available throughindependently established offices throughoutEurope MEDIA Desks and Antennae.MEDIA Service Northern Ireland has beenestablished with the assistance of MEDIAPlus, UK MEDIA Desk, UK Film Council and

the NIFTC. Cian Smyth is MEDIA Coordinatorfor Northern Ireland and is based at theNIFTC where you can contact him.

Feel free to contact Cian at [email protected] or visit www.mediadesk.co.ukfor furtherinformation.

CLIMATE

The Northern Irish climate is mild and temperate. It is inclined to be breezy, with sudden changes fromcloud to sunny skies and vice versa. It experiences clement winters, very little snow, and warm summers.

19712000 AVERAGES

MONTH

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

YEAR

SUNSHINE

hrs

41.0

60.1

90.0

140.8

175.9

150.9

139.6

138.0

113.1

85.5

52.8

31.9

1219.7

RAINFALL

mm

119.1

86.5

93.4

70.6

68.1

72.1

73.2

90.8

94.4

114.5

110.5

118.5

1111.6

DAYS OF

RAINFALL

>1mm

17.8

14.1

16.4

12.4

12.6

12.4

13.1

13.9

14.4

16.4

16.7

16.9

177.0

MAX

TEMPoC

6.7

7.1

8.9

11.1

14.2

16.5

18.4

18.1

15.7

12.5

9.2

7.5

12.2

MIN

TEMPoC

1.2

1.2

2.3

3.3

5.6

8.3

10.6

10.2

8.3

6.1

3.1

2.0

5.2

DAYS OF

AIR FROST

10.2

8.9

6.3

4.1

1.2

0.1

0.0

0.0

0.2

1.1

5.3

7.7

45.1

41

19

110

73

41

40

80

71

40

19

110

61

80

110

110

147

71

73

61

147

Armagh

Belfast

Intl Airport

Dublin

LDerry

Armagh

Belfast

IntlAirport

Dublin

LDerry

APPROX DISTANCE IN MILES

(x 1.63 TO CONVERT TO KM)

DISTANCES

Northern Ireland is the most compact 5,196square miles of back lot in the world. Frommountains, glens, lakes, loughs, caves, cliffs andbeaches to cities, towns, villages and hamlets, itsall within easy reach of your schedule and budget.


8/8

festivals

NORTHERN IRELAND FILM AND TELEVISION COMMISSION3rd Floor, Alfred House, 21 Alfred Street, Belfast BT2 8ED

T:028 9023 2444 F:028 9023 9918

E:[email protected] W:www.niftc.co.uk

Honorary PresidentKenneth Branagh

ChairmanRJC Anderson OBEChief ExecutiveRichard Williams

Designwww.whitenoisestudios.com

The NIFTCs office and IT equipment is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern IrelandIf you do not wish to receive CINI please email [email protected]

Richard Williams Chief Executive [email protected] Crothers-Gibson Director of Policy Development [email protected]

Andrew Reid Head of Production [email protected] Quinn Production Co-ordinator [email protected] Geary Production Co-ordinator [email protected] Morrow Development Co-ordinator [email protected] Doogan Systems Administrator [email protected]

Bernard McCloskey Head of Education [email protected] Quinn Archive Development Officer [email protected] McCaffrey-Lau Archive Outreach Officer [email protected] Andrews Education Development Officer [email protected]

Mire Killoran Head of Irish Language Broadcast Fund [email protected] N Laighin Irish Language Broadcast Fund Assistant [email protected]

Moyra Lock Head of Marketing [email protected] Larkin Marketing Officer [email protected] Fisher Database Information Officer [email protected]

Linda Martin Head of Finance [email protected] Biggerstaff Trainee Management Accountant [email protected]

Elsie Brown Funding Programmes Manager [email protected] Wright Funding Programmes Co-ordinator [email protected] Kelly PA to CEO and Director of Policy Development [email protected] Heron Receptionist [email protected]

Cian Smyth Media Co-ordinator NI [email protected]

NIFTC STAFF

Want to get frequent updates from the NIFTC?

