BSÉ/IFB Partners with Film Four Lab for First Film from Multi Award-Winning Playwright Martin McDonagh
Renowned Irish playwright Martin McDonagh is making his directorial debut into the film world with Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (BSÉ/IFB)-backed SIX SHOOTER, a 30 minute film for Film Four Lab.McDonagh, who has recently won the prestigious Olivier Award for Best New Play for the second year running, for his play The Pillow Man, first gained recognition with the multi-award winning Beauty Queen of Leenane. McDonagh’s work has been sold to over 40 countries and has been translated into over 28 languages, gracing stages from Broadway to Sydney to the West End. SIX-SHOOTER will be his first transition into film.
An imaginative black comedy, SIX SHOOTER is the first collaboration between BSE/IFB, Ireland’s national screen agency, and Film Four Lab, the experimental division of Film Four dedicated to working with first time writers and directors.
McDonagh has brought together an impressive cast to work on this project with Brendan Gleeson (TROY, COLD MOUNTAIN) playing the lead and Ruaidhri Conroy (HART’S WAR, WHEN THE SKY FALLS), David Wilmot (LAWS OF ATTRACTION, INTERMISSION), and Aisling O’Sullivan (THE ACTORS, THE WAR ZONE) in supporting roles.
Producers Kenton Allen and Mia Bays have extensive experience in film and television production and distribution. Allen is a veteran of comedy production whose credits include BAFTA award-winning THE ROYLE FAMILY and Bays has worked in film distribution for over 13 years, before setting up her own production company Missing in Action Films last year.
“We are delighted to be partnering Film Four Lab on this exciting project which brings this wonderfully talented playwright into the film world,” said BSE/IFB CEO Mark Woods. “We hope this proves the first of several creatively energetic collaborations with Film Four Lab.”
SIX SHOOTER, which will be broadcast on Channel 4, is produced by Missing in Action Films, Funny Farm Film & Television and Fantastic Films and co-funded by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board and Film Four Lab.