New Wave of Talent lined up for Short Cuts 10th Anniversary
Celebrating ten years of launching new Irish filmmaking talent, the Bord Scannan na hEireann /the Irish Film Board and RTÉ SHORT CUTS film scheme has commissioned 5 new titles for 2004.Over the past 10 years, the SHORT CUTS scheme has proved to be an invaluable launching pad for some of Ireland’s most talented directors and actors.
Damien O’Donnell’s award winning 35 ASIDE was made under the first SHORT CUTS scheme in 1994 and led to him directing the box office hit EAST IS EAST. Director John Moore, who got his start on BSÉ/IFB-backed short HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES, went onto helm BEHIND ENEMY LINES starring Gene Hackman, and is presently shooting the remake of FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX for Fox.
Oscar nominated Kirsten Sheridan (Best Screenplay for IN AMERICA) made her directorial debut with THE CASE Of MAJELLA McGINTY in the 1999 round of SHORT CUTS. MTV nominated actor Cillian Murphy made his acting debut in a SHORT CUT film and other international stars such as Colm Meaney, Brendan Gleeson and John Hurt have all featured in Irish shorts over the past 10 years.
This year’s new wave of SHORT CUT talent will premiere at the Cork Film Festival in October.
Brian Lynch, who wrote episodes for the BAFTA award-winning series CUSTERS LAST STAND has written Igloo Films’ SUNBURN which started production this week with Jennifer Keegan directing. Keegan and Lynch last teamed up on the award-winning short CACA MILIS, which starred Brendan Gleeson. Former ‘Head to Toe’ presenter Keegan, has also previously directed a number of documentaries and the BSE/IFB funded Short Short THE SACRED AND THE PROFANE. SUNBURN is being shot on location in Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow.
Today FM and Q102 commercials director Brian O’Malley has just completed production on his SHORT CUT entitled SCREWBACK. Produced by Red Rage Productions, SCREWBACK was shot on location around city centre Dublin, Skerries, and Eastwall.
COLD FEET cinematographer James Maher will co-direct PREY ALONE with commercials director Stephen St Leger later this month. Maher and St Leger have also both directed a number of successful commercials campaigns. Fantastic Films are producing this short, having just finished co-producing Alan Gilsenan’s low budget feature TIMBUKTU earlier this year.
Ian Power, who’s first short BUSKERS was selected for official competition in Edinburgh, commences production on his SHORT CUT, KELVIN KIND in May. It will shoot in Dublin and Ardmore Studios and is produced by Fastnet Films who previously produced the low budget film THE HALO EFFECT starring Stephen Rea.
Psychological thriller RECOIL is also scheduled to go into production at the end of May. This short will be directed by Billy McCannon and will be produced by Jonathan Cummins.
“Its thrilling and encouraging to see the new talent of tomorrow getting involved with the SHORT CUTS initiative and we are proud to support the continued development of Irish filmmakers”, said Brendan McCarthy, BSE/IFB Head of Production & Development.