FILM AND TELEVISION NEWS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND ISSUE 22 CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

INSiDE EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT NORTHERN iRELAND BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK...

FOREWORD
The Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission is delighted to be co-hosting the Irish Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival once again in 2006.
By supporting the Irish Pavilion, along with our long-standing partners Bord Scannn na hireann/the Irish Film Board, we ensure that the entire Irish lm industry has a clear and strong presence at the worlds premiere lm festival and market. This year we would like to warmly welcome Simon Perry, who was appointed in January this year to the post of CEO at the IFB. The past 12 months was an incredibly strong period for lm funding and production in Northern Ireland, with nancing completed on 8 feature lms from this time last year until early May 2006. Northern Ireland doubled for London in the thriller JoHnnY WAs, while Tollymore Forest Park was the backdrop for horror movie WilDeRness. Three further lms made extensive use of the studio facilities at Mayseld: MiDDletown, SmAll EnGine RepAiR and ClosinG tHe RinG, while PUffbAll, 48 AnGels and SHRooms found the wild rural locations in Armagh and the north-west appealing. The Northern Ireland lm industry continues to ourish. Critical acclaim and media coverage has positioned Northern Ireland as an ambitious new player and NIFTC-backed product has had its fair share of gongs and accolades including nominations and wins at the Golden Globes, IFTAs and prestigious festivals worldwide. In the television arena, the picture is unfortunately not so bright and some retuning is blatantly necessary. We are particularly hopeful of more television drama for Northern Ireland, especially since we are one of the few regions that offers investment to makers of TV drama. If you havent yet discovered magnetic north, come to the Irish Pavilion and see for yourself what Northern Ireland has to offer.

RECENT LOTTERY FUNDING

Applicant co. PROJEct TITLE Amount awarded in / $

COMPLETiON FUNDiNG
Ben Katz Productions I, LLC NailED (Feature Film) 10,000 / $17,785 Little Ease Productions Ltd GUinnESSSiZE ME (Documentary) 8,000 / $14,228

FEATURE FiLM / TV DRAMA

Closing the Ring Ltd ClOSing THE Ring (Feature Film) 200,000 / $355,700 Luke the Lifeboat Ltd LUkE tHE LifEbOat (Animation) 100,000 / $177,850 Make Films Ltd Lingling (Feature Film) 150,000 / $266,775 Newgrange Pictures Ltd KingS (Feature Film) 150,000 / $266,775 Treasure Entertainment Ltd SHROOmS (Feature Film) 150,000 / $266,775

LOw BUDGET FEATURE FiLM

Green Park Films Sin SpREE (Feature Film) 150,000 / $266,775

MINI - DiSTRibUTiON & PROMOTiON

Bandigital Ltd HitcH (Short Film) 500 / $889 Borderline Productions PREttY FacE (Short Film) 3,000 / $5,336 Manifesto Films Ltd JEllYbabY (Short Film) 2,700 / $4,802 Nua Media DannY fROm BanDOn (Documentary) 2,700 / $4,802 Poetry in Motion Ltd BYE-CHilD (Short Film) 5,000 / $8,893 Treasure Entertainment Ltd THE MigHtY CElt (Feature Film) 5,000 / $8,893

MINI - PRODUcTiON
About Face Media Ltd UlStER GEnERalS (Documentary) 50,000 / $88,925 Bandigital Ltd MEgiDO (Short Film) 11,250 / $20,008 Besom Productions Ltd HUngER (Documentary) 15,000 / $26,678 Brian Davis - INDIVIDUAL THE POEt anD tHE BEaR (Short Film) 2,250 / $4,002 Eye Dent DEEpER BlUE (Short Film) 6,530 / $11,614 Ger Murphy - INDIVIDUAL DiDnt THEY LOOk GREat (Short Film) 2,250 / $4,002 Hotshot Films Ltd THE EigHtEEntH ElEctRicitY Plan (Short Film) 22,500 / $40,016 Joe McStravick MURpHY 771 (Short Film) 2,115 / $3,762 Jonathan Kane - INDIVIDUAL MORning Call (Short Film) 2,250 / $4,002 Journeyman Films WEE HOODS (Short Film) 7,500 / $13,339 Laika Pictures Ltd TEll it tO tHE FiSHES (Short Film) 22,612 / $40,215 Lynx Productions BREtHREn In ARmS aka A RigHt ROYal LODgE (Documentary) 4,500 / $8,003 Princess Pictures THE HOtEl TRaDE (Short Film) 22,460 / $39,945 Simon James - INDIVIDUAL Mapping FROntiERS (Short Film) 1,250 / $2,223 Spoton Film & TV Ltd THE PatROl (Short Film) 22,500 / $40,016 The Artery NI ARtERY (Documentary Series) 22,473 / $39,968 Westway Film Productions HOmElanDS anD TOwnlanDS (Documentary) 50,000 / $88,925

