Both Brendan McCarthy and John Mc Donnell of FF will attend the Berlinale from 7th -13th Feb.

Neasa Hardiman's Sea Fever has wrapped principal photography.

Neasa Hardiman's feature Sea Fever commences shoot. See more at https://www.screenireland.ie/news/connie-nielsen-and-dougray-scott-join-hermione-corfield-in-the-female-drive

Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg wrapped today on Lorcan Finnegan's new Sci-Fi movie Vivarium.

Principal Photography starts today on "Vivarium" directed by Lorcan Finnegan and starring Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg.

Prep has begun on Lorcan Finnegan's "Vivarium" written by Garret Shanley.

Jaume Balaguero's tense thriller "Muse" is to premiere at the Audi Dublin International Film Festival on Wednesday 28th February. See more at http://www.diff.ie/festival/film/muse

Dennis Bartoks chilling "Nails" is available on iTunes in the US. See more at https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/nails/id1297169382

Jaume Belaguero's haunting new movie "Muse" gets an initial release in Spain on over 200 screens. See more at http://www.filmaxinternational.com/film/muse

Dennis Bartok's horror is to have its North American premiere at the world famous Egyptian Theatre http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/nails-0

Mark Sheridan's supremely creepy "Crone Wood plays at Lund Fantastic Film Festival http://www.fff.se/en/film/crone-wood/

Jaume Balaguero's new film Muse to get its premiere at the 50th Anniversary of Sitges.

See more at http://sitgesfilmfestival.com/eng/film/?id=10004884

Fantastic Films Brendan Mc Carthy and John Mc Donnell are heading to Montreal for the Frontieres Co-Production.

They will be participating on a Eurimages panel discussing the financing of Jaume Balaguero's upcoming fim "Muse"

see more at http://www.frontieresmarket.com/en/programme/

Fantastic Films are delighted that we have three movies for sale at Cannes:

Jaume Balaguaro's highly anticipated "MUSE" is being sold by Filmax. Dennis Bartok's supremely creepy "Nails" “NAILS is a truly terrifying and suffocating horror film”, (Festival Director Gráinne Humphreys, ADIFF) is being sold by Kaliedoscope and Jinga are selling Mark Sheridan's "terrifying blend of Blair Witch and The Wickerman" (Film Ireland) "Crone Wood"

Dennis Bartok's "Nails" is to screen at the wonderful BIFFF on 8/3/17.

We can't wait. For more info see http://www.bifff.net/product/nails/

Conor McMahon's Strangers In The Night gets Special Mention Audience Award at CIFF. For More see http://www.chicagoirishfilmfestival.com/news

Our new film Dennis Bartok's "Nails" reviewed by Screen Anarchy http://screenanarchy.com/2017/02/dublin-2017-review-nails-slam-the-coffin-shut-in-this-horror-hospital.html

Dennis Bartok's terrifying "Nails" is to screen as part of the Audi Dublin International Film Festival. See more at http://www.diff.ie/festival/film/nails

Billy O Brien's I Am Not A Serial Killer opens in UK & Ireland on December 9th

see more at http://www.bulldog-film.com/films/i-am-not-a-serial-killer/

See the new poster & article on our new film "Nails" at Screen Anarchy

 

 

Deirdre Levins and Director Conor Mc Mahon (Stitches, Strangers in the Night) have curated a programme of short Horror Films which takes place tonight @ Kinnity Castle. Full programme available at http://www.offlinefilmfestival.com/2016programme

SXSW Hit I Am Not A Serial Killer Released on 26th August. See Trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQBnWWWU-gU

SXSW Hit I Am Not A Serial Killer Released in The US. See Trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQBnWWWU-gU

We are delighted to announce that Creative Europe has once again supported Fantastic Films, This time with Slate Development Funding.

See more at http://www.creativeeuropeireland.eu/media/news/articles/media-slate-funding-success-for-irish-companies

Soulless to be directed by Brian O Malley (Let Us Prey) is heading for the Market at Frontieres

see more at https://cinemaslasher.com/2016/05/13/fantasias-frontieres-market-2016-receives-first-participants/

Billy O Brien's I am not a serial killer taken by IFC for North America.

see more at http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ifc-midnight-nabs-i-am-892463

We are thrilled that Corin Hardy won best Horror feature at the Empire Awards seehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alMTLz5uimw

We are thrilled for Corin Hardy, Director of The Hallow on winning best Horror at the Empire Awards

see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alMTLz5uimw

Billy O Brien's new movie I Am Not A Serial Killer gets its World Premiere at this years South By South West festival in Austin, Texas. See more at http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/news/I_AM_NOT_A_SERIAL_KILLER_to_Receive_World_Premiere_at_SXSW/3011

Amazing to see all of the Irish Nominations for this years Oscars. Wishing them all the best for success. see more at http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/irish-oscar-nominations-exceed-all-expectations-1.2497413

To Celebrate the release of Cherry Tree in North America our Friends in Fangoria have an interview with director David Keating. Read More at http://www.fangoria.com/new/qa-director-david-keating-on-the-centipedes-and-other-horrors-of-cherry-tree-with-new-art/

Happy Christmas everybody from Fantastic Films. Coming in 2016, Dennis Bartok's P.O.V. , David Keating's Cherry Tree and Billy O Brien's I Am Not A Serial Killer. See our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FantasticFilmsLtd/

Corin Hardy has been nominated for The Douglas Hickox Award for best debut Director for our co-production The Hallow

see more at http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/news/Nominations_for_lsquoThe_Lobsterrsquo_lsquoBrooklynrsquo_lsquoThe_Hallowrsquo_and_lsquoRoomrsquo_at_BIFA/2924

David Keating's Cherry Tree and Corin Hardy's The Hallow are both set for New York screenings at the Film Society Lincoln Centre Scary Movies 9 in early November

see more at http://www.filmlinc.org/festivals/scary-movies-9/

Wes Craven the genius behind Freddie and so much more has sadly left us.

