FNI Wrap Chat

Welcome to the second edition of the FNI Wrap Chat Podcast Fastnet Film Festival special, this is the second of two, which we recorded live from our lovely campervan provided by Rambling Rover.ie at the Fastnet Film Festival in Schull in West Cork.

Please excuse the slight noise as we were parked near the hive of activity of the festival hub.

Special thanks this week goes out to Windmill Lane for their support and we’re very excited to be working with them on an ongoing partnership.

In this second episode, we’ve an interview with the lovely Actor Moya Farrelly on the run-up to the 25th Anniversary of her feature Film This is my Father also featuring Aidan Quinn and John Cusack.

We also spotlight some up-and-coming talent you should watch out for in the near future.

Moya's Screen appearances include Fiona Kinsella in SINGLE-HANDED, Sorcha Buckley in JACK TAYLOR: THE PIKEMEN,

Previous film and television credits include the lead role of Eileen in FIRST COMMUNION DAY, directed by John Dower for the BBC, Sally Lyons in BACHELORS WALK; Andrea in MESSAGGI QUASI SEGRETI, directed by Valerio Jalongo, BRAVEHEART, directed by Mel Gibson.

Director Jamie O'Rourke’s first short, Scrap, is still on the festival circuit, was nominated for an IFTA in 2022, and screened at the 2023 Clermont-Ferrand International Film Festival and has played at festivals around the world. His second film, Calf, funded by Screen Ireland/Virgin Media had its World Premiere at The Dublin International Film Festival in February 2023 and will screen at AA/EFA qualifying Odense IFF in Denmark in Aug 2023.

Shane Serrano is an award winning Director & Cinematographer from Limerick. Through his production company, Crude Media, Shane has been directing and producing for over 10 years, working on over 130 music videos for artists. Many of his films have been selected by acclaimed film festivals globally, including the Newport Beach Film Festival, Irish Film London, Galway Film Fleadh, DIFF, Berlin International Art Film Festival and Chicago Irish Film Festival.

In 2019 he was the recipient of an Award for Outstanding Contribution to Film in Limerick, at the Richard Harris International Film Festival.

Tania Notaro is an exciting screenwriter, director and actor from Dublin. Her comedy drama TV series Cabaret Cartel is currently in development as part of Screen Ireland’s Spotlight scheme. She has just completed her first short Glitterbug as writer/director and her visually arresting short film Postpartum (See on theVirgin Media Player Now!) She was selected to take part in the Eureka Series Programme 2022 at the Series Mania Institute. She has a 1st class Master’s degree in Screenwriting, NFT/IADT with a scholarship from Warner Brothers and later selected by the Warner Brothers Creative Talent Team as an exceptional artist and one-to-watch.

Johnny is an award winning actor, writer and director who has been involved in film and drama for the best part of two decades. He has written and directed such comedy films as The Legend of Harry and Ambrose, Aftermath and The Blizzards behind the music. In 2021 his comedy pilot "Cancelled" won best comedy pilot at the Austin after dark comedy festival. He can be seen later this year in Maurice O'Carroll's brilliant new feature Swing bout.

Michael O'Hara is an actor, award winning writer, producer and director of animation, live action and documentary. His production company Waking Dream Productions is known for Talent Drivers (2019), Donuts, People and Their Dreams (1993) and Mr Happy (2006).  His latest "In Your Dreams" a docuseries is discussed here.

This is the FNI Wrapchat Podcast, and we're here to celebrate Irish film and the people who make it possible. It's a cracking bumper special edition Episode!

You'll find more about us on social media on FB and Insta on @filmnetworkireland and fni_film on the twitter machine.

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Welcome to a very special edition of the FNI Wrapchat Podcast Hosted by Paul Butler Lennox, Keith O'Grady and Paul Webster, this is the first of two we'll be releasing this week, which we recorded live from our lovely campervan provided by Rambling Rover.ie at the Fastnet Film Festival in West Cork in 2023! As always are excited to bring you exclusive interviews with some of Ireland's top filmmakers, actors, and industry insiders. 

Film Network Ireland (FNI) is delighted to announce that we have partnered up with Arri and Windmill lane as sponsors to support the organization's efforts in engaging and connecting film professionals in Ireland. 

Film Network Ireland is an umbrella network of thousands of professionals working in Ireland's film and television industry, dedicated to promoting, supporting and advancing film culture. Arri, the world-renowned film technology company, is sponsoring FNI as part of its commitment to empowering global talent and promoting the art of storytelling through cinema. Windmill lane is a giant in the Irish Film and Tv arena and we are looking forward to working with them to help develop this unique partnership.

