Ireland Week Plays Host to Inaugural connect353 Conference as LA Places Spotlight on Irish Creative Talent
Posted: 19th October 2017
Ireland Week — a week-long event of conferences and cultural festivities in Los Angeles showcasing and promoting Irish creativity to the world — will today (19 October), play host to the connect353 conference, which will feature a series of panel discussions with leaders from the trade, film, TV, animation and technology sectors.
Forming the backbone of Ireland Week, connect353, will see a unique presentation from Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson and producer Ram Bergman on their experience of filming in Ireland as well as a Q&A with Irish actor Chris O’Dowd (Calvary, Moone Boy, Bridesmaids), hosted by Irish producer Alan Maher (Song of Granite, Forever Pure). The spotlight will remain firmly on Irish creative talent as connect353 will also reveal the highly anticipated Hollywood Reporter: Ten To Watch; featuring a selection of Irish filmmaking talent chosen by the industry bible. Other highlights will include a discussion with Cartoon Saloon’s Nora Twomey and Paul Young on the making of Twomey’s debut animated feature, The Breadwinner as well as a panel with Irish Ambassador to the United States, Dan Mulhall, entitled Ireland and the World Economy, which will address international trade, finance and the Brexit effect.
With direct connectivity between Los Angeles and Dublin, Ireland Week aims to capitalise by making this event a two way international superhighway. Ireland displays its talents abroad while encouraging inward investment, tourism, jobs and cultural awareness.
A unique blend of conference and culture, Ireland Week has already seen a varied program rolling out around LA, encompassing the myriad of cultural layers that make up Ireland, past, present and future. Music From Ireland has already showcased a number of prominent Irish music acts and star of the IFB-supported doc, The Queen of Ireland, Panti Bliss will perform several shows in downtown LA to close the week of festivities.
connect353 is taking place in The Regal Theatre @ LA Live and more info can be found here.
Ireland Week is supported by a broad range of government agencies including The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board, Culture Ireland, Creative Ireland, IDA Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Music From Ireland, Board Bia, and the nonprofit American Chamber of Commerce Ireland and the California Irish Legislative Caucus.