See more http://variety.com/2015/film/news/wes-craven-dead-scream-nightmare-on-elm-street-1201581630/

Fantastic Films take over Frightfest. Thanks guys for an amazing time!

see more at https://www.facebook.com/FantasticFilmsLtd?fref=ts

Corin Hardy's stunning debut "The Hallow" is to hit North American screens on Nov 6th.

Read More at http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3357677/the-hallow-set-terrify-november/

Brian O Malley's stunning feature debut "Let Us Prey" has made it to the TasteofCinema.com Top 20

European Horror Films from the 21st Century you must watch List.

See more at http://www.tasteofcinema.com/2015/20-european-horror-films-from-the-21st-century-you-must-watch/

Fantastic Films has Three Films at this years FrightFest.

The Festival opens with David Keating's (Wake Wood) new witch & centipede laden Cherry Tree.

Corin Hardy's stunning feature debut "The Hallow" and Conor Mc Mahon's (Stitches) hilarious new short

"Strangers In The Night"

See more at http://www.frightfest.co.uk/news.html

Fantastic Films new production, David Keating's hotly anticipated new film "Cherry Tree" is the opening film at this years FrightFest.

http://www.frightfest.co.uk/news.html

"Cherry Tree" is also having its Canadian premiere at this years Fantasia Festival

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/380743-fantasia-2015-ju-kind-hate-new-international-terrors/#/slide/1

Brian O Malley's "Let Us Prey" is in selected Cinemas in Ireland and Northern Ireland from this Friday!

See it soon and Often! in the following locations

Cork            Mahon Point Omniplex
Dublin         Cineworld
Dublin         Dun Laoghaire IMC
Dublin         Rathmines Omniplex
Dublin         Movies @ Dundrum
Dublin         Odeon Coolock
Belfast        Movie House Dublin Road
Lisburn        Omniplex
Newry         Omniplex
Belfast         Movie House City Side

Brian O Malley's Let Us Prey was released yesterday in North America. Today it is number 2 in the Horror Charts

 

 

Fantastic Films have five feature films selling at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

MPI are selling David Keating's "Cherry Tree".

Metrodome are selling Brian O Malley's "Let Us Prey"

Altitude are selling Corin Hardy's "The Hallow"

Independant are selling Billy O Brien's "I am Not A Serial Killer"

Fortissimo are selling Dennis Bartok's "P.O.V."

John Mc Donnell and Brendan Mc Carthy from Fantastic Films will be attending Cannes from 16th-18th May.

To celebrate the upcoming Sold Out Irish Premiere of Let Us Prey at JDIFF, our amazing composer Steve Lynch has released the closing credits song "Gather up the Devils". See more at http://www.stellarsound.ie/

Our new Web Series (R)onanism launches on Storyland on Feb 16th, continuing the Valentine's tradition of love.

Only this time its about a guy who loves himself. see more at http://www.rte.ie/drama/tv/featured/storyland/ronanism/

Corin Hardy's Sundance Smash The Hallow has sold to IFC Midnight, see more at  http://deadline.com/2015/02/the-hallow-ifc-sundance-horror-1201365808/

Our new film in Co-Production with Occupant Entertainment "The Hallow" Directed by Corin Hardy gets its world premiere at Park City Utah. See http://www.sundance.org/blogs/news/spotlight-midnight-and-new-frontier-films-announced-for-2015-festival

A new game based on our movie Let Us Prey Directed by Brian O Malley has been released. See http://prmac.com/release-id-72288.htm

 

Fantastic Films short "Aroma" to screen as part of North by Northwest

see more at http://cinemobile.ie/creative-europe-north-by-northwest-films-on-the-fringe/

Brian O Malley's "Let Us Prey" to have its US Premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas.

See more at http://fantasticfest.com/films/P54

LUP is opening gala screening at Grimmfest

see more at http://grimmfest.com/grimmupnorth/tickets/

Let Us Prey gets its Canadian Premiere at Fantasia.

See more at http://www.fantasiafestival.com/2014/en/films-schedule/26/let-us-prey

Let Us Prey to screen at Puchon.

see more at Let Us Prey @ Puchon http://www.pifan.com/eng/program/program_view.asp?pk_seq=1493&sc_category_seq=508&sc_num=1&actEvent=view

"Let Us Prey" has been officially selected to screen at the Edinburgh Film Festival, 2014.

Let Us Prey wins the Meliée d'Argent - best European Fantastic Film! Our first festival and our first win. Thanks to all involved. http://bit.ly/1tq5nqO

The official web site for "Let Us Prey", including stills and the movie trailer, has launched at http://www.letuspreymovie.com

see http://www.ifta.ie/nominees_2014/index.html

 

 

The Last Days on Mars, directed by Ruairí Robinson and starring Liev Schreiber, Romola Garai, Elias Koteas and Olivia Williams releases in the U.S on 31st October on iTunes and on demand. In U.S theatre 6th December.

