News
Fantastic Films attend Berlinale
Both Brendan McCarthy and John Mc Donnell of FF will attend the Berlinale from 7th -13th Feb.
Sea Fever Wraps
Neasa Hardiman's Sea Fever has wrapped principal photography.
Neasa Hardiman's Sea Fever shoots
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
Vivarium Wraps
Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg wrapped today on Lorcan Finnegan's new Sci-Fi movie Vivarium.
PP starts on "Vivarium"
Principal Photography starts today on "Vivarium" directed by Lorcan Finnegan and starring Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg.
Prep begins on Vivarium
Prep has begun on Lorcan Finnegan's "Vivarium" written by Garret Shanley.
Muse Dublin Premiere Wed 28th Feb
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
Nails Available on iTunes in the US
Dennis Bartoks chilling "Nails" is available on iTunes in the US. See more at https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/nails/id1297169382
Muse gets wide initial release in Spain
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
Nails to premiere at the Egyptian
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 Crone Wood at Lund
Mark Sheridan's supremely creepy "Crone Wood plays at Lund Fantastic Film Festival http://www.fff.se/en/film/crone-wood/
Muse to premiere at Sitges
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 @ Frontieres
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 three Movies @ Cannes
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"
Nails to screen @ BIFFF
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/
SITN wins another award!
Conor McMahon's Strangers In The Night gets Special Mention Audience Award at CIFF. For More see http://www.chicagoirishfilmfestival.com/news
Screen Anarchy review "Nails"
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
"Nails" Premiere Feb 20th @ ADIFF
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
I am not a serial killer released Dec 9th
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/
poster released for Dennis Bartok's "Nails"
Fantastic Films host Fright Night
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
Official Trailer for I Am Not A Serial Killer
SXSW Hit I Am Not A Serial Killer Released on 26th August. See Trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQBnWWWU-gU
I Am Not A Serial Killer US Release
SXSW Hit I Am Not A Serial Killer Released in The US. See Trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQBnWWWU-gU
Creative Europe supports Fantastic Films
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
Brian O Malley's "Soulless" for Frontieres
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/
IFC take "I am not a serial killer"
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
Corin Hardy wins at Empire Awards
We are thrilled that Corin Hardy won best Horror feature at the Empire Awards seehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alMTLz5uimw
Massive Congrats to Corin on Empire Win
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
I Am Not A Serial Killer for SXSW
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
Congratulations to all the Irish Oscar Noms
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
Cherry Tree Released in US. Interview with Fangoria
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/
Fantastic Films wishes one and all a Happy Christmas
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 nominated for The Hallow
Corin Hardy has been nominated for The Douglas Hickox Award for best debut Director for our co-production The Hallow
Cherry Tree & The Hallow in New York
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/
RIP Wes Craven
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 scare up FrightFest
Fantastic Films take over Frightfest. Thanks guys for an amazing time!
see more at https://www.facebook.com/FantasticFilmsLtd?fref=ts
The Hallow to hit US on November 6th
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/
Let Us Prey is a 21st Century "MUST WATCH"
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/
3 x Fantastic Films @ Frightfest
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
Cherry Tree to open Frightfest
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
Let Us Prey in Cinemas on Friday
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
Let Us Prey @ No 2 in Horror Charts
Brian O Malley's Let Us Prey was released yesterday in North America. Today it is number 2 in the Horror Charts
Fantastic Five Head for Cannes
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.
LUP Single released
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/
(R)onanism premiere on Feb 16th
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/
The Hallow sells high for North America
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/
The Hallow World Premiere at Sundance
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
LUP Game Surrender To Hell released
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
Aroma to screen at North by Northwest
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/
Let Us Prey US Premiere
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 Gala Opening for Grimmfest
Montreal screens Let Us Prey at Fantasia
Let Us Prey gets its Canadian Premiere at Fantasia.
See more at http://www.fantasiafestival.com/2014/en/films-schedule/26/let-us-prey
LUP in South Korea
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" - official selection at the Edinburgh Film Festival
"Let Us Prey" has been officially selected to screen at the Edinburgh Film Festival, 2014.
Read more: "Let Us Prey" - official selection at the Edinburgh Film Festival
LET US PREY wins the Méliees d'Argent Award at BIFFF 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
"Let Us Prey" web site launched
The official web site for "Let Us Prey", including stills and the movie trailer, has launched at http://www.letuspreymovie.com
3 IFTA Nominations for Fantastic Films
THE LAST DAYS ON MARS U.S theatrical release
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
First of many sales of LET US PREY announced
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 hits Irish Cinemsa
The Summit releases in Irish cinemas today. To find a cinema near you check out http://thesummitfilm.com
The Summit wins at Banff
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 releases in the U.S today!
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.
The Summit hits U.S cinemas 4th October
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 and poster released!
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 Last Days on Mars - UK Trailer *EXCLUSIVE*