PROJEcT DEvELOPMENT
Alchemic Films Ltd Static (Feature Film) 15,000 / $26,678 Closing The Ring Ltd ClOSing THE Ring (Feature Film) 40,000 / $71,140 Geronimo Pictures Ltd TEEnagE KickS aka WHatEvER (Feature Film) 7,500 / $13,339 Greenlit Rights Ltd BEYOnD REcOgnitiOn (TV Film) 19,625 / $34,903 Heavens Gate Films Ltd THE FaiRY TREE (Feature Film) 9,795 / $17,420 Hotshot Films Ltd POOR BaniSHED CHilDREn Of EvE (Feature Film) 7,500 / $13,339 Hotshot Films Ltd JUmp! (Feature Film) 7,500 / $13,339 Line Productions THE ScOtS-IRiSH In AmERica (TV Programme) 5,000 / $8,893 Make Development Ltd THE LaSt FinE SUmmER (Feature Film) 39,100 / $69,539 Treasure Entertainment Ltd WOOllY FacES (Feature Film) 20,000 / $35,570 Ulan Productions Ltd THE InDO-CEltic Cab COmpanY (Feature Film) 21,000 / $37,349 Whatever Pictures Ltd SHOOt THE CROw aka UntOlD StORiES (Feature Film) 10,000 / $17,785

Colin Anderson OBE Chairman, NIFTC

cONTENTS
3 FILM
Latest production news

TOTAL 1,406,360 / $2,501,211

NORTHERN IRELAND FILM PRODUCTION FUND DECISIONS

Applicant co. PROJEct TITLE Amount awarded in / $ Tall Stories Ltd PUffball 165,000 / $293,450 Banjax Studios Ltd GEnE-FUSiOn: REaDY2FUSE 400,000 / $711,400 Vertigo Films Ltd WAZ 399,436 / $710,400 Fridge Films Ltd ROUnD IRElanD witH a FRiDgE 350,000 / $622,475 Treasure Entertainment Ltd SHROOmS 300,000 / $533,550 Initial UK (Endemol) BElS BOYS 520,000 / $924,820

4 A YEAR iN THE LifE Of THE NifTc

The last 12 months in words and pictures

6 LOcATiONS

The best places to lm in Northern Ireland

7 iNfORMATiON 8 fESTivALS 2

TOTAL 2,134,436 / $3,796,095

What you need to know about the NIFTC and NI Up-to-date information on all the Northern Irish lm festivals

CINI 22 CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

lm

cLOSiNG THE RiNG

Northern Ireland played host to a plethora of Hollywood stars and legends of cinema, when ClOSing tHE Ring began principal photography in late March. The lm was nanced through Lottery funding of 200,000 and the NI Film Production Fund of 600,000. Starring Oscar-winner Shirley MacLaine (In HeR SHoes, TeRms of EnDeARment), Christopher Plummer (A BeAUtifUl MinD, THe InsiDeR), Mischa Barton (televisions THe O.C.), Oscar-winner Brenda Fricker (MY Left Foot, THe FielD), and Oscar-nominee Pete Postlethwaite (THe ConstAnt GARDeneR, In tHe NAme of tHe FAtHeR), ClosinG tHe RinG is directed by Oscar-winner Richard Attenborough (GAnDHi, SHADowlAnDs), who marked his twelfth directorial outing with the lm. Written by Peter Woodward, ClosinG tHe RinG is an epic love story that that spans two continents and half a century and tells the story of an American woman who honours a wartime promise of love with a lifetime of heartache until the discovery of a gold ring reawakens her. ClosinG tHe RinG is produced by Richard Attenborough and Jo Gilbert. The co-producer is Martin Katz. The lm is a presentation of UK Film Council, Scion Films, the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission and ContentFilm International. ClosinG tHe RinG was shot on location in Belfast, Northern Ireland at the new Titanic Studios, and in Toronto, Canada. This landmark co-production with Canada marks an incredible opportunity for the lm industry of Northern Ireland, says producer Jo Gilbert, who, along with Judy Gilbert is co-owner of Titanic Studios Ltd. To have a British lm icon like Richard Attenborough, and actors and lmmakers of the calibre of Shirley MacLaine and Roger Pratt lming this movie here in Belfast with local crew and actors is a phenomenal achievement for this community. In addition to forging a new and strong link with Canada, it will show the rest of the world that Northern Ireland has a vibrant lm industry and that we are indeed, open for business. ClosinG tHe RinG features a supporting cast that includes Gregory Smith (televisions EveRwooD), Ian McElhinney (THe BoXeR), and newcomers Stephen Amell, David Alpay and Martin McCann. The lms behind-the-scenes team includes long-time Attenborough collaborators cinematographer Roger Pratt and editor Lesley Walker, whose previous outings with Attenborough include SHADowlAnDs and
Producer Jo Gilbert with Lord Attenborough