 

https://www.facebook.com/LastDaysOnMars 

 

 

  

We are thrilled to announce LET US PREY, a new horror film directed by Irish talent Brian O'Malley.

Starring Liam Cunningham (‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Hunger’) and Pollyanna McIntosh (‘The Woman’, ‘Filth’), Let Us Prey charts the fallout when an enigmatic stranger takes over the minds of the detainees in a remote Scottish police station.

Currently in post-production LET US PREY has secured distribution in German-speaking Europe by Alamode/Pierrot Le Fou, with Falcon Films covering the Middle East and Premiere TV Distribution securing rights for Benelux.

 

 

The Summit releases in Irish cinemas today. To find a cinema near you check out http://thesummitfilm.com 

The Summit has been named Best Feature Length Film at the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in Canada!

http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2013/1105/484703-the-summit/

For more information check out http://thesummitfilm.com

 

The Last Days on Mars, directed by Ruairí Robinson and starring Liev Schreiber, Romola Garai, Elias Koteas and Olivia Williams releases in the U.S on 31st October on iTunes and on demand. In U.S theatre 6th December.

Check out the trailer here.

The Summit hits U.S cinemas 4th October. Click on link to to find a cinema near you!

http://thesummitfilm.com/#home

The Last Days On Mars U.S trailer has premiered over at iTunes Trailers! Starring Liev Schreiber (Goon, X-Men Origins Wolverine). Hit the link to check it now:
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/magnolia/thelastdaysonmars/

Last Days on Mars will be available in the U.S on Demand 10/31 and In Theatres 12/6 from Magnet Releasing!

The offical UK trailer for Ruairí Robinson's "The Last Days on Mars" is now exclusively available online. You can watch it on MSN by clicking here.

The Summit trailer is now EXCLUSIVELY available online at Apple Trailers. You can see it here - http://bit.ly/1cGq20D 

Directed by Nick Ryan, this film tells the thrilling story of the deadliest day on the world's most dangerous mountain, when 11 climbers mysteriously perished on K2.

http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4286259&tpl=archnews&force=1

The Hollywood Reporter grabs a few minutes with director Ruairí Robinson and actress Olivia Williams to discuss the making of The Last Days on Mars. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHYfKILGyh0

The Last Days on Mars screened 20th May in Directors’ Fortnight category of Cannes Film Festival 2013. Fantastic Films attended the screening with the support of Culture Ireland.

Following the successful Directors Fortnight screening of Ruairi Robinson's The Last Days on Mars, see the LA Times review  ...

Friday, May 24,2013

Cannes 2013: 'The Last Days on Mars' leaves impression

CANNES, France -- “The Last Days on Mars,” one of the most commercial films up for grabs in Cannes’ official sections, made a strong impression when it screened as part of the Quinzaine des Realisateurs, or Directors Fortnight, on Monday afternoon.

One of the rare science-fiction films to have partial funding from the Irish Film Board, this is the debut feature for Los Angeles-based Irish filmmaker Ruairi Robinson.

Set during the last 19 hours of the first manned mission to Mars, “Last Days” stars Liev Schrieber, Elias Koteas, Romola Garai and Olivia Williams as crew members clearly getting on each others’ nerves as the clock winds down.

Well-written by Clive Dawson in a plot initially reminiscent of Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus,” a crew member discovers a form of bacterial life on the planet and makes the mistake of thinking of taking it back to Earth. The bacterium, however, turns out to have the nasty habit of turning crew members into grotesque and violent zombies (are there any other kind?).

The story may be familiar, but the way Robinson has directed it is undeniably gripping. “Mars” is a nifty genre exercise, a lean, muscular and fast-moving B picture that shows that science-fiction smartly done on a budget can hold its own with anything.

Article in The Irish Times featuring an interview with FF http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/the-irish-martians-launching-a-surprise-cannes-invasion-1.1400334

Fantastic Films are delighted to announce that the UK/Irish Co-Production Ruairi Robinson's  "The Last Days on Mars" has been chosen for Directors Fortnight in Cannes. See http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/news/Irish_SciFi_Feature_Film_lsquoLast_Days_On_Marsrsquo_Selected_For_Directorrsquos_Fortnight_at_the_Cannes_Film_Festival/2185

The Summit, Nick Ryan's award winning Documantery to feature at Sundance London http://www.sundance-london.com/event/summit

Out in the UK/Ireland today see http://www.screamhorrormag.com/win-a-copy-of-stitches-on-dvd/

See here for details http://www.movieweb.com/news/exclusive-stitches-bad-clown-poster-april-fools-day-release-announced

UK/ Ireland *EXCLUSIVE* pre-release of Stitches Movie today on iTunes! Dark Sky Films will soon be announcing exciting things for STITCHES' U.S. release...

See http://thesummitfilm.com/

Nick Ryan's documentary much sought after at sundance

http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/news/Irish_film_The_Summit_Snapped_up_by_Major_US_Distributor_at_Sundance_Festival/2103

http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3207178/best-worst-12-mr-disgustings-list-of-the-best-horror-films-of-2012/

First look at the new trailer for Nick Ryan's feature Documentary "The Summit" which has its international premiere at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival

http://www.movies.ie/movie_news/the_summit__trailer_for_sundance_climbing_documentary

Nick Ryan's breathtaking "The Summit" is in competition at Sundance 2013

http://www.sundance.org/festival/release/2013-sundance-film-festival-announces-films-in-u.s.-and-world-competitions-/

Check out Stitches Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/stitchesthemovie?ref=ts&fref=ts

"Stitches" has won the Best Feature award in the Midnight X-treme category of the Sitges Film Festival in Spain. More details to follow as we get them. Meanwhile, here's a link to the movie's profile page on the festival web site ... http://sitgesfilmfestival.com/eng/film/?id=10002447

A new 30-second teaser for STITCHES has been released and can be viewed on YouTube at ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBSqWNj2vok

Or you can play the embedded version below.

