JOHN MCDONNELL NAMED IRISH “PRODUCER ON THE MOVE” FOR THE 2006 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
Oscar-winning producer John McDonnell, from Fantastic Films has been named as the 2006 Irish Producer on the Move, by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (BSÉ/IFB), for the Cannes Film Festival (17th - 28th May).Producers on the Move is an EU initiative organised by European Film Promotion, in which each European country selects one up and coming producer, undertaking to introduce and help establish them in the international film industry.
McDonnell’s credits include the multi-award winning feature film Song for a Raggy Boy, directed by Aisling Walsh and more recently he produced 48 ANGELS directed by Marion Comer, which is currently in post production. John was also a co-producer on Martin McDonagh’s debut short film SIX SHOOTER, which scooped the 2006 Academy® award for Best Short Film and is currently working on the latest John Boorman film A TIGER’S TAIL starring Brendan Gleeson (HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE) and Kim Cattral (SEX IN THE CITY)
McDonnell started out in the film industry as a location manager working on films including INTO THE WEST (Mike Newell), IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER (Jim Sheridan) and BRAVEHEART (Mel Gibbson). He set up Fantastic Films in 2000 and currently has a slate of films in development including PADDY FORD’S FRIENDS written and to be directed by PJ Dillion, OUTCAST, written by Colm and Tom McCarthy, to be directed by Colm McCarthy and CARRYING DAVID written by Aisling Walsh and Glen McCrory and to be directed by Aisling Walsh, which should go into production in early 2007.
“John’s credits speak for themselves. He is a resourceful producer with a range of interesting projects currently in development, all looking for international finance. The Producer on the Move scheme is proven to be highly effective and provides a unique opportunity for John to make contact with prospective business partners at a high level in the international film industry.” said Simon Perry, Chief Executive, BSÉ/IFB.
Nathalie Lichtenthaeler (COWBOYS AND ANGELS, THE FRONT LINE), Michael Casey (FREEZE FRAME), Paul Donovan (SPIN THE BOTTLE), Tristan Orpen-Lynch (SONG FOR A RAGGY BOY, SMALL ENGINE REPAIR), David McLoughlin (DEAD BODIES) and Marina Hughes (Venus Productions) are all previous Irish producers selected for the Producer on the Move scheme.