CRY FReeDom. The production designer is Tom McCullagh (MickYbo & Me) and the costume designer is Hazel Webb-Crozier (MickYbo & Me). ClosinG tHe RinG is being sold through ContentFilm International: London ofce: 19 Heddon Street, London W1B 4BG At Cannes: ContentFilm International, 3rd oor, 2 La Croisette (Opposite the Palais) T: +33 4 93 38 58 88 F: +33 4 93 99 46 55

MIDDLETOWN

48 ANGELS SHROOMS
Set in contemporary Northern Ireland, 48 AnGels received Lottery funding of 150,000 and is the story of two boys from opposite sides of the sectarian divide, and a terrorist who nds hes now lost his place in the world. Directed by Marion Comer from a script by Marion Comer and Craig Holland, the lm is produced by John McDonnell and Robert Medema for Reected Light Pictures. 48 AnGels is sold by Scott Jones at Artist View Entertainment in Los Angeles (T: 001 8187522480). From award-winning director Paddy Breathnach (I WEnt DOwn, BlOw DRY with Josh Hartnett and Man AbOUt DOg) comes teen horror and Blair Witchesque SHROOmS. The lm is executive produced by Gail Egan (THe ConstAnt GARDeneR, MAn AboUt DoG, VeRA DRAke) and produced by Paddy McDonald (THe MiGHtY Celt), Robert Walpole (THe MiGHtY Celt, MAn AboUt DoG, Ape starring Alfred Molina, SAltwAteR by Conor McPherson, I Went Down). SHRooms received 150,000 Lottery funding plus 300,000 from the NI Film Production Fund and was lmed in the province from late March to early May. Shrooms is a splice between the narrative drive and chase structure of American horror and the more uncanny weirdness and aesthetic beauty of the Asian horror genre. says Director, Paddy Breathnach.
John Travers as James and Ciaran Flynn as Seamus

Director Brian Kirk, Producer Michael Casey and Screenwriter Daragh Carville

From award-winning producer Michael Casey (FREEZE FRamE) comes an explosive drama of love, loss and betrayal. MiDDlEtOwn tells the story of two brothers wracked by internecine rivalry one for the love of his family, the other for the love of his god. Directed by BAFTA-nominated Brian Kirk (MURpHYs LAw, PUllinG Moves) and scripted by one of Irelands hottest writing talents Daragh Carville, MiDDletown features an outstanding cast including Matthew Macfadyen (PRiDe AnD PRejUDice, In MY FAtHeRs Den); Eva Birthistle (Ae FonD Kiss, BReAkfAst on PlUto); Daniel Mays (VeRA DRAke) and Gerard McSorley (OmAGH, VeRonicA GUeRin). MiDDletown is Macfadyens followup lm to PRiDe AnD PRejUDice and

the second feature from Casey, one of Irelands leading producers, who is committed to truly indigenous Northern Ireland lm-making and spearheading the growth of the industry in the north. Set to a haunting score by Debbie Wiseman, the lm is a poignant reminder of the destructive power of fundamental belief and ultimately the redemptive nature of love. Beautifully shot with a distinctive visual style and inuence, reminiscent of the chiaroscuro effect favoured by Caravaggio, the lm is already garnering serious interest. MiDDletown received 200,000 from the NI Film Production Fund and Lottery funding of 150,000. The lm is sold through Andrew Herwitz The Film Sales Company (T: 001 646 274 0945).

KiNGS
From Newgrange Pictures comes KinGs - the rst bi-lingual lm to be produced in Ireland and entirely funded within the island of Ireland by the Irish Film Board, The Broadcast Commission of Ireland, TG4, and the Irish Language Broadcast Fund from the NIFTC. KinGs will go into production in September. Based on Jimmy Murphys critically acclaimed play The Kings of Kilburn High Road, the lm tells the story of a group of Irish emigrants in London, reunited at the wake of one of their friends who was killed by a passing tube train. The friends are forced to confront the possibility that this was no accident but suicide and must face up to the reality of their alienation as long term emigrants who no longer have any real place to call home. The lm is written and will be directed by Tom Collins whose previous credits include the recent award-winning feature lm DeAD LonG EnoUGH, TeenAGe Kicks THe UnDeRtones and BoGwomAn.

The lm stars Jack Huston (nephew of Anjelica, grandson of John), and Lindsey Haun (Paramounts AnGel fRom MontGomeRY opposite Burt Reynolds and Willie Nelson). SHRooms is sold through Capitol Films: London ofce: 23 Queensdale Place, London W11 4SQ T: +44 (0) 207 471 6000 F: +44 (0) 207 471 6012 At Cannes: 4 la Croisette, 2nd Floor T: +33 (0) 4 93 39 23 70 F: +33 (0) 4 93 39 51 74

PUffbALL
Two legends of the big screen are reunited in tense, supernatural thriller PUffbAll, when Nicolas Roeg directs his Dont Look Now star Donald Sutherland. Also starring Miranda Richardson, the lm is an adaptation of Fay Weldons novel of the same name that was adapted by Fays son Dan Weldon. This is the story of a couple whose lives are almost destroyed by indelity, the paranormal and bad weather when they purchase a remote, dilapidated cottage. The lm received 165,000 from the NI Film Production Fund and is being sold by Wild Bunch.