To view the exclusive clips, all you have to do is "like" the official Stitches page that the clips are on.

Click here to go to Facebook and watch them.

The official trailer for STITCHES is now on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjpvHBndhNM

Or, you can see it embedded in the Stitches movie page on this site by clicking here.

Starring Ross Noble and Tommy Knight, Conor McMahon's STITCHES is released in the UK and Ireland on 26th October, 2012.

MPI Media, Fantastic Films strike genre deal

9 September, 2012

By Jeremy Kay

MPI Media Group and its Stitches producing partner Fantastic Films from Ireland have struck a three-film deal to make and distribute genre films.

The two-year pact kicks off with principal photography at the end of the year on The Cherry Tree.

David Keating will direct the project and previously shot Wake Wood, which the partners released in the US through MPI’s wholly owned subsidiary Dark Sky Films.

MPI Media Group evp Greg Newman negotiated the deal with Brendan McCarthy and John McDonnell of Fantastic Films, which co-produced Martin McDonagh’s 2006 best short film Oscar winner Six Shooter.

“Fantastic films have amazing taste and a great understanding of genre filmmaking and we look forward to our collaboration with them,” MPI’s Greg Newman said. “Together, we make an incredibly strong development and production team, and are very likeminded about the type of films and filmmakers we intend to work with. There are several amazing projects on the horizon and we look forward to jumping in immediately.”

“We couldn’t be happier with the success MPI has had with our films and we expect the winning streak to continue,” McDonnell added.

 

Nick Ryan's documentary "The Summit" gets its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival

http://movieline.com/2012/09/05/london-film-festival-lineup-rolling-stones/

for details see

http://www.movies.ie/Articles/1183057/Ross_Noble_to_attend_Movie_Fest_screening_of_Stitches

Conor Mc Mahon's Stitches which had its world premiere at Frightfest has won the "best death" award.

http://www.totalfilm.com/features/the-frightfest-2012-awards/best-death

Conor Mc Mahon's "Stitches" has its world premiere at this years Frightfest in London on August 24th

http://www.totalfilm.com/features/frightfest-2012-13-must-see-movies/stitches

The Release of Ek Tha Tiger last Wednesday (15th) has already broken box office records in India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/box-office/Ek-Tha-Tiger-reaches-Rs-100-crore-mark/articleshow/15570384.cms

Check out the latest trailer for Ek Tha Tiger which is being released worldwide on August 15th

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlDKeuqdXpo&feature=share

 

Following the amazing reception of "Stitches" at the Cannes Market, We are delighted to announce the UK/Irish distribution of Conor Mc Mahon's comedy/horror http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ross-noble-stitches-uk-distribution-330349

Stitches screens at Cannes www.stitchesmovie.com

Principal Photography commences on Ruairi Robinson's debut feature film "The Last Days on Mars" in Jordan.

Fantastic Films are proud to be co-producers on Ruairi's film with Qwerty Films London. Director of Photography is Irishman Robbie Ryan

Irish Director Ruairi Robinson is in pre-production on his debut feature film "Last Days on Mars".

The Movie is a co-production between Michael Kuhn's Qwerty Films and Fantastic Films.

MPI will screen a teaser for "Stitches Grindle" at the EFM in Berlin.

"Stitches" is the new comedy/Horror from Director Conor Mc Mahon and stars Ross Noble and Tommy Knight

Principal Photography wraps on "Stitches Grindle" directed by Conor McMahon and Starring Ross Noble and Tommy Knight. see http://www.horror-movies.ca/2011/11/behind-the-scenes-photos-from-stitches/

Fantastic Films are excited to announce the commencement of principal photography on "Stitches Grindle" Directed by Conor McMahon and Starring Ross Noble and Tommy Knight. see http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/48650/afm-2011-mpi-gets-stitches

Fantastic Films are proud to be Executive Producers in Ireland for  Yash Raj Films 2012 blockbuster "EK THA TIGER" starring Salman Kahn and Katriona Kaif which recently wrapped in Dublin. See http://www.yashrajfilms.com/microsites/ett/index.html for more info.

Wake Wood Screens at the famous Espoo Cine festival in Finland on the 22nd and 25th August

http://www.espoocine.fi/fi/2011/elokuvat/wake_wood

Wake Wood gets its French Premiere at the Festival L'Estrange in Paris on 7th September 2011. Check out http://www.etrangefestival.com/index.php/2011/film/fr/275

http://www.nifff.ch/

Wake Wood had its successful US premiere last night at The New Beverly Cinema in LA

 

Bloody Disgusting and Dread Centralo Host the LA Premier of Wake Wood. see http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/44789/dark-sky-films-bloody-disgusting-and-dread-central-present-us-premiere-wake-wood

Brendan Mc Carthy and John Mc Donnell will be attending the Cannes Film Festival from 13th to 17th May.

