This article is from page 14 of the 2014-09-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
A NEW Clare feature film, which is set for a nationwide release later this month, was saved by Northern Ireland Screen after both the Irish Film Board (IFB) and the Irish Arts Council refused to to give it any funding.
The film, which is entitled ‘A Nightingale Falling’, is based on a novel of the same name by Kilnaboy broadcaster and writer, PJ Curtis.
The production company behind the film, Mixed Bag Media, made five separate funding applications in the Republic of Ireland and were rejected on each occasion.
These application included a request to the Irish Film Board for just € 2,000, which was turned down earlier this year.
Had this request been granted it would have given the film official IFB accreditation – allowing it to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival as well as allowing it to access the IFB’s own distribution supports.
Instead, the film, which is set in North Clare during the Irish War of Independence, was saved by unexpected funding from north of the border, and the IMC group of cinemas, who agreed to screen the film nationwide.
“We applied to the Arts Council two years in a row and applied to the Irish Film Board on a number of occasions.
“We never at any stage set up to be an independent film.
“We actively engaged and asked for help all the time,” said Garret Daly of Mixed Bag Media.
“We applied to the Irish Film Board on three separate occasions, the last time being the cost of the print that we showed at the Galway Film Fleadh.
“It became apparent to us as we were making the film that the IFB have their own distribution support fund, and if you don’t have IFB money in your project, you’re not entitled to apply for it.
“That was staring us in the face as we were completing the film – if we didn’t have IFB money in the film then realistically, no-one would be able to see it, because we would not be able to get it distributed.”
With funding for the production running out, Northern Ireland Screen stepped in to fund the recording of the films score by the Ulster Orchestra while, following rave reviews at the Galway Film Fleadh, the IMC independent group of cinemas came on board to ensure screening the film nationwide.
“The Irish Film Board have to make decisions on films every day. It’s hard to know how to react [to being rejected for funding]. It’s a subjective medium.
“All we can do is try and make it as successful as possible,” said Garret.
A spokesperson from the IFB yes- terday claimed that the organisation had received two, and not three, applications in relation to ‘A Nightingale Falling’.
“Whilst we can’t comment on the funding decisions of other funding bodies, I can confirm that all applications received by the IFB go through a rigorous assessment process and final funding decisions are made by the IFB board,” said a spokesperson.
“There is very strong competition for IFB development funding awards. In 2013 the IFB received 329 applications of which only 168 awards were made. Completion funding is even more competitive with much less funding awards available, with only three completion funding awards made in 2013. It is important to note that final funding decisions are and must be made on the strength of the application, the script and the specific film project involved and not on the amount of funding requested, no matter how small.
“We would like to wish the team behind ‘A Nightingale Falling’ every success with the exploitation of this film. Our production and development department is already in discussion with the team behind ‘A Nightingale Falling’ on a separate project.”
‘A Nightingale Falling’ will be screened in the Ennis cinema and 13 other cinema’s nationwide for a week from September 12. ENNIS native Eoin Doohan will be leading 50 cyclists from Dundalk to Liscannor this week in aid of cancer charities, with Cahercalla Hospice just one of the worthy causes set to benefit from the fundraising event. Eoin and his group are hoping to raise € 75,000 this week. “We will be stopping in Ennis Golf Club on Friday morning around 11am and that is almost the last leg of the cycle. “Hopefully there will be a good local turnout to welcome us and maybe throw a few euros into the bucket,” reports Eoin, who has undertaken a strict training regime to prepare for the 350km trip. The idea for the cycle came after Eoin lost a close friend Stephen Carroll last November. “Unfortunately in November 2013 a close friend of mine, Stephen Carroll, lost his year-long struggle against cancer. Stephen was just 38 and left a wife and three young kids behind him,” he said. “Stephen, among many things, was a wonderful cyclist and in the weeks before he passed away I told him of my intention to raise money for a number of cancer charities by undertaking a fundraising cycle from Dundalk to Liscannor in 2014. “The charities to benefit are The Irish Cancer Society, The North Louth Hospice and The Clare Hos
pice at Cahercalla.
“The help and support provided by the various cancer charities proved invaluable throughout Stephen’s fight against cancer and while it is impossible to repay the palliative care team and night nurses for how they cared for Stephen and his family I hope to raise funds in his name to ensure the amazing work these charities do continues,” said Eoin, who added, “I can still remember the look on Stephen’s face when I told him what we were planning.
“He got a good laugh out of it. Stephen was a great guy. It will be very emotional when we start, during and on the finish of the cycle.”
The cycle begins this Wednesday from from Stephen’s house in Dundalk this Wednesday and the group intend to finish in Liscannor on Friday evening.
Anyone who wants to contribute to such a worthy cause can click onto www.mycharity.ie and click on Sponsor a Friend and type in Eoin Doohan, or make their way to Ennis Golf Club on Friday morning and greet the cyclists and maybe contribute there.