IRISH SHORT FILM ‘SIX SHOOTER’ NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR
The Irish short film SIX SHOOTER, directed by renowned Irish playwright Martin McDonagh, has been nominated for an Academy Award® in the Best Live Action Short Film category.An imaginative black comedy, SIX SHOOTER boasts an impressive cast of Irish talent and stars Brendan Gleeson (STUDS, BREAKFAST ON PLUTO) in the lead role 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. The film was shot on location in Wicklow, Waterford and Roslare.
SIX SHOOTER was produced by Missing in Action Films, Funny Farm Film & Television and Fantastic Films and co-financed by the Irish Film Board, Ireland’s national screen agency and Film Four Lab, the experimental division of Film Four dedicated to working with first time writers and directors. SIX SHOOTER is the first collaboration between BSE/IFB and Film Four Lab with the aim of developing new film talent.
“This is fantastic news and we congratulate all involved with this hugely successful short film. The recognition of Irish filmmakers at this level once again illustrates the high standard of new filmmaking talent Ireland has to offer” said Simon Perry, CEO of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board.
McDonagh, who 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 is McDonagh’s first transition into film.
Irish producer John McDonnell’s credits include the upcoming Irish film 48 ANGELS and the multi-award winning SONG FOR A RAGGY BOY. Fantastic films was set up in 2000 to produce quality film and television projects by John and Anne Marie Mc Donnell. 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.
The 78th Academy Awards will take place in Los Angeles on March 5th 2006.