SMALL ENGiNE REPAiR

Produced for Subotica Entertainment by Tristan Orpen-Lynch and Dominic Wright, producers of SonG foR A RAGGY BoY. The lm stars Iain Glen (TARA RoAD, KiDnAppeD (TV)) and is helmed by rst-time feature director Nial Heery from his own script about an unemployed driver with musical aspirations and a backwoods mechanic who discovers there is more to life than well stocked tool boxes and country music. The lm received 279,336 from the NI Film Production Fund and shot in NI late 2005 and is being sold through MovieHouse.

Iain Glen

CINI 22 CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

Pat McCabe and Neil Jordan take questions at Crumlin Road Gaol Bollywood Filmmakers at Crom Castle

CHARLOTTES RED

3 SeconDs MY ARse

Morag Tinto

Paddy Breathnachs SHROOMS

AYEARiNTHELif
SUNNY SIDE OF THE DOC
MEDIA Service Northern Irelands rst trade mission to Sunny Side of the Doc in July 2005 was deemed a huge success by attending Northern Ireland television production companies. Supported by the MEDIA Plus programme and the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, MEDIA Service NI hosted a Northern Ireland stand at the marketplace during the companies visit and launched their presence with a cocktail reception closing the UK Day activities. Northern Ireland companies in attendance included DoubleBand Films; Ikandi Productions; Besom Productions; Vinegar Hill; Hotshot Films and Nua Media. ........................................................................................................ upon the novel by James Hawes, who cowrote the lm with director Collins. ........................................................................................................

Another year has passed and the NIFTC has enjoyed a bumper crop of lm and television production, as well as successes in our exhibition sector, education and Irish Language. Here are just some of our highlights

HoRn ok pleAse

NIFTC PART OF BELFAST CREATIVE SHOWCASE TO USA

Some of Belfasts most creative companies were given an invaluable opportunity to showcase their talents in the heart of the worlds most lucrative marketplace. The Belfast Creative Showcase, led by Belfast City Council saw a number of the citys leading edge companies working primarily in the elds of lm, television and digital media, as well as fashion design exploring new leads and potential new markets in New York and Boston. ........................................................................................................

The venue for the master class was so chosen, as the gaol had been used as a location for the lm BReAkfAst on PlUto, the latest collaboration between Neil Jordan, who directs, from the novel by Pat McCabe. ........................................................................................................

for me. Beautifully constructed, well thought out, well acted, genuinely surprising but, above all these things, involving and interesting. My attention never strayed and I fully expect to see this team crop up on the big screen.

ARTS MINISTER ON SET OF JOHNNY WAS

Last summer, Arts Minister David Hanson MP turned the spotlight on Northern Ireland as a superb location for the lm industry. Speaking during a visit to the lm set of JOHNNY WAS, the Minister said: Northern Ireland is a prime location for lm production and it is essential that we continue to market the area nationally and internationally as a production base. Directed by Mark Hammond, written by Brendan Foley and produced by Patrick Fitzsymons, Paul Largan and Tom Maguire for Borderline Productions, the lm is a contemporary thriller starring Samantha Mumba, Vinnie Jones, Patrick Bergin, Eriq la Salle, Lennox Lewis and Roger Daltrey. ........................................................................................................

EnDGAme is a dark thriller set in contemporary Belfast. Martin, the main character, is established as a kindly schoolteacher who nds himself stranded in the crossre of a paramilitary shoot-out. The lm is packed full of drama and suspense as Martin is taken hostage. ........................................................................................................

BILL MISKELLY AWARD WINNER

Morag Tinto, who had already been awarded a scholarship to the prestigious National Film and Television School in Buckinghamshire to complete an MA in Film & Television, specializing in Documentary Direction, was the recipient of the Bill Miskelly Postgraduate Award. The award was established by the family of Bill Miskelly and by the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission in memory of Bills long and distinguished career both in the BBC and with Aisling Films, as a producer, director and writer. ........................................................................................................

DEAD LONG ENOUGH WINS AUDIENCE AWARD AT CARDIFF

DeAD LonG EnoUGH, directed by Tom Collins and funded by the NIFTC, won the Audience Award at the Cardiff Screen Festival in November. Starring Jason Hughes, Michael Sheen and Angeline Ball, the lm competed with 48 other titles to win the award voted for by the public. The lm was shot on location in Ireland and Wales and tells the story of two brothers who return to a small village in Donegal where they spent a working holiday 16 years earlier. There they bump in to an old ame and a series of mishaps and misunderstandings reignite old passions and throw their lives into confusion. The screenplay is based

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE AT CRUMLIN ROAD GAOL

Last September witnessed an altogether different type of captive audience than used to be seen at Crumlin Road Gaol, when lm and media students from various colleges around the country were enthralled by two luminaries from the worlds of lm and literature. Renowned screenwriter and director Neil Jordan and author Pat McCabe gave a master class in lm-making from script to screen to a specially invited audience of students from Queens University, The University of Ulster and The Upper Bann Institute of Technology, as well as up-and-coming local lm makers.