Congratulations to Hanna from all of us. http://www.bafta.org/scotland/awards/new-talent-awards-2010,1678,BA.html#jump8

Featuring interviews and clips http://www.heyuguys.co.uk/2011/03/18/exclusive-creepy-new-clip-from-wake-wood/

Directed by Karl Golden. View Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rmh2g6t-Xo

check out http://www.jdiff.com/index.php/news/video/jdiff_tv_-_day_6/

see http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/film-cinema/irish-film-hammers-home-gory-days-2551829.html

Check out the official web site for the movie http://www.wakewoodmovie.com/

Vertigo Films releases Wake Wood starring Timothy Spall, Aidan Gillen, and Eva Birthistle on March 25th.

check out "https://jdiff.ticketsolve.com/shows/126512397/events" for details

Check out http://www.facebook.com/gettingstarted.php?step=friend_requests#!/pages/Wake-Wood/178499208831731

HORRORTHON FRIDAY FRIGHT NIGHTS

The 2nd Friday Fright Night is on December 17th at 11:15pm in the IFI and we have got an exclusive of the new horror film "OUTCAST" which is not coming out till January.

Tickets at the IFI box office or www.irishfilm.ie

NEW YORK CITY HORROR FILM FEST AWARDS ANNOUNCED
The 9th annual New York City Horror Film Festival concluded last night and the final order of business was the handing out of awards. The prizes wound up being widely distributed among the independent fright features shown over the five-day events.

The selections of the judges (full disclosure: this writer was one of them) were as follows:

Best Feature: Andy Mitton and Jesse Holland’s YELLOWBRICKROAD (pictured below)

Best Director: Stevan Mena, BEREAVEMENT

Best Actor: James Nesbitt, OUTCAST

Best Actress: Emilie Dequenne, THE PACK (LA MEUTE)

Best Screenplay: Franck Richard, THE PACK (LA MEUTE)

Best Cinematography: Marco Cappetta, BEREAVEMENT

Best FX: Jenn Rose, KISS THE ABYSS

Best Short Film: Dennison Ramalho’s NINJAS

Audience Choice Award: Bill Palmer’s THE LIVING WANT ME DEAD

Wizard World Award: Karni Baghdikian’s WRITTEN BY

Congrats to all the winners; you can find more info on the festival at its official website.

http://fangoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2635:new-york-city-horror-film-fest-awards-announced&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=167

“OUTCAST” (FILM REVIEW)
Amidst a genre constantly spawning substyles and movements, the most interesting are often the least expected. This year alone, three notable horror films—Darren Aronofsky’s BLACK SWAN, Phillip Ridley’s HEARTLESS and the subject of this review, Colm McCarthy’s OUTCAST—beautifully and successfully mix the raw, handheld presentation of city-centric and urban environments with the surreal, magical and supernatural. And by filming such topics in a realistic and confrontational manner, rather than lush, soft and more traditionally, the three filmmakers have all created unique and fascinating films worth seeking out.

OUTCAST, playing this Sunday at the New York City Horror Film Festival, concerns young Fergal (Niall Bruton) and his mother Mary (Kate Dickie). The two lead a nomadic lifestyle, always on the run from their past and, more specifically, a man named Cathal (James Nesbitt), who’s been charged with hunting down the boy and killing him. It’s evident from her sacrificial rituals, symbol paintings and general behavior that Mary is some sort of witch, and the two are deeply entrenched in something beyond our world. As Fergal and his mom settle into a new estate in Edinburgh, Scotland, they begin to face dark troubles from a beast prowling the area, Fergal’s dangerous blossoming of first love with new neighbor Petronella (Hanna Stanbridge) and their final confrontation with Cathal.



There’s a certain trepidation that comes with seeing a filmmaking approach similar to that employed by Aronofsky on THE WRESTLER, or in documentaries (this isn’t a POV-style film, however) used in a tale of the supernatural, and truth be told, it’s probably used least in OUTCAST as opposed to the other two aforementioned films, but nonetheless, the rawness is definitely present. In this, his first film, McCarthy makes the urban decay and concrete surroundings just as atmospheric as any sprawling countryside—and, surprisingly, makes the magic at hand feel more tangible. The fantasy isn’t elevated here; instead, it both blends into and confronts a very real depiction of our modern world.

OUTCAST isn’t exactly groundbreaking, as there are elements you’ve no doubt seen before, but like any classical story tropes, as long as they’re done right, they still work. One such aspect is Fergal’s coming of age; Mary makes much fuss over his relationship with Petronella, and the threat of what will happen if he doesn’t restrain his more primal and sexual feelings for her. The film is obviously asking you to wonder if Fergal is the beast (I won’t spoil that here), and there’s a strong parallel drawn between the monster and the young man’s coming to terms with more adult situations and the changes his body and mind are going through as he grows.

The ensemble really sell the film, especially Dickie as the stern, spiritual and protective Mary and Nesbitt’s Cathal, who along with Dickie play the grey area between good and evil tremendously well. McCarthy, who wrote the film with his brother Tom, comes mostly from the television world, but seems to have had no trouble crafting a highly cinematic debut. OUTCAST has been picked up by Indomina Releasing for U.S. distribution at some point next year, and you would do well to check it out.

“Outcast”
By Daniel Loria (November 4, 2010)

A scene from Colm McCarthy "Outcast." [Photo courtesy of Indomina Releasing]
Indomina Releasing is continuing its venture into the horror film market with their recent acquisition of Colm McCarthy’s Scottish film “Outcast” for North American distribution. This announcement comes a day after the new distribution company revealed their plans to release “The Pack,” a French horror film that was part of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, in North America. “Outcast” had a significant presence in this year’s festival scene, including screenings at SXSW and the horror niche festival, Screamfest LA.