FNI focuses on nurturing emerging talent across Ireland and puts forward a unified voice of the Irish film industry. The company's overarching goal is to support, connect and develop sustainable careers in the Irish film industry. 

These partnerships will see Arri and Windmill lane providing vital support to FNI's initiatives and events, such as FNI's Bi-monthly Networking events, Popular industry Podcast Wrapchat and master classes in film and TV. Arri and Windmill Lanes sponsorship of FNI will also ensure that Irish filmmakers have behind the scenes access to the latest and best equipment and technology in film production. 

Through this partnership, Arri and Windmill lane not only supports creativity in Ireland but also establishes a strong presence in the Irish film industry, thus, opening up opportunities for Irish talent to participate in International productions down the line.

In this episode, we are joined by Director Claire Dix and Actor Liam Carney from the feature film Sunlight, which screened at this year's festival to critical acclaim. Claire Dix is an award-winning director and educator known for her powerful and moving documentary work and her stunning debut Doc feature film, Broken Song and her recent collaboration with Barry Ward… Swimming, which has continued into this film. Liam Carney, who plays Ivor is a seasoned actor with a wealth of experience in film, television, and theatre, with notable roles in Gangs of New york, to the popular Irish TV series such as Love/Hate, Glenroe and more recently Fair City Liam has numerous film and tv credits Including most recently Barber, and his brilliant performance in the Series the Virtues for Shane Meadows. 

We have two very exciting events coming up this Summer Fni Fast fest and our hugely popular FNI Expo event will return later in the year. More details will be announced.

In two separate interviews they discuss the making of Sunlight, a gripping dramady which will be released soon across the UK and Ireland by Wildcard Distribution. They share their insights into the creative process, the challenges of bringing such a complex and warm story revolving around the important issue of euthnesia to life, and their own personal experiences in the Irish film industry over the years.

So sit back, relax, and let's dive into the world of Sunlight and the incredible talent behind it. This is the FNI Wrapchat Podcast, and we're here to celebrate Irish film and the people who make it possible. If you enjoy this show why not deep dive into our back catalogue and pop over to support us on buymeacoffe.com/fni 

You'll find more about us on social media on FB and Insta on @filmnetworkireland and fni_film on the twitter machine. 

Enjoy

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Joining Paul Webster on the podcast is writer and director, Ciaran Creagh.

Ciaran Creagh is a screenwriter, director & producer whose credits include In View, a feature he wrote and directed which won Best Screenplay at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and was nominated for the Grand Newcomer Award at the Mannheim-Heidelberg Film Festival. Creagh also wrote the feature Parked, starring Colm Meaney. Parked was nominated in four categories at the Irish Film and Television Awards and won Best First Feature at the Galway Film Festival and Best Screenplay at the 2012 Foggia Film Festival. Creagh also wrote and directed the short The Note, starring Aidan Gillen. Cry from the Sea, a feature he wrote is to be shot during 2023 in Mayo and Donegal.

FNI Wrapchat brings you exclusive interviews with filmmakers, producers, directors, and actors, giving you insight into the creative process behind some of the best productions in the country. From discussing the latest industry news to sharing invaluable tips and tricks for aspiring filmmakers, FNI Wrapchat is your go-to podcast for all things film and TV industry related in Ireland. So sit back, relax, check out our back catalogue and get ready to wrap your head around the fascinating world of Irish film and television.

Please Support our podcast, events and classes on BuyMeACoffee.com/fni

FNI Wrapchat is Produced by PBL, Paul Webster and Edited and Mixed by Mark Monks in the heart of Dublin City Centre at the Podcast Studios. 

Check out Film Network Ireland at

https://wearefni.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/filmnetworkireland

https://twitter.com/fni_film

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Join our hosts, Mark Monks and Paul Butler Lennox on today's bumper episode, sponsored by RamblingRover.ie @Ramblingrovercampervans 

Join us as we bring you the highlights from Achill Island Film Festival, an annual celebration of Film that takes place on the stunning island of Achill in Co. Mayo now in its second year.

achillInternationalFilmfestival.com

Guests Include Tom Callahan from Chicago with his film, Good Fences and Belfast based filmmaker, Frankie Quinn.

Tom has contributed his cinematography and assistant editing to films and shows like UNAPOLOGETIC by Ashley O'Shay, and CITY SO REAL and AMERICA TO ME by Steve James, which have appeared at the Sundance Film Festival, STARZ, National Geographic, PBS POV, and Hulu. With great excitement, he recently premiered his short film GOOD FENCES? at Docs Ireland film festival 2022 and screened at the Achill Island Film Festival this May.