ENDGAME WIN AT TCM CLASSIC SHORTS

Second prize went to EnDGAme directed by Andrew Greener of Spectrecom Films. This gritty interpretation of the troubles in Northern Ireland particularly caught the eye of Oscar-winning screenwriter, Julian Fellowes: Endgame - a clear head-and-shoulders winner

NIFTC EDUCATION
As part of the Wider Literacy Strategy, NIFTC Education coordinated a number of teacher professional development sessions across Northern Ireland over the Autumn term. Courses were provided in several locations and the sessions, delivered by the NIFTC-funded Moving Image Trainer, were aimed at teachers involved in

CINI 22 CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

LR: Julieanne Crothers-Gibson of NIFTC, Hugh McGrory of Make Films, Lou Madigan, Executive Vice President of Steiner Studios, NYC and Franziska-Maria Apprich of Make Films

Teachers come to grips with digital lmmaking at the Amma Centre

LR: David Hanson MP, Arts Minister, Colin Anderson, Chairman NIFTC, Brendan Foley, Writer-Producer of JoHnnY WAs, and Lennox Lewis on location at Mayseld Leisure Centre

enDGAme

Nollaig Mac Aoidh, Sen Meallaigh & Colm MacAindreasa in the drama series ADHARCA FADA

Micheal Sheen, Angeline Ball and Jason Hughes in DEAD LONG ENOUGH

ifEOfTHENifTc
the new CCEA Moving Image Arts qualication at AS and A2-Level. Participants also included those considering teaching this innovative A-Level. ........................................................................................................

FILM PRODUCTION BOOM

The year witnessed a huge tally of lms being funded and shooting in NI among them JoHnnY WAs, WilDeRness, 48 AnGels, SmAll EnGine RepAiR, MiDDletown, ClosinG tHe RinG, PUffbAll and SHRooms. The industry was also impressed and the NIFTC enjoyed an unprecedented level of press coverage, including a Screen International feature about Northern Ireland as a lm production hub, as well as an article in Variety. ........................................................................................................

CHARLOTTES RED continued its winning streak at the Cinemagic Film Festival where it won Best Short Film for a Teenage Audience and at the East Lansing (Michigan) Childrens Film Festival, the lm picked up Best of the Fest Winner.

Northern Ireland. However, the programmes funded will reach an even wider audience through the use of subtitles in English.

HORN OK PLEASE was selected for the worlds most prestigious animation festival in Annecy as well as winning Best Animated Short at FRAMES 2006 in Mumbai, and the Best Animation and Best Editing Awards at the inaugural European Independent Film Festival in Paris. The trio of Gawain Morrison (producer), Anna McCaughtry (director) and Rosie Murdoch (writer) celebrated the success of their production 3 SECONDS MY ARSE at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival where it won in the category of Best Dark Comedy for the Short Film Genre. And it was a double celebration for Gawain Morrison as he also was the producer of THE CAT, which was nominated to receive one of the top four Remi Awards at the 39th WorldFest-Houston. ........................................................................................................

The rst ever Irish language drama series to be set and shot in Northern Ireland was broadcast on TG4 in January this year. ADHARcA FADA, which was funded by the recently established Irish Language Broadcast Fund and produced by Magma Films, was shot at Ballyward Hunting Lodge near Castlewellan in Co. Down. ........................................................................................................

February at the C4 ofces in London. Attendees included Colin Anderson, Chairman NIFTC, Richard Williams, CEO NIFTC and producers from some of Northern Irelands top television companies - Waddell Media, DoubleBand, Green Inc, Westway and Wild Rover.

BOLLYWOOD OR BUST!
A delegation of Indian lm-makers visited Northern Ireland in March, bringing a touch of spice to an already burgeoning lm industry here. Following a trade mission to India in January, in which NIFTCs CEO Richard Williams took part, the group of Bollywood producers made a reciprocal trip, visiting possible lm locations and meeting the local industry. Organised in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, the FAM (familiarisation) trip took in some of NIs most famous and beautiful sights including the Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, the Causeway Coastal Route and the Mourne Mountains. ........................................................................................................

At this, the rst of a series of planned gatherings, a DVD showcasing the work of the production sector in Northern Ireland was screened. The event offered an opportunity to celebrate the work already produced here and to discuss in a relaxed forum how the television sector in Northern Ireland and the broadcaster move forward in partnership. ........................................................................................................