“Outcast” delves into the underworld of black magic and witchcraft in modern day Edinburgh. The film tells the story of Mary (Kate Dickie), a witch from an ancient Celtic society, who is on the run from a hunter (James Nesbitt) dedicated to killing her and her son in order to bury secrets from the past.

“‘Outcast’ brings another dimension to the Indomina brand, demonstrating once again that Indomina is the premiere destination for genre based content,” commented Jasbinder Singh Mann, C.E.O. of Indomina Group.

Stephen Kelliher, the Head of Sales and Marketing at Bankside Films, who negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers, echoed Singh Mann’s enthusiasm.

“We are delighted that Indomina Releasing will be handling ‘Outcast’ in North America. They are a new and exciting company with lost of ambition, and we have been impressed by their passion, enthusiasm and clear understanding of the business. We look forward to ‘Outcast’ being part of their future success.”

posted on November 4, 2010

http://www.indiewire.com/article/indomina_takes_on_scottish_outcast/#

at http://www.hammerfilms.com/productions/film/filmid/10/wake-wood

MPI strikes North American deal for Hammer's Wake Wood

13 September, 2010 | By Wendy Mitchell

Aidan Gillen, Eva Birthistle, Timothy Spall and Ella Connolly star.

A theatrical release in spring 2011 is planned for the film, to be followed by DVD and VOD releases.

The plot follows a couple whose new neighbors in a remote rural community introduce them to a pagan ritual to attempt to bring back their dead daughter. The film was shot in Ireland.

The deal was done as Toronto kicked off, by MPI’s Greg Newman and Peter Naish of Exclusive Films International (sister company to Hammer).

“A horror film that also stirs the heart is a rare combination, but Wake Wood is just that,” said Newman. “Writer-director David Keating, co-writer Brendan McCarthy and their great cast have created a special movie that transcends genre.”

The New Trailer for "Outcast" can be found here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2YTw6F7lUU

Outcast directed by Colm McCarthy will have its Irish premiere at this years Galway Film Fleadh. It screens at the Town Hall Cinema late night on Friday 9th.

Outcast and Pelican Blood chosen for "Best of the Fest" at Edinburgh
http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/ticketing/best-of-the-fest

Outcast directed by Colm McCarthy and Starring James Nesbitt and Kate Dickie is having its UK Premiere at this years Edinburgh Film Festival. Pelican Blood directed by Karl Golden is having its World Premiere. Check out http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/.

Both Brendan McCarthy and John Mc Donnell of Fantastic Films will be at the Cannes Film Festival from May 15th to May 18th. Outcast is Screening at the Market with Bankside Films and WaKe Wood is being screened by Exclusive.

Year: 2009
Directors: Colm McCarthy
Writers: Colm McCarthy / Tom McCarthy
IMDB: link
Trailer: link
Review by: rochefort
Rating: 7 out of 10

Fergal (Niall Bruton) and his highly protective mother Mary (Kate Dickie) are constantly on the run, moving from one low-rent U.K. estate to the next, all while being hunted by the ruthless Cathal (James Nesbitt). They're all practicers of witchcraft, Mary using her arcane skills to throw the hunters off the trail, Cathal single-mindedly driven to find them both in the hopes of achieving a higher degree of warlock's power. As Cathal gets closer by the day, Fergal becomes involved with Petronella (Hanna Stanbridge), an earthy projects girl who falls for him immediately. But their young love is threatened not only by Cathal's imminent arrival and Mary's harsh resistance to an unstable female presence in Fergal's life, but also by the strange creature that has appeared in the estate and begun murdering people in the night.

"Outcast" pretty much came out of nowhere and won me over quickly with its dark, moody mix of seedy urban angst and modern-day witchcraft. Think of this as a fringe benefit of the success of the "Harry Potter" series, this one decidedly more for the over-18 set. If you're at all a fan of U.K.-set "Estate" movies (including everything from "Trainspotting", to Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere", to the "Misfits" tv series, up to the recent "Harry Brown"), then you already know the atmosphere on display, and "Outcast" opts for the dingiest possible depths, using grainy sepia night photography, back-alley griminess, and sparse, apocalyptic set design to excellent effect. The plot unfurls at a reasonable pace but doesn't really drag, and tells essentially three stories: The first concerns Mary and Fergal's ongoing struggle to keep moving without being discovered by the coven they've abandoned for mysterious reasons; the second deals with Fergal's rapidly encroaching puberty and the dangers that Mary believes will accompany his passage into manhood; and the third focuses on Cathal, himself an apparent example of a mature warlock's worst case scenario.

Bruton and Dickie make a convincingly creepy mother and son, their scenes imbued with a discomforting sexual underpinning made all the creepier by the clever way the script slowly and casually dispenses clues as to the true nature of their relationship. Petronella is eye-poppingly cute and feisty, and her portrayal initially comes across as the standard dead-end projects girl, but she finds moments here and there that inject an unexpected vulnerability, and in the end it's easy to believe that Fergal would risk so much to be with her. But it's Nesbitt's villain Cathal that steals the show. Nesbitt as the bad guy is just an easy win; he's got a one of a kind screen presence and owns no matter if he's playing sympathetic ("Bloody Sunday") or dark ("Five Minutes of Heaven"). Here he's playing extremely dark, his Cathal a mixture of sweaty desperation and malevolent treachery.

