Screen Directors Guild of Ireland

SDGI is delighted to make members travelling to LA aware that we have negotiated a 10% discount for SDGI members staying at the beautiful Grafton on Sunset Hotel which is centrally located on Sunset Boulevard, close to the offices of the Directors Guild of America.

The next SDGI Directors Club will feature Lance Daly with his latest feature film Kisses. In a special pre-release screening, Lance will discuss with SDGI Members how he evoked extraordinary performances from his cast in this compelling story. Kisses is due for Nationwide release on the 21st of November.
 
Guild members will have a unique opportunity to chat to Lance following the screening and an opportunity for networking over complimentary drinks. The event takes place on Thursday the 13th of November 6.30pm in SDGI’s new Sony Screening Room.
 
In a colourless suburb on the outskirts of Dublin, pre-teen neighbours Kylie and Dylan endure their respective family troubles, with only their friendship bringing any respite or prospect of fun to their lives. When a violent altercation convinces Dylan to run away from home in search of his older brother who, he believes, escaped to the city two years previously, the spirited Kylie insists on joining him. The pair set off on an adventure into the heart of the capital, one that they hope will lead them to a better life.
Dublin is presented in kaleidoscopic colour, a veritable Oz in comparison to the black and white Kansas-like homes that Kylie and Dylan leave, but, as the night wears on, the darker, nastier characteristics of the city emerge. While the kindness of strangers and the advice of Bob Dylan help them along their way, the kids have to use their wits and their trust in each other to survive. Neither Kelly O'Neill nor Shane Curry, who play the two leads, have acted in film before, but you would never know it, as they deliver open, exceptional performances. Lance Daly's latest feature is a brilliantly realised, contemporary fable, a credible and gritty depiction of growing up in modern Ireland. - Michael Hayden

The Directors’ Club was launched April last and since its inception has hosted clubs with David Gleeson, John Carney, Lenny Abrahamson, Marian Quinn, Jim Sheridan, Neil Jordan, Declan Recks, Michel Oseclot and Paul Bolger. SDGI are delighted to feature Lance Daly on this occasion.
 
This event is open to members of SDGI only. Seats are strictly limited, please RSVP on 01 6337433 or email liz@sdgi.ie to confirm your place.
 
The Directors’ Club shows a selection of features, dramas, animation and documentary which have been important moments in the history of film and culture and/or in some cases went under the radar from deserved attention. The screenings are followed by an intimate and relaxed dialogue between the director and guild members.  The director shares anecdotes about his/her experience of directing, and fellow directors are encouraged to speak about their own work in relation to the work they have seen.  The evening aims to foster and promote a greater sense of the director’s perspective nationally and internationally and, most importantly, have some fun.
  

SDGI were honoured to host the 7th IAESDO General Assembly in Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel from the 4th - 5th September. 

Attending delegates came from all IAESDO member countries and included Michael Apted (Chairman) and Jay Roth (CEO) of the DGA, Ray Argall (President) ADG, Annie Goldson (President) & Anna Cahill (Executive Director) SDGNZ, Suzan Dormer (Directors UK), George Mihalka (First Vice President) DGC, Tom Bell of BECTU and Birch Hamilton (Executive Director) SDGI.

Chaired by SDGI member Paddy Breathnach the organizations two day conference continued in its aim to share and organize with each other and to discuss international and domestic issues. Topics discussed included a review of Film & TV production in member countries, Creator's Rights, Network Neutrality & the Impact of Media Consolidation.

IAESDO members also attended a networking event at the Finders Series Award Party on September 4th in the Morrison Hotel and enjoyed meeting SDGI members in a more informal setting.

John Carney hosts Irish Film Awards & advises winning director on what to expect in L.A!

The word on the ground last night was that The Directors Finders Series is the 'New IFTA's!'

Speaking to a crowded Film & TV event run by The Screen Directors Guild of Ireland, The Directors Finders Series,John Carney told how he found himself in the middle of a bidding war with 'Once' & actually heard the buzz about the film while sitting in a taxi & overhearing others sharing the taxi
speaking about a 'great, quirkly little Irish Musical Film!'
He wished winning director, Tomm Moore & his feature animation 'The Secret of Kells' all the best when they head over to L.A in two weeks time for their industry screening on Sunset Boulevard, in an effort to get a U.S distribution deal for the film & hopes that he will find himself in the same 'great position of fielding call after call from the top guys in the top distribution houses.'

Also co-hosted by Michael Apted (The Chronicles of Narnia: Dawn Treader, Gorillas in the Mist, The World is Not Enough, etc), Michael said that he believed there was a very good chance in Tomm & his feature animation being very successful in the U.S.
In addition to the 350 high profile film & television industry attendees, there were representatives from the Directors Guilds of American, Canada, Britain, Australia & New Zealand in attendance....including such names as Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Changing Lanes),  Ciaran Donnelly (The Tudors Series 1, 2, 3, Robinhood), Declan Recks (Pure Mule, Eden), Paddy Breathnach (Man About Dog, Shrooms, I Went Down).
The new wave of Irish animation talent also supported the event including Academy Award nominated Brown Bag Films (‘Give Up Yer Aul Sins’).

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA – VANCOUVER

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR POSITION IN FILM PRODUCTION

The Department of Theatre and Film is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Film Production. Applicants should have professional expertise in directing feature length and short fiction film.

Please visit www.film.ubc.ca for the official published faculty posting and directions on how to apply. Deadline for applications is October 17th, 2008.