SHORT GONGS AND ACCOLADES

Northern Ireland has always enjoyed a strong tradition of short lm-making. This past year has seen an unprecedented number of NIFTCsupported shorts winning awards and accolades from around the world. JELLYBABY won the Best Comedy Short at the inaugural Golden Star Fest in Hollywood, Best Short Drama at the Celtic Film and Television Festival in Cornwall, Best Short Film at Cinegael, the Irish Film Festival in Montreal, Best Short Film at the Chlotrudis Film Festival in Cambridge, Massachusetts and was selected for the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in New York. THE LINNET enjoyed a gala screening at the Chaplin Theatre, Hollywood, USA and has been selected for the Short Film Corner at Cannes.

BBC INVESTS IN NI COMPANIES

Three companies from Northern Ireland were awarded special grants from the BBC Regional Independents Development Fund 2006. The fund of 1m has been established to support programme development from indies based beyond the M25. The cash awards will be supplemented by fast-tracked access to key BBC commissioners and regular meetings to progress ideas. Over 133 companies applied for the funding, originally short-listed to 43. This list was then broken down to 23 after the short-listed companies were invited to submit more detailed business plans to support their bid. The successful NI companies are Green Park for Drama, DoubleBand for Factual Entertainment and Green Inc for Entertainment.

IRISH LANGUAGE BROADCAST FUND

The ofcial launch of the NIFTCs Irish Language Broadcast Fund took place at the Ormeau Baths Gallery in Belfast in September. Initially established in the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission was given responsibility for the fund in 2004. The priority for the NIFTC in administering the fund is the audience in

NI MOVES CLOSER TO C4
In a move designed to further relationships between television producers from Northern Ireland and the Channel 4 commissioning editors, the NIFTC co-hosted a dinner in

CINI 22 CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

locations

NORTHERN IRELAND LOCATIONS

Northern Ireland is the most compact 5,196 square miles of back lot in the world. Everything from beautiful coastlines to idyllic villages, through to bustling cities lled with old and new architecture. But as everyone knows, the main driving force for any lm maker is hard cash. Northern Irelands location in-between mainland UK and the Republic of Ireland makes it a perfect place for producers to consider, availing of tax incentives from both countries. The niftc has a unique tool at their disposal, the Film Industry Location Manager database (FILM) the largest locations database in Ireland. The database contains stills of over 1,000 Northern Irish locations and can be tailored for producers specic requirements. For further information on locations, funding and co-production opportunities, along with the practicalities of lming in NI visit www.niftc.co.uk or contact Anne Quinn on [email protected]

bELfAST
Surrounded by verdant hills, Belfast nestles in three valleys at the western end of Belfast Lough. Although predominately Victorian in architecture, Belfast has undergone considerable change in the last few years. Alongside the classic imperial structures sit some of the most striking examples of modern architecture.

FERMANAGH CAvE AND LAKELAND THE cAUSEwAY AND ANTRiM cOAST

The Antrim coastline is simply one of the most stunning landscapes in the world. Offering unspoilt beaches, stunning seascapes, ancient castles, hidden harbours, breathtaking vistas and the jewel in the crown the Giants Causeway World Heritage Site. The towering cliffs of northern Antrim overlook an extraordinary promontory volcanic activity 50-60 million years ago has left behind over 40,000 massive basaltic columns, each formed with geometric precision. Epic struggles between warring Gaelic clans caused many great castles like Dunluce and Dunseverick to be built high on the cliffs. Their ruins still cling precariously to the basalt, as the erosive waters of the Atlantic crash far below. 360 million years in the making, the carboniferous limestone of Fermanagh hides a unique and stunningly beautiful landscape. Rivers ow over harsh, lonely peatlands before disappearing at the base of spectacular cliffs or into the darkness of potholes. Reyfad, the deepest pothole in Ireland is over 180 metres deep and the world renowned Marble Arch is open to the public as a show cave. The dry valleys, deep gorges, limestone pavement and swallow holes remain virtually unknown. An entire county, more water than land, Fermanaghs lakes and rivers remain a well kept secret. Upper Lough Erne is a reedy maze of islands, creeks and secret shores. Many of the loughs 60 islands are uninhabited now but the ancient island monasteries of Cleenish and Lisgoole were once amongst the most important in Ireland. As the Erne ows through the island town of Enniskillen, it takes on a different character. The Lower Lough is best viewed from the sweeping Cliffs of Magho where Boa Island can be seen, home to the mysterious Janus Idols. The castles of Monea, Cauldwell, Tully, Magherameelan, Crevenish, Portora, Archdale and Enniskillen provided a formidable ring of steel around the lough and the ancient monasteries of Devenish and Inishmacsaint stand like sentries on now peaceful islands.

MOURNE MOUNTAiNS
The Kingdom of Mourne provides a rugged and austere landscape, where the craggy mountains sweep down to unspoilt beaches and picturesque harbours. Within a 25 mile diameter, the granite hills dominate the skyline. CS Lewis once said that the view over County Down to the Mourne Mountains inspired him to create the magical kingdom of Narnia. Rich at farmland in the north slowly transforms into undulating drumlins which, in turn, become foothills to the granite batholiths of the Mournes.