Key scenes with both hunter and hunted show the step-by-step procedure of their magic, each full of nice little details about how this or that spell is cast or protective glamour is achieved. This is the real bread and butter of the pic, and the filmmakers know that if you're going to tell a story about witches and warlocks, there had better be witchcraft, dammit, and on this front "Outcast" consistently delivers. There's nary a black hood or shiny pagan broadsword in sight, either, the emphasis throughout on "household" magic (albeit of a kind that seems to require the user always be naked) rather than pyrotechnics or multicolored lazer beams. The only real overtly fantastic element is in the "beast" that haunts the estate, and this may be a letdown for some, but I found it enjoyable both in its execution and as the final answer of the puzzle.

A festival gem if ever there was one, "Outcast" probably won't prove to be much more than a modest success, so it's likely you'll have to work a little to track this one down. There's not enough spectacle on display to attract a stateside theatrical run, and the consistently (even oppressively) dark tone will probably relegate it to a straight-to-disc release, hopefully by the likes of somebody like Anchor Bay, who would at least know how to treat this one with the respect it deserves. It's beyond ironic that the majority of magic- and witchcraft-themed movies in this day and age are targeted to families and the 'tween market, so "Outcast" is weird in that it's almost a basic return to form, a film about the dark stuff that's meant for adults. Uneven in places and definitely not perfect, but done well enough to make you wish more filmmakers would follow its lead.

following on from its highly successful screenings in South By Southwest Fantastic, Outcast Directed by Colm Mc Carthy is to screen in Austin,Texas at the Alamo Drafthouse at Sth Lemarr Blvd as part of the "Best of the Fest" from SXSW. The screening takes place at 10pm on Monday March 22nd.

http://www.horrorsquad.com/2010/01/09/hammer-films-leads-us-into-the-wake-wood/

 

Hammer Films Leads us into 'The Wake Wood'
01.09.10 By: Alison Nastasi0 Comments
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Throw Pagan rituals, wacky villagers and Hammer Films all in a pot and you're cooking up a whole lot of 'yes please' for me. The newly resurrected studio has released stills from their upcoming thriller, The Wake Wood, directed by David Keating. The film stars Aidan Gillen, Eva Birthistle and Timothy Spall.

The Wake Wood tells the tale of a couple grieving over the loss of their nine-year-old daughter, Alice, who was brutally killed by a crazed dog. Vet Patrick (Gillen) and pharmacist Louise (Birthistle) relocate to a remote town known as Wake Wood. While there, they learn of a Pagan ritual from village leader Arthur (Spall) that will bring Alice back to them, but only for three days. What will they do when it's time for Alice to leave them once again?

The film was shot in Ireland so expect a killer backdrop. Hopefully Hammer has conjured a story to compliment the surroundings. Keating was a writer for one of my favorite films, Into the West, starring my boyfriend Gabriel Byrne. It's a magical little movie and I hope Keating can rock some of that mojo for Hammer. Check out more images from The Wake Wood at Dread Central.
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Tags: David Keating, DavidKeating, hammer films, Hammer studios, HammerFilms, HammerStudios, The Wake Wood, TheWakeWood

World Premiere of Outcast at the Alamo Drafthouse. The following review is from Harry Knowles of Aintitcoolnews

OUTCAST

This is a pretty damn unsettlingly disturbing little picture out of Scotland & Ireland. It involves Celtic Black Magic & Witchery in modern day Edinburgh, Scotland.

This film is nasty in a way that's just hard to describe. There's a reality to what is happening that just feels valid. I can imagine this shit as being the real thing. The use of strange symbols and incantations, the weird fucking audio that accompanies these rituals and spell weaving ceremonies and the fucking creature is just 7 sides of nasty.

You have a Mother and her young son - who have decided to stop running and try to set up some manner of existence. Though, what their grand scheme of peace could possibly be, given the forces in pursuit... well, it is unlikely at best.

To make you understand the sort of magic at play here... The people trying to track the mother & son down are trying to find them. To do this, this one fellow does this real eerie whistle, which summons a pigeon to fly to them. Then the badass with weirdo ancient looking tattoos all down his back... guts and spills the entrails of the bird on the ground. Then - whilst chanting and giving the entrails a mean stare... they kinda start to do some creepy shit that tells them they're 9 miles to the South of their prey. But there's rules. They have to dispose of their sacrifice so that it doesn't fall into their prey's hands, cuz if it does. It ain't good.

There's a lot of strange nasty little things that are done like that. Things you have to do in order to be granted a vision, a power or protection. I love that. I love rules to the supernatural. It's like tubing and texture on the outside of my favorite spaceships. It's just something I love. In a way - it exists in a world adjacent to things like CURSE OF THE DEMON and DRAG ME TO HELL. But it isn't a demon summoning picture. It's just other shit that happens in a world where you most likely can summon a demon.

There's a young budding romance, that's probably not the wisest thing, but it feels a bit like... a TERMINATOR movie. Imagine if John Connor was being pursued romantically in the midst of bad shit happening. But imagine it being done perfectly real feeling. That's the romance in this film. It feels honest and true. Like everything else in the movie it feels right.

This isn't a film that I imagine will ever get a wide release. But damn if it shouldn't be seen. It is a peculiar and disturbing horror film. An excellent film. See it at all costs.

So that was my first day of SXSW 2010. See y'all tomorrow!

