Leading International Comedy Writers to Descend on Dublin for Give Me Direction Screenwriting Conference
Some of the world's finest comedy screenwriting talent will share their experiences, advice and the occasional amusing story at the GIVE ME DIRECTION screenwriting conference, which takes place next week on June 17th and 18th.
Organised by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB), in partnership with the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF), GIVE ME DIRECTION will focus on the how and why of writing comedy for the screen.
Together, Lenny Abrahamson (Adam & Paul, Garage), Sharon Horgan (Pulling, Angelo's) and Pat McCabe (Breakfast on Pluto, The Butcher Boy) have curated the event, which will follow an informal mixed format of panels, screenings and interviews.
Guests at the conference will hear from the legendary Bobby Farrelly (Dumb & Dumber; There's Something About Mary), Nicole Holofcener (Friends With Money; Please Give), Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong (Peep Show; Four Lions), Alice Lowe and Jacqueline Wright (Dead Happy, Hot Fuzz, Jackal Films) and Stephen Woolley (Made In Dagenham; Perrier's Bounty).
Screenings of Bobby Farrelly's classic comedy KINGPIN and Nicole Holofcener's upcoming comedy PLEASE GIVE will close each day at the conference. Bobby Farrelly will talk with Lenny Abrahamson before his film KINGPIN, the slapstick 1996 comedy starring Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid and Bill Murray.
Having screened at the Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals earlier this year, PLEASE GIVE stars Catherine Keener, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt and Rebecca Hall. The comedy is Nicole's take on modern life's contradictions, good intentions and shaky moral bearings. This exclusive screening will coincide with the release of the film in selected cinemas nationwide. Nicole will appear in conversation with Sharon Horgan earlier in the day.
GIVE ME DIRECTION aims to champion great and original writing for the screen and is proudly supported by the National Film School at IADT and Huston School of Film and Digital Media.
Limited tickets for this two day event are still available for €50 each on http://www.jdiff.com/
The running order for the event is as follows:
Thursday 17th June Cineworld, Parnell Street, Dublin 1
13.30 - 14.00: Registration
14.00 - 14.15: Introduction By: Andrew Meehan, Irish Film Board
14.15 - 15.45: The Fine Art of Being Dumb:
Interview with Bobby Farrelly hosted by Lenny
Abrahamson
16.15 - 18.00: Special Screening - KINGPIN
Friday 18th June The Morrison Hotel, Dublin 1
10.00 - 11.15: "Definitely On The Skinny Side of Bony"
In Conversation with Nicole Holofcener
Hosted by: Sharon Horgan
11.30 - 12.30: From the Scala To The Oscars:
In The Company Of Vampires, Irish Rebels and
Transvestites with Stephen Woolley
Chaired by: Pat McCabe
12.30 - 14.00: Lunch
14.00 - 15.00: Short Cuts to Screenwriting:
Interview with comedienne Alice Lowe and
director Jacqueline Wright featuring screenings
of their award winning short comedy films.
Introduced by: Sharon Horgan
15.15 - 16.30: "Taboo Busting Semi Incomprehensible Pep-Talk"
An Interview with Sam Bain & Jesse Armstrong
Chaired by: Alan Maher, Irish Film Board
Cineworld, Parnell Street, Dublin 1
17.00 - 19.00: Special Screening - PLEASE GIVE