Frankie Quinn (b.1966) was born into the Short Strand/Ballymacarrett community where he still lives. He began taking photographs in 1982. He holds an MFA in photography from the University of Ulster and is currently Director of the Belfast Archive Project. Visit www.sensitivevisuals.com (Tom) www.frankiequinn.com (Frankie)

Adam and Skye Mann, with James Healy-Meaney. " A Guide to becoming an Elm Tree"Adam and Skye Mann are Irish film makers living abroad in Vancouver, Canada. In December 2021 they flew home to Ireland to shoot their debut feature film, A Guide to Becoming an Elm Tree. They wrote, directed and produced the film. Over the course of 2022 they edited the film along with the help of their sound editor, mixer and composer, Carlos Solares. In early 2023 the film has been submitted to film festivals across North America and Europe. The film is a true independent feature being completely self funded by Adam and Skye. James Healy-Meaney is a young, up and coming actor from Bray. James stars in this film in the lead in what is his debut feature film. James has worked in several TV shows and films across Canada and Ireland. Adam, Skye and James all met in Canada via the Film Network Ireland facebook group.

https://www.elifigfilms.com/

Actor and Intimacy Coach Sinead Cassidy Holt. Actor, Director, Intimacy Coordinator, Producer amongst many other things, Sinéad Cassidy Holt covers a lot of bases. After studying in both the Gaiety and Bow Street, Sinéad is also now flying across the pond to tackle the US and further study in NYC and tackle LA! Going from set to set in different roles, Sinéad tells us what’s it’s really like and shares her process for keeping on top of things and how as a newcomer she balances life as a young person and fitting in with the crazy life of the film industry.

Samuel Howard & Stanley Blundell, 'Ireland's Last Matchmaker’ Since creating and co-directing his own film festival in Manchester as a student, up and coming filmmaker Sam Howard has spent the last three years working for multi-award winning production company Erica Starling, based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Sam began working on programmes for BBC 2, 3 and BBC 4 as a researcher and assistant cameraman. His directorial debut 'Ireland's Last Matchmaker’ was funded by BFI and NI Screen, and recently won ‘Best Short Documentary’ at Docs Ireland Film Festival. He is currently producing 'Chinese Takeaway Kids', a feature-length observational documentary exploring the tradition, identity and culture of three generations of the Chinese community in Ireland. The project was one of six selected for IGNITE. The documentary development scheme is a joint initiative of Cork International Film Festival & Docs Ireland

Stanley Blundell is a nice camera man. He’s a fake, wannabe Irish-man living n working out of London. (His words not ours!!!) www.ericastarling.com

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On this brand new Ep of Fni Wrapchat is Fintan Connolly and Writer Fiona Bergin. Hosted by Mark Monks. The creative minds behind the recent Irish Feature Barber.

Check out Barber staring Aidan Gillian, Still playing in the IFI and the Lighthouse this week.

Val Barber, a private investigator, is hired by a wealthy widow to find her missing granddaughter. Barber’s initial investigation into Sara’s disappearance quickly darkens. Secrets start surfacing in unexpected ways. Before too long, Barber finds himself entangled with powerful men of shady morals determined to thwart his investigation. Has he bitten off more than he can chew?

Fintan Connolly is an Irish film director, screenwriter and producer living in Dublin. Much of his earlier work was in television documentaries which explored social issues in Ireland. He has also made films, including Flick (2000), Trouble with Sex (2005), Eliot & Me (2012) and Barber (2023) through his production company Fubar Films.

Fiona is a producer and screenwriter working closely with Fintan at

Fubar Films.

Please Support our podcast, events and classes on BuyMeACoffee.com/fni and become a member!

FNI Wrapchat is Produced by PBL, Paul Webster and Edited and Mixed by Mark Monks in the heart of Dublin City Centre at the Podcast Studios. 

Check out Film Network Ireland at

https://wearefni.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/filmnetworkireland

https://twitter.com/fni_film 

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Paul Webster was joined this week by two exciting filmmakers who are very much on the up, Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney.