To keep up-to-date with the latest industry news register for our e-Zine, which is available viaemail. If you would like to receive the e-Zine please visit www.niftc.co.ukto register.

NORTHERN IRELANDSFILM FESTIVALS

BELFAST FILM FESTIVALwww.belfastfilmfestival.org

March 2007

Northern Irelands Capital city presents world cinema to its audiences with additional focuses ondocumentary and political themes, workshops and masterclasses for local industry and short film.The festival also offers a competition for Irish short film.

Contact:Belfast Film Festival, 3rd Floor 23 Donegall Street, Belfast BT1 2FF, Northern IrelandT: 028 9032 5913 F: 028 9032 9397 E: [email protected]

FOYLE FILM FESTIVALwww.foylefilmfestival.com

10 19 November 2006

Foyle Film Festival is Northern Irelands leading platform for short film and presents worldcinema to audiences in Derry and the North West region of Ireland. Additional focuses andworkshops concentrate on film education, animation, digital cinema, special effects and gaming.The festival also offers competitions for shorts, documentaries, animation and digital features.

Call for entries opens:8 May Deadline for entries closes: 4 SeptemberContact:Foyle Film Festival, The Nerve Centre, 7-8 Magazine Street,Derry BT48 6HJ, Northern IrelandT: +(44) 028 71 260 562 F: +(44) 028 71 371 738 E: [email protected]

CINEMAGIC WORLD SCREEN FESTIVAL

FOR YOUNG PEOPLEwww.cinemagic.org.uk

17 November 3 December 2006

Cinemagic is Irelands largest festival for young audiences while also leading the UK with its innovativeprogramming of foreign film, television and workshops for young people. Cinemagic uses the magic offilm and all forms of moving image to entertain, educate and inspire. The 2005 festival will see its firstawards ceremony for young filmmaking talent alongside competitions for shorts and feature films.

Call for entries opens:1 March Deadline for entries closes:1 August

Contact:Cinemagic, 49 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JL, Northern IrelandT: +44 2890 311 900 F: +44 2890 310 709 E: [email protected]

MID-ULSTER FILM FESTIVALwww.midulsterfilmfestival.com

5 7 May 2006

The Mid-Ulster Film Festival is about bringing together filmmakers from all overIreland and beyond. Thus giving us all a fantastic opportunity to celebrate with aweekend of film, in a unique and magical setting. The festival is also different in thatit is a non-competitive and aimed mostly at up and coming film makers.

Call for entries opens:TBC Deadline for entries closes:TBC

Contact: An Creagan Centre, Creggan, Omagh, Co Tyrone BT79 9AF, Northern IrelandTel: 028 8076 1112 E: [email protected]

Colin Anderson OBE, Chairman Chairman Anderson Spratt Group Holdings

Roger Austin Head of School of Education at the University of UlsterGavin Boyd Chief Executive, Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and AssessmentTerry Loane Screenwriter/DirectorJoe Mahon Producer/Director/Broadcaster, Westway Film ProductionsJohn McCann Managing Director, Ulster TelevisionMaria McCann Managing Director, McCann PR, BelfastAlastair McIlwain Director of Animation, Banjax StudiosPhilip Morrow Managing Director, Wild Rover ProductionsNik Powell Director, National Film and Television SchoolPeter Quinn Economic and Financial ConsultantMairead Regan Human Resources Director, UTVPatrick Spence Head of Drama, BBC Northern Ireland

NIFTC BOARD

TOP: Heres Johnny!! Belfast drivers enjoy THE SHINING on the big screen

ABOVE LEFT:Joan Burney, Chief Executive, Cinemagic, Bernard Latham, HOLLYOAKS, Niall Wright, MICKYBO & ME,Councillor Bernadette Kelly, Belfast City Council, John Joe McNeill, MICKYBO & ME, Richard Williams, Chief Executive, NIFTC,at the OLIVER Twist Premiere

ABOVE RIGHT: Seagate Technologys Ian OLeary, special guests Andrea Corr, and Director Richard Raymond, andFestival Director Shauna Kelpie

Documents

The Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission