6 Irish Features to Screen at Toronto International Film Festival 2015
It was announced today that Simon Fitzmaurice's MY NAME IS EMILY will screen at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). This brings to six the number of films supported by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board in the programme for the prestigious festival, which takes place next month.
The line-up also includes Lenny Abrahamson's hotly anticipated ROOM, adapted by Emma Donoghue from her novel; John Crowley's BROOKLYN, based on Colm Tóibín's book, starring Saoirse Ronan and Domhnall Gleeson; THE LOBSTER, starring Colin Farrell and Rachel Weiss; BEING AP, a feature documentary on the legendary jockey Tony McCoy and Polish co-production 11 MINUTES.
TIFF has become the launching pad for the best of international cinema, and is recognised as the most important film festival in the world after Cannes.
James Hickey, CEO of the Irish Film Board commented: ‘2015 has been a remarkable year for Irish film at major international film festivals. I'm delighted to see this success continue with this diverse selection of films screening at Toronto. Once again, Ireland, Irish film and Irish film talent are being showcased on an important world stage. Congratulations to all the productions involved.'
Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (Frank, What Richard Did), ROOM was adapted by Emma Donoghue from her own novel. Told through the eyes of five-year-old-Jack (Jacob Tremblay), ROOM is a thrilling and emotional tale that celebrates the resilience and power of the human spirit.
THE LOBSTER, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it was the winner of the Jury Prize. A blackly funny love story set in a near future where finding love is a matter of life or death, THE LOBSTER was filmed in Co. Kerry and stars Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly and Ben Whishaw.
Starring Saoirse Ronan (Atonement) and Domhnall Gleeson (Frank), John Crowley's BROOKLYN is adapted by Nick Hornby from Colm Tóibín's novel. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where it was met with critical acclaim. Brooklyn begins in 1950's rural Ireland, where opportunities are scarce, particularly for young women like Eilis Lacey. When given the opportunity to emigrate to New York, Eilis knows she must go, leaving behind her mother, sister and home for the first time.
Directed by Simon Fitzmaurice, MY NAME IS EMILY tells the story of two teenagers who embark on a road trip adventure across Ireland. The film stars Evanna Lynch (Harry Potter), Michael Smiley (The Lobster, Kill List, A Field in England) and newcomer George Webster (City of Dreamers, Blood Moon).
BEING AP is an intimate feature documentary portrait of AP McCoy - the greatest jump jockey of all time. This documentary of the recently-retired jockey was directed by Anthony Wonke and produced by Alan Maher, Nick Ryle and John Woollcombe.
11 MINUTES was directed by Jerzy Skolimowski, and follows the same 11 minutes in the lives of several different characters representing aspects of modern society. It will also screen at the Venice Film Festival in September. Along with THE LOBSTER and ROOM, 11 MINUTES is the third Element Pictures production in this year's TIFF programme.
The TIFF programme also includes an Irish short film, VIOLET. This is the cautionary tale of a young girl who despises her reflection. Tired of the abuse, Violet's reflection decides she's not going to take it anymore. Directed by Maurice Joyce, VIOLET forms part of the Short Cuts Programme.
The 40th edition of Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 10th - 20th 2015.