They are an award-winning Irish director/producer duo from Longford. They wrote, produced and directed the upcoming feature film ‘Lakelands’ which stars Éanna Hardwicke (Normal People, Vivarium), Danielle Galligan (Shadow and Bone, Kin), Lorcan Cranitch (Bloodlands) and Gary Lydon (Banshees of Inisherin). The film won Best Irish Film and Bingham Ray New Talent Award for its lead actors at the Galway Film Fleadh, having won the Bankside Award at the Galway Film Fair the previous year. It won Best Film at Kerry Film Festival and played at international festivals such as Santa Barbara Film Festival and Glasgow Film Festival. It will be released theatrically in Ireland and UK by Wildcard Distribution on May 5th. It has been nominated for four IFTAs including Best Film.

Their short film ‘Drifting’ stars Oscar nominee Paul Mescal (Normal People) and Dublin Critic’s Choice winner Dafhyd Flynn (Michael Inside). It premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh, was acquired for worldwide distribution by Network Ireland Television and played a number of Academy Award and Bafta winning festivals including Galway Film Fleadh, Dublin International Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival and Aesthetica Film Festival.

Their first short film ‘Angels Guard Thee’ premiered at Cork Film Festival that year and went on to screen at 15 festivals worldwide before being broadcast on RTÉ in late 2019.

They founded the film company Harp Media in 2018. In 2023, Robert and Patrick were profiled in the Irish Independent’s 50 Rising Stars list. Their second feature ‘Bonfires’ is in development with Screen Ireland and they are also developing a number of film and TV projects. They are represented by Curtis Brown Talent.

Join us next Thurs to Sunday in Achill Island where we will be hosting special Podcast episodes from the festival over the weekend, and hosting a very cool networking event on Thurs the 11th of May at 7pm.

We're delighted to support such an important film festival.

Make a weekend of it. Visit https://www.achillinternationalfilmfestival.com/ for your tickets and passes. #SupportTheArts

#WeAreFni

Please Support our podcast, events and classes on BuyMeACoffee.com/fni

Or on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Headstuff+ or wherever you listen to audio content.

FNI Wrapchat is Produced by PBL, Paul Webster and Edited and Mixed by Mark Monks in the heart of Dublin City Centre at the Podcast Studios.

Check out Film Network Ireland at

https://wearefni.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/filmnetworkireland

https://twitter.com/fni_film

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Paul and Mia sit down with director Sinéad O Shea to chat about her fascinating career and her stunning new feature documentary. Pray For Our Sinners tells the story of a group of citizens who resisted the status quo of systematic brutality against women and children when the Catholic church was at the height of its power in Ireland. We strongly urge you to catch this one in the cinema if you can.

Also, tonight is the night of FNI's Spring Networking Event. https://app.eventsframe.com/app/event/5423978594172928/

Sinéad O' Shea's second feature documentary, Pray For Our Sinners, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival 2022 and won acclaim on the US festival circuit. It was a nominee for Best Documentary at Chicago Film Festival and winner of Best Documentary at the Hamptons Film Festival. 

 

Sinéad's first feature documentary A Mother Brings her Son to be Shot premiered at CPH:DOX 2018 where it was nominated for a FACT Award and won worldwide acclaim. 

She was named as one of the top 10 European female filmmakers to watch by the European Film Network and Screen International and has also directed and produced films with Al Jazeera English, BBC, Channel 4 and RTE. Her first short drama, Humblebrag premiered at London BFI Festival 2019. 

Pray For Our Sinners is to be released nationwide in Ireland from April 21st. 

FNI Wrapchat is Produced by PBL, Paul Webster and Edited and Mixed by Mark Monks in the heart of Dublin City Centre at the Podcast Studios.

Check out Film Network Ireland at

https://wearefni.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/filmnetworkireland

https://twitter.com/fni_film

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Joining Paul @paulbutlerlennox on this brand spanking new ep for a chat about all things Achill and the Achill Island International Film Festival @achillfilmfestival is the wonderful Emily O’Callaghan. 

Why not come along to our Networking event on the 21st of April at 7pm.

At Northern Soul, Dublin Quays.

https://link.wearefni.com/springsprungnetworking for a TICKET!!!!

Our New Bi Monthly event. You asked for it, Get your 10 euro tickets now or become a member on BuymeaCoffee.com/Fni

Emily O’Callaghan, who is originally from Dublin but is now living on Achill Island in Co Mayo, moved 

west in September 2021, after she decided to combine her love of films, Achill and event organising 

by starting the Achill Island Film Festival.

Emily had worked in the film industry in various roles for many years, as well as organising events, such 

as comedy nights, gigs, mini festivals and stages at Electric Picnic.

