Mid-West Filmmakers Travel to the European Film Market in Berlin to Pitch Projects as part of Film in Limerick Delegation.
A locally-based producer and an emerging screenwriter have been selected to join this year’s Film in Limerick Delegation to the European Film Market in Berlin, to pitch their feature film projects to film financiers.
The initiative by Innovate Limerick through Film in Limerick, and in partnership with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, has selected local producer Tara Doolan and local screenwriter Richard Lynch, to attend this year's international film market.
Taking place alongside the Berlinale Film Festival, the European Film Market (EFM) is one of the top film markets in the world. Attended by over 8,300 international industry professionals including 1,500 buyers and more than 480 exhibitors, the EFM is where independent film producers find partners and finance to make their projects a reality.
Producer Tara Doolan will be pitching her Screen Ireland backed TV project, 'Bluebell Fields', while screenwriter Richard Lynch is attending with his Screen Ireland backed feature script, 'The Crier'.
Delegation participant Tara Doolan commented:
"I am delighted to be attending Berlinale and EFM this year, thanks to the support of Innovate Limerick, Film in Limerick and the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. It is a very beneficial experience and to be supported so well on a local level is incredibly appreciated and important for emerging companies and filmmakers producing work in the Mid-West region."
Delegation participant Richard Lynch commented:
“I am honoured to go to the Berlinale, EFM this year, as it has been a dream of mine since I was a young child to make a horror movie. I wrote the screenplay with two of my best friends Gary O'Donnell and Tracy Aspel and we have poured our heart and souls into this story. To have our work acknowledged by two respected film organisations such as Film In Limerick and Screen Ireland is a dream come through. Much thanks to Film in Limerick, Innovate Limerick and the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board."
Regional Film Manager Paul C. Ryan said:
“In partnership with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, we continue to support local producers and writers to develop new projects and IP and to build their networks and knowledge at an international level. The participants attend industry training events and learn how to attract finance for their future projects. We look forward to seeing new projects produced in the region driven by our locally based creatives."
Commenting on the initiative, Paul Patton, Director of Further Education and Training, at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board said:
“We are delighted to continue this innovative initiative with Film in Limerick, providing real world training and experience for producers and screenwriters who are actively developing their feature and TV projects. Along with our other film training supports, we continue to partner to address skills gaps and to create pathways into working in the screen industries in the Mid-West.
The European Film Market and Berlinale takes place from 13th to 23rd February, with American filmmaker Todd Haynes named as Jury President and British actress Tilda Swinton set to receive the Honorary Golden Bear.