Outcast the first feature film of hot Director Colm Mc Carthy is having its world Premier at SXSW on 12th March. Outcast stars James Nesbitt and Kate Dickie and is being sold by Bankside Films.

Brian Byrne won the IFTA for best Original Score. Zonad hits cinemas in Ireland on March 17th

Outcast, Fantastic Films new movie from Director Colm Mc Carthy has been chosen as the opening film in the SX Fantastic section of the South by South West Film Festival in Texas screening in March. More details to follow.

Fantastic Films two new feature films will screen at the EFM at the Berlinale in February. Wake Wood will be screened by Exclusive and Outcast by Bankside Films.

Zonad the new film from John Carney (Once) and Kieran Carney has been nominated as best film at the 2010 IFTA Awards. Zonad is produced by Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe (Element) and John Mc Donnell (Fantastic Films)

http://www.videnskab.dk/content/dk/blogs/hollywoodbloggen/david_keating_‘i_get_to_kill_people_and_bring_them_back’

Wake Wood the new horror film from Director David Keating will be screened at the American Film Market early November

Pelican Blood Karl Golden's new Feature Film commences delivery to International sales agents Icon.

Zonad the new film by John Carney and Kieran Carney will have its premier at the Galway Film Fleadh on Sat July 21st. Produced by Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe and John Mc Donnell, Zonad is John Carneys follow up to the very successful "Once".

The Wake Wood Directed by David Keating has picture locked in Windmill Lane Dublin and now moves to The Post Republic in Berlin. The Wake Wood is financed by Hammer Films the legendary Horror Brand and the Irish Film Board , and is Co Produced by Solid Entertainment Sweden. The Wake Wood is distributed by Vertigo Films .

"Outcast" starring James Nesbitt and Kate Dickie wraps principal photography after shooting for three weeks in Edinburgh followed by two weeks at Studio Solas in Spiddal, Co. Galway.

Brendan Mc Carthy and John Mc Donnell are attending the FAS/STI pan European media company project "Screen Leaders".

Karl Golden's second feature "Pelican Blood" written by Chris Cole commences principal photography. Produced by Robert Bernstein, Douglas Rae and John Mc Donnell.

Principal photography commences on David Keating's "The Wake Wood". Hammer Films and the Irish Film Board team up to finance Brendan Mc Carthy's script.

Fantastic Films Latest Horror "The Wake Wood" starring Timothy Spall , Aidan Gillen and Eva Birthistle wraps its five week shoot in Donegal and Dublin on October 31st. Directed by David Keating it is due for release late 09.

Directed by Karl Golden and starring Harry Treadaway and Emma Booth, "Pelican Blood" picture locks at Molanare in London.

Having filmed in Edinburgh for three weeks, Outcast now moves to Studio Solas  for two weeks. Outcast starring James Nesbitt and Kate Dickie is directed by Colm McCarthy .

"Wilderness" has its World Premiere and is the closing night film at 6th Belfast Film Festival.

To read more about "Wilderness", click here.

The feature film "48 Angels", directed by Marion Comer, is to screen at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

To read more about "48 Angels", click here.

We are delighted to announce that Venom has received the Tiernan MacBride Award in the Galway Film Fleadh!!! The short tells the cautionary tale of an elderly widow who lost her husband in a war and her cat to a bee sting. Vowing to protect her new cat at all costs, she now wages war on the world of insects.

For further information please check the link below...

www.venomfilm.com

POV is a short film by Fantastic Films in conjunction with Heroes for Zeroes. The short is due to screen at the Cork International Film Festival. It cleverly illustrates how stories can change depending on perspective. The truth unfolds as the credits roll.

For further information please check the links below...

www.heroesforzeroes.com

"Six Shooter", written and directed by Martin McDonough, has won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short.

Starring Brendan Gleeson and Ruaraidh Conroy, Six Shooter is a black and bloody Irish comedy about a sad train journey where an older man, whose wife has died that morning, encounters a strange and possibly psychotic young oddball.

To read more about Six Shooter, click here.

Following on from award winning success at the Galway Film Fleadh, Venom will hit the festivals again. The short is due to be screened as part of the Cork Film Festival and is included as one of the six finalists on TCM Classic Shorts 2006

For further information please check the links below...

www.corkfilmfest.org
tcmonline.co.uk/classicshorts/
www.venomfilm.com

Produced by Fantastic Films and Reflected Light Pictures and directed by Marion Comer, "48 Angels" is a heart warming feature film of a boy desperately seeking a miracle. The film, which successfully screened at Galway and Madrid, has been accepted into both the Cherbourg- Octville British Irish Film Festival and the European Union Film Festival in Chicago. Both festivals take place in March.

Fantastic Films' John McDonnell is no stranger to the Cherbourg Octeville Film Festival due to his involvement in Aisling Walsh's "Song For A Raggy Boy". "Song for a Raggy Boy" claimed both the Prix du Public du meilleur film and also awarded John Travers with the Prix du Jury du meilleur acteur in 2003. The Festival runs from the 16th to the 18th of March.

The 10th European Union Film Festival in Chicago takes place from March 2^nd to the 29^th . The European Union Film Festival is the largest of the special projects that the Gene Siskel Film Center, a public program of the Art Institute of Chicago.

"'48 Angels' is a powerful, beautifully produced, well-photographed, well-acted parable about faith transforming people. This is one of those wonderful films that will endear itself to everyone who sees it."- Dr. Ted Baehr- Movieguide, USA.