CARRicK-A-REDE ROPE bRiDGE

Spanning a chasm some eighty feet deep is the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, its construction once consisted of a single rope hand rail and widely spaced slats which the shermen would traverse with salmon caught off the island. The single handrail was subsequently replaced by a two hand railed bridge, the current, caged bridge was installed by the National Trust during Easter of 2000 as a further safety measure.

CINI 22 CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

information

NORTHERN iRELAND: AbOUT THE NIFTC USEfUL iNfORMATiON

MiSSiON STATEMENT CLIMATE
The Northern Irish climate is mild and temperate. It is inclined to be breezy, with sudden changes from cloud to sunny skies and vice versa. It experiences clement winters, very little snow, and warm summers.
19712000 AvERAGES MONTH SUNSHINE hrs JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC YEAR 41.0 60.1 90.0 140.8 175.9 150.9 139.6 138.0 113.1 85.5 52.8 31.9 1219.7 RAiNfALL mm 119.1 86.5 93.4 70.6 68.1 72.1 73.2 90.8 94.4 114.5 110.5 118.5 1111.6 DAYS OF RAINFALL >1mm 17.8 14.1 16.4 12.4 12.6 12.4 13.1 13.9 14.4 16.4 16.7 16.9 177.0 MAX TEMP o C 6.7 7.1 8.9 11.1 14.2 16.5 18.4 18.1 15.7 12.5 9.2 7.5 12.2 MIN TEMP o C 1.2 1.2 2.3 3.3 5.6 8.3 10.6 10.2 8.3 6.1 3.1 2.0 5.2 DAYS OF AIR FROST 10.2 8.9 6.3 4.1 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 5.3 7.7 45.1

The NIFTCs mission is to accelerate the development of a dynamic and sustainable lm and television industry in Northern Ireland by integrating industrial, educational and cultural policies and actions.

PRODUcTiON
Support the development and production of lms in NI and to encourage private sector investment in the industry.

INfORMATiON
Develop and provide a comprehensive information service, in print and digitally, on all aspects of lm and television here and in Europe.

PROMOTiON
Promote awareness of our locations, crews and facilities nationally and internationally, and promote lms produced in NI.

EDUcATiON
Work with policy makers here and in GB to embed the study of the moving image and the creative use of digital technology in our curriculum.

BUSiNESS DEvELOPMENT
Seek to maximise the public sector resources and private sector expertise available to our production companies to develop sustainable businesses.

HERiTAGE
Promote access to our audiovisual heritage by exploiting digital technologies.

fiLM EXHibiTiON
Seek to maximise the public sector resources and private sector expertise available to the specialised lm exhibitors and festivals here to enable them to make a signicant contribution to lm culture and moving image education and training.

TRAiNiNG
Ensure that the training needs of our independent production companies and freelances are met, and ensure that producers engage local trainees when appropriate.

DISTANCES
Northern Ireland is the most compact 5,196 square miles of back lot in the world. From mountains, glens, lakes, loughs, caves, cliffs and beaches to cities, towns, villages and hamlets, its all within easy reach of your schedule and budget.

41 41 40 19

40

80

71 Armagh

19 110 73 Belfast 110 61 Intl Airport 147 Dublin LDerry LDerry

80 110 110 71 Armagh 73 Belfast 61 147 Intl Airport Dublin

MEDIA SERVICE NORTHERN IRELAND

The MEDIA Plus programme is an initiative established by the EC. MEDIA Plus covers a six year period between 2001 and 2006 and has been established as a nancial and promotional support mechanism for the audiovisual industries in member states of the EU. MEDIA Plus provides nancial assistance in the following areas: z Training z Promotion & Market Access z Development z Festivals z Distribution z Pilot Projects for Digital Initiatives Calls for proposals, guidelines and application forms for support under the above categories are available through independently established ofces throughout Europe MEDIA Desks and Antennae. MEDIA Service Northern Ireland has been established with the assistance of MEDIA Plus, UK MEDIA Desk, UK Film Council and the NIFTC. Cian Smyth is MEDIA Coordinator for Northern Ireland and is based at the NIFTC where you can contact him. Feel free to contact Cian at [email protected] or visit www.mediadesk.co.uk for further information.