Her decision to move to her family’s ancestral homeplace of Achill, where she had often holidayed as a child, was prompted by the opportunity she had to think about what she wanted from life during the 

pandemic, and by a sense that Dublin was becoming more of a rat race.

A keen fan of film festivals, Emily saw a gap in the market as there was no existing film festival in Achill. 

Indeed, the island does not even have a cinema. She also thought it would be a beautiful place for film 

industry professionals from all over the world to visit, meet and network with each other. 

After a hectic year of planning, the inaugural Achill Island Film Festival was held in May 2022. 370 

people attended the event, which screened 115 films across five venues. This year promises to more of the same in terms of quality connection, quality content and quality networking opportunities in one of Ireland's most beautiful places. The Achill Island International Film Festival runs from tye 11th of May (Thursday) until the 13th of May. 

We'll also be hosting special episodes from the festival over the weekend, and hosting a very cool networking event. 

We're delighted to support such an important film festival. 

Make a weekend of it. Visit https://www.achillinternationalfilmfestival.com/ for your tickets and passes. #SupportTheArts

Please Support this festival by donating to secure its place in the future of the industry 

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BXVRW48CJNK5J&fbclid=IwAR2bL7MPloUx_M_NjTLrEVTwnheCVZE0Klpn1qQPSsGHBZmh_31yLnYyuuE

#WeAreFni

Please Support our podcast, events and classes on BuyMeACoffee.com/fni

Or on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Headstuff+ or wherever you listen to audio content.

FNI Wrapchat is Produced by PBL, Paul Webster and Edited and Mixed by Mark Monks in the heart of Dublin City Centre at the Podcast Studios.

Check out Film Network Ireland at

https://wearefni.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/filmnetworkireland

https://twitter.com/fni_film

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Hey Film makers! Why not come along to our Networking event on the 21st of April at 7pm. At Northern Soul, Dublin Quays.

https://link.wearefni.com/springsprungnetworking for a TICKET!!!!

Our New Bi Monthly event. You asked for it, Get your 10 euro tickets now or become a member on BuymeaCoffee.com/Fni

After a little break we're back with the next episode of our podcast Wrapchat, Luke sat down with his old IADT classmate and Rising star Tara O'Callaghan!!!

Tara O'Callaghan is an Irish/Serbian director with a background in Editing. A graduate of the national film school IADT, Tara now works across a variation of film mediums. Her early work in music videos has won her Kinsale Shark Awards and a Vimeo Staff Pick. She currently works in advertising as a director with Dublin production company Motherland where she has won Emerging Director Awards for her work. Most recently, her debut short documentary ‘Call Me Mommy’ won Best Short Documentary at the Galway Film Fleadh and had its US premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Tara has just been named in the Irish Times ‘50 people to watch for 2023’.Most recently ‘Call Me Mommy’ was nominated for best live action short at this years IFTA's. 

Please Support our podcast, events and classes on BuyMeACoffee.com/fni

FNI Wrapchat is Produced by PBL, Paul Webster and Edited and Mixed by Mark Monks in the heart of Dublin City Centre at the Podcast Studios. 

Check out Film Network Ireland at

https://wearefni.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/filmnetworkireland

https://twitter.com/fni_film

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why not come along to our Networking event on the 21st of April at 7pm.

At Northern Soul, Dublin Quays.

https://link.wearefni.com/springsprungnetworking for TICKET!!!!

Our New Bi Monthly event. You asked for it, Get your 10 euro tickets now or become a member on BuymeaCoffee.com/Fni

On this weeks episode of FNI Wrapchat. Luke Brabazon (Our Brand new Co-Host, Welcome Luke) sat down in the Podcast Studios with the immersive musical talent that is Natasa Paulsberg.

Natasa Paulberg is an award-winning Australian/Irish composer with compositions for the concert hall, television, film, advertising and gaming. Natasa has scored many projects including the The Hunger documentary, narrated by Liam Neeson, and performed by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and has won two Best Original Score awards for the film The Yellow Dress, and Best Music Award for The Hunger. Natasa also recently scored the RTÉ series' The Island narrated by Liz Bonnin, and The Irish Civil War narrated by Brendan Gleeson, with the documentary feature Atomic Hope out in Irish cinemas this 17th February.

Please Support our podcast, events and classes on BuyMeACoffee.com/fni

FNI Wrapchat is Produced by PBL, Paul Webster and Edited and Mixed by Mark Monks in the heart of Dublin City Centre at the Podcast Studios. 

Check out Film Network Ireland at

https://wearefni.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/filmnetworkireland

https://twitter.com/fni_film

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