Screen Directors Guild of Ireland

The Arts Council Panel Discussion takes place on Thursday June 25th in the Director's Screening Room from 12.30 - 2pm.

Fionnuala Sweeney, Head of Film will be in attendance to answer any of your questions regarding available funding and the Arts Councils strategic plans for the remainder of 2009 and into 2010.
To register for this event please inform Liz Dodd by email at liz@sdgi.ie

European Directors

under a common European contract

 

Budapest, 13 June 2009

 

 

 

European Directors want to see a Common European contract which sets out the rights and responsibilities of the audiovisual director. “This is not about money, it’s about keeping alive the unique voice of European film in world culture” said István Szabó, President of FERA, the Federation of European Film Directors. This year’s FERA General Assembly Meeting in Budapest was attended by over 60 film and television directors representing 27 European countries. 

 

FERA is the key defender in Europe of the economic and creative rights of audiovisual directors. FERA members also recognize that with these rights come moral responsibilities to properly reflect, along with other creative people, the concerns and aspirations of the society we inhabit. “The director must take responsibility for the content of his or her film and this responsibility is not possible without rights” said István Szabó.

 

Film, in the 21st century, is a crucial part of the aesthetic expression of European identity, tradition and culture; it unites us in a way that transcends language. FERA wishes to be part of the mission to communicate these values and heritage to a new generation. 

 

Like other industries, the audiovisual industry faces challenging economic times. FERA believes that the director, who has always had to balance the creative demands with the economic realities of filmmaking, is the key to facing this challenge. However, we need to explore new models of distribution in order to give European film greater visibility among audiences around the world.

 

Creative authorship is a vital area of growth today, but the internet increases the need to re-establish the link between a work, his or her author and the audience. FERA supports the Director’s vision and the daily struggle to maintain the integrity of their work.

 

 

 

 

 

Contact: Cécile Despringre, tel: +32 475 65 24 99

Screen Directors Guild of Ireland and Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism
Announce Winner of 5th U.S Distribution Showcase

The Screen Directors Guild of Ireland, in association with the Directors Guild of America, announce that the winner of the
 
Directors Finders Series 2009 is           
 
Ken Wardrop and his feature documentary His and Hers

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism joins in congratulating the winner of the prestigious award

Dublin, May 26th 2009  Ken Wardrop and his stunning feature documentary His and Hers was announced today as the winner of the Directors Finders Series, providing this acclaimed Irish filmmaker with the opportunity to showcase his feature at the Directors Guild of America Theatre in LA in August.  The showcase will take place in front of an invited audience of American distributors, filmmakers, and key industry personnel, with the aim of securing a US distribution deal for the film.  
 
Selected by an international panel of experts His and Hers is a beautifully observed and innovative documentary that combines observation and imagination to illustrate a universal love story.  The film explores woman’s relationship with man by visiting moments from the lives of 70 female characters.  Shot in the hallways, living rooms and kitchens of the Irish Midlands, the story moves sequentially from young to old to deliver a unique and touching insight into sharing life’s journey.
 
The initiative, conceived by the Directors Guild of America and facilitated by the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland, presents an Irish director with an opportunity to showcase theirfilm and to have direct access to decision makers in the film distribution process in the US. The awards spotlight works of fiction, documentary or drama feature submissions from Irish directors who have not secured U.S distribution for their films.

Ken Wardrop has been described as one of Ireland’s freshest creative talents. His authentic filmmaking voice has led to many original short cinematic works. With a strong emphasis on the aesthetic and a delicate humanity, Ken’s art has garnered much international attention, with screenings at some of the most prestigious festivals including Sundance, Locarno, Cannes and Oberhausen. His films have received over thirty international awards including a European Film Academy Award for his short film Undressing My Mother in 2005.  His and Hers is Ken’s debut feature film.
 
“It is an overwhelming honour for me to be presented with this incredible opportunity – I’m incredibly grateful to the panel of judges for giving my film such a stamp of approval, and I’m so excited about presenting the film at the Director’s Guild of America theatre on Sunset Boulevard,” commented Ken Wardrop on hearing of being selected.
 
Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism said: “I would like to congratulate Ken Wardrop on receiving this year’s Directors Series Award for his feature documentary His and Hers. His selection by an international panel from a highly competitive field of entries is indicative of his remarkable creative ability. This award is highly prestigious and brings with it a fantastic personal opportunity for Ken to have work presented and showcased in Los Angeles. I wish Ken every success in the US this summer and I also congratulate the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland - its Board and Staff - led by Chairman, Ciaran Donnelly on their direct involvement in this exciting key initiative for rising Irish filmmakers.”
 
This year, SDGI will launch Ken Wardrop and his film His and Hers at a special Industry Awards Ceremonyon July 16th in Dublin in The Morrison Hotel, to precede the L.A Screening Event in August. This event will be will be officially opened by the Minister for Arts, Sports & Tourism, Martin Cullen TD & will be co-hosted by internationally acclaimed directors Jim Sheridan & Neil Jordan.

Previous winners of the Directors Finders Series have gone on to make a significant impact on the international film stage, with last year’s winner Tomm Moore’s The Secret of Kells winning numerous awards and providing the filmmaker with opportunities to develop key relationships with studios and distributors worldwide

This award is supported by
The Irish Film Board, The Directors Guild of America,
Culture Ireland, American Airlines, Paulaner & The Morrison Hotel.

In the first of a series of speeddating events planned by SDGI for its members in 2009 over 17 directors and 20 writers came together on Thursday May 27th in the upstairs meeting room of the IFI on Eustace Street.

Welcoming those in attendance SDGI's acting Executive Director Claire McEwen and the Irish Playwrights and Screenwriters Guilds David Kavanagh wished all a fruitful evening and promised to support any director / writer partnerships that may emerge from the evening, with the administrative resources of both guilds being made available to help bring collaborations to the next stage. 

With a blow of her whistle SDGI executive administrator Liz Dodd kicked off the event at 6.45 sharp with writers moving and pitching ideas to directors at five minute intervals. Concluding at 9.45pm all agreed that the evening had been very enjoyable with many wishing to pursue possible relationships further.

SDGI will host a Director/Writer Speed dating Event in association with the Irish Playwrights & Screenwriters Guild on Wednesday May 27th in the upstairs meeting room of the Irish Film Institute. Starting with some light refreshments at 6pm the business of the event will begin promptly at 6.30pm with each writer and director meeting for 5 minutes before moving on.

The last event of this type proved to be a very successful collaboration and we have no doubt that there will be great interest from both writers and directors again this time. Numbers however will be limited due to the size of the venue and we would advise that you book your place for this event at  your earliest convenience.