APPROX DiSTANcE IN MiLES (x 1.63 TO cONVERT TO KM)

CINI 22 CANNES 2006 SPECIAL

festivals

NORTHERN IRELANDS FILM FESTIVALS

bELfAST FILM FESTIVAL
www.belfastlmfestival.org March 2007 Northern Irelands Capital city presents world cinema to its audiences with additional focuses on documentary and political themes, workshops and masterclasses for local industry and short lm. The festival also offers a competition for Irish short lm. Contact: Belfast Film Festival, 3rd Floor 23 Donegall Street, Belfast BT1 2FF, Northern Ireland T: 028 9032 5913 F: 028 9032 9397 E: [email protected]

fOYLE FILM FESTIVAL

www.foylelmfestival.com 10 19 November 2006 Foyle Film Festival is Northern Irelands leading platform for short lm and presents world cinema to audiences in Derry and the North West region of Ireland. Additional focuses and workshops concentrate on lm education, animation, digital cinema, special effects and gaming. The festival also offers competitions for shorts, documentaries, animation and digital features. Call for entries opens: 8 May Deadline for entries closes: 4 September Contact: Foyle Film Festival, The Nerve Centre, 7-8 Magazine Street, Derry BT48 6HJ, Northern Ireland T: +(44) 028 71 260 562 F: +(44) 028 71 371 738 E: [email protected]

CINEMAGIC WORLD SCREEN FESTIVAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

www.cinemagic.org.uk 17 November 3 December 2006 Cinemagic is Irelands largest festival for young audiences while also leading the UK with its innovative programming of foreign lm, television and workshops for young people. Cinemagic uses the magic of lm and all forms of moving image to entertain, educate and inspire. The 2005 festival will see its rst awards ceremony for young lmmaking talent alongside competitions for shorts and feature lms. Call for entries opens: 1 March Deadline for entries closes: 1 August Contact: Cinemagic, 49 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JL, Northern Ireland T: +44 2890 311 900 F: +44 2890 310 709 E: [email protected]

TOP: Heres Johnny!! Belfast drivers enjoy THE SHINING on the big screen ABOVE LEFT: Joan Burney, Chief Executive, Cinemagic, Bernard Latham, HollYoAks, Niall Wright, MickYbo & Me, Councillor Bernadette Kelly, Belfast City Council, John Joe McNeill, MickYbo & Me, Richard Williams, Chief Executive, NIFTC, at the OliveR Twist Premiere ABOVE RIGHT: Seagate Technologys Ian OLeary, special guests Andrea Corr, and Director Richard Raymond, and Festival Director Shauna Kelpie

NIFTC bOARD
Colin Anderson OBE, Chairman Chairman Anderson Spratt Group Holdings Roger Austin Head of School of Education at the University of Ulster Gavin Boyd Chief Executive, Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment Terry Loane Screenwriter/Director Joe Mahon Producer/Director/Broadcaster, Westway Film Productions John McCann Managing Director, Ulster Television Maria McCann Managing Director, McCann PR, Belfast Alastair McIlwain Director of Animation, Banjax Studios Philip Morrow Managing Director, Wild Rover Productions Nik Powell Director, National Film and Television School Peter Quinn Economic and Financial Consultant Mairead Regan Human Resources Director, UTV Patrick Spence Head of Drama, BBC Northern Ireland

MiD-ULSTER FILM FESTIVAL

www.midulsterlmfestival.com 5 7 May 2006 The Mid-Ulster Film Festival is about bringing together lmmakers from all over Ireland and beyond. Thus giving us all a fantastic opportunity to celebrate with a weekend of lm, in a unique and magical setting. The festival is also different in that it is a non-competitive and aimed mostly at up and coming lm makers. Call for entries opens: TBC Deadline for entries closes: TBC Contact: An Creagan Centre, Creggan, Omagh, Co Tyrone BT79 9AF, Northern Ireland Tel: 028 8076 1112 E: [email protected]

NIFTC STAff
Richard Williams Julieanne Crothers-Gibson Chief Executive Director of Policy Development Head of Production Production Co-ordinator Production Co-ordinator Development Co-ordinator Systems Administrator Head of Education Archive Development Ofcer Archive Outreach Ofcer Education Development Ofcer Head of Irish Language Broadcast Fund Irish Language Broadcast Fund Assistant Head of Marketing Marketing Ofcer Database Information Ofcer Head of Finance Trainee Management Accountant Funding Programmes Manager Funding Programmes Co-ordinator PA to CEO and Director of Policy Development Receptionist Media Co-ordinator NI [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Andrew Reid Anne Quinn Natasha Geary Christine Morrow Michael Doogan Bernard McCloskey Karen Quinn Meabh McCaffrey-Lau Ian Andrews Mire Killoran Caoimhe N Laighin

Want to get frequent updates from the NIFTC?

To keep up-to-date with the latest industry news register for our e-Zine, which is available via email. If you would like to receive the e-Zine please visit www.niftc.co.uk to register.

NORTHERN IRELAND FILM AND TELEVISION COMMISSION 3rd Floor, Alfred House, 21 Alfred Street, Belfast BT2 8ED T: 028 9023 2444 F: 028 9023 9918 E: [email protected] W: www.niftc.co.uk
Honorary President Kenneth Branagh Chairman RJC Anderson OBE Chief Executive Richard Williams

Moyra Lock Carol Larkin Colin Fisher Linda Martin Trudie Biggerstaff Elsie Brown Susie Wright Samantha Kelly Bettie Heron Cian Smyth

The NIFTCs ofce and IT equipment is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland If you do not wish to receive CINI please email [email protected]

Design www.whitenoisestudios.com