New Irish Screenwriting Conference ‘Give Me Direction’ to Feature Leading Irish and International Writers
Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) in partnership with the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF) are delighted to announce GIVE ME DIRECTION, a new conference focusing on the art and science of writing for the screen.Attended by a mix of Irish and international guests, GIVE ME DIRECTION will be an opportunity to champion great and original writing for the screen and to deepen the IFB's engagement in addressing industry concerns. Guests confirmed for the day include Hollywood legend Shane Black (Lethal Weapon), Paul Fraser (A Room for Romeo Brass, Somers Town), Eran Kolirin (The Band's Visit), Conor McPherson (The Eclipse), Damien O'Donnell (East is East, Heartlands), Tanya Seghatchian (UK Film Council), Pat McCabe (The Butcher Boy, Breakfast on Pluto), Roddy Doyle (When Brendan Met Trudy), Kirsten Sheridan (In America) and Mark O'Rowe (Boy A, Intermission).
The event will include a public interview with Shane Black, plus a wide-range of informal discussions and sessions. Amongst them we have DON'T GET WEIRD ON ME: a debate on the limitations and realities of arthouse and commercial cinema; LIVE LONG & PROSPER: a hard headed discussion on making a living as a scriptwriter: GRAB ‘EM BY THE THROAT: a focus on how to get the best out of your collaborators; and HYPHENS: a conversation on what it takes to move between formats as a writer with input from a range of writers with a background working in of theatre, film, and TV. There will also be a showcase of the best of new Irish writing talent with a reading of scenes from Memorabilia written by Kevin Barry and currently in development with the IFB.
Commenting on the event Andrew Meehan, Development Executive, IFB said "All writers love to throw themselves headlong into the pursuit of a really good debate, and it's the IFB's responsibility to listen to those issues of burning interest. For one thing, we think seeing the screenwriters we most admire up close and personal will be inspiring. Screenwriting can be as disheartening as it is rewarding. So, more than anything, GIVE ME DIRECTION is a conference of ideas on the best ways to forge ahead as a writer, because it's our view that a mere script is useless if it stays on the shelf."
Grainne Humphries, Festival Director JDIFF said "This international conference is a celebration of some of the best screenwriting from Ireland and around the world. It enables a community of writers to share their knowledge and experience; to learn from the most talented and experienced peers as well as to create opportunities and industry links for writers starting out on their career. Alongside our screenwriting initiative ‘Write Here, Write Now', the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival is delighted to partner with the Irish Film Board on this important event."
WHEN: 4th & 5th June 2009
WHERE: The Light House Cinema & The Shelbourne Hotel
TIME: 4th June 16.30 - 21.00 / 5th June 9.30 - 18.00