Irish Film Celebrated at the International Thessaloniki Film Festival
The International Thessaloniki Film Festival, running this week in Northern Greece, has organised a special celebration of Irish film with a particular focus on the new generation of Irish filmmakers.Feature films screening during the event include Lenny Abrahamson’s ADAM & PAUL, MICKYBO & ME directed by Terry Loane, Liz Gill’s GOLDFISH MEMORY and THE HALO EFFECT directed by Lance Daly. The multi-award winning PAVEE LACKEEN, directed by Perry Ogden has also been selected for International competition at the festival, competing for the Golden Alexander Award for Best Film.
A round table panel event focusing on the Irish industry has been organised as part of the Co-production Forum event at the festival. Teresa McGrane, Irish Film Board Deputy CEO and Mark Mulqueen, CEO of the Irish Film Institute will be sitting on the panel, together with Irish producers Catherine Tiernan (INSIDE I’M DANCING, MICKYBO AND ME) and Liz Gill (GOLDFISH MEMORY).
The International Thessaloniki Film Festival has become the Balkans' primary showcase for the work of new and emerging filmmakers, as well as the leading film festival in the region. Nearly one thousand guests are expected to be present at the festival, including 70 foreign film critics and journalists plus their local counterparts.
This special focus is part of the REEL IRELAND touring programme of Irish films, launched earlier this month by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue, TD. Funded by Culture Ireland, REEL IRELAND is aimed at developing international audiences for Irish film at festivals and cultural events all over the world. Other locations on the REEL IRELAND tour include New South Wales (Australia), Tanzania (Africa), Lisbon (Portugal), Boston (USA), Prague (Czech) and Tel Aviv (Israel).
“The Thessaloniki Film Festival is an important event on the international film festival circuit and an excellent platform to highlight Irish films to an international audience. We’re delighted to be involved with this project and hope that the REEL IRELAND programme will continue to develop international audiences for Irish talent” said Teresa McGrane BSÉ/IFB Deputy CEO.