15/03/2007

Hot on the heels of the recent success of Irish films abroad – including Once [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (see article) and Pavee Lackeen [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (see article) – a new production and training programme has been launched in Ireland, for screenwriters, producers and film directors of low budget feature films.

Entitled catalystproject, the programme begins with a mentoring phase, from which three successful teams will be awarded €250,000 each to make a feature. The projects will be selected on the basis of "talent, conviction, originality and quality of vision".

The initiative is the result of a partnership between the Irish Film Board, Screen Training Ireland, film resource centre Filmbase, The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, TV3 and the Arts Council.

Artistic director of catalystproject is Liz Gill (Goldfish Memory), herself an award-winning filmmaker, who says: "The project is a unique training opportunity for writers, directors and producers in which they get intimate contact with international and Irish low-budget practitioners, and the opportunity to make a feature film."

Participants of catalystproject will attend seminars held by Irish and international award-winning filmmakers, including independent producer Christine Vachon, producer/consultant Bruce Block, and the production teams behind Once and the BAFTA-nominated London To Brighton [+see also:
trailer
film profile].

Simon Perry, CEO of the Irish Film Board, added: "The Catalyst Workshops are designed to give Irish filmmakers the knowledge and the tools needed to make a real piece of cinema with limited resources."