Three Irish Productions Announced For Telluride Film Festival
The world premiere of three much anticipated Irish films will take place at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado this weekend. Two feature films, VIVA by Paddy Breathnach and Lenny Abrahamson's ROOM will screen in front of an audience for the first time, along with Ken Wardrop's feature documentary, MOM AND ME. All three were supported by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board. Irish films account for three of only 27 films in the exclusive festival's main programme slate this year.
The Telluride Film Festival is unique in that it does not announce the programme until the day before the Festival commences. Over the years it has hosted world premieres of such films as JUNO, THE LIVES OF OTHERS and BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. Irish films which have debuted at Telluride have included Gerard Barrett's PILGRIM HILL (2012) and Lance Daly's KISSES (2008)
James Hickey, CEO Irish Film Board commented; ‘‘It's wonderful to see three new Irish feature films premiere at such a revered and exclusive international festival as Telluride. Some of the world's most renowned films make their debut there every year. It is a tremendous honour to have Irish cinema represented at Telluride once again and congratulations to the teams involved".
Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (Frank, What Richard Did) and produced by Element Pictures, 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.
Directed by Ken Wardrop (His & Hers) and produced by Venom, MOM AND ME is a creative documentary that delicately challenges the familiar love story shared between a son and his mother. It is a story that reveals comedy in the everyday and misery on some other days.
Written by Mark O'Halloran, directed by Paddy Breathnach and produced by Treasure Entertainment, VIVA follows Jesus, an eighteen-year-old Cuban who is lost and struggling to realize his true identity.