Irish Films KISSES chosen to screen at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival
The Irish film KISSES directed by Lance Daly (The Halo Effect, Last Days in Dublin), with funding from the Irish Film Board, will receive it's North American premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival which takes place from 4th-13th September 2008. The Toronto International Film Festival ranks among the most distinguished international film festivals in the world.KISSES will screen in the Vanguard section of the festival. Vanguard spotlights bold filmmakers that run ahead of the pack. This programme is dedicated to irreverent, stylistically playful films that challenge the boundaries of social discourse. Aimed toward adventurous audiences who delight in movies that push the envelopes of technology, culture, and sexuality, these edgy films have a distinct, youthful feel.
KISSES picked up the coveted Irish film award for Best Irish Film at the Galway Film Fleadh where it received its Irish premiere last month. This prize has previously been awarded to Irish films ADAM AND PAUL, PAVEE LACKEEN and INTERMISSION. The film has also already received international recognition when selected to screen at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland last weekend.
KISSES stars newcomers 12 year old Kelly O'Neill and Shane Curry as Kylie and Dylan, two young kids who decide to run away from their dysfunctional homes and spend a night on the streets of Dublin's inner city. Produced by Macdara Kelleher with Fastnet Films (The Halo Effect, Tonight is Cancelled), the film was funded from Bord Scannan na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB), Film I Vast, the BCI , TV3, and Zentropa. Element Distribution have also come on board the project and are set to release KISSES in Irish cinemas later this year.
KISSES director Lance Daly said "We are very excited to be chosen for Toronto. It's a great opportunity for the film to be invited to such an important event. It will also be a great experience for our two young stars to see where their hard work can lead them, that is if they get the time off school to attend..."
The Toronto International Film Festival is an important festival for breaking into the North American market and receives over 4000 submissions annually. Previous Irish films selected to screen at the festival include Garage (Lenny Abramson), Breakfast on Pluto (Neil Jordan), Kings (Tom Collins) and Pavee Lackeen (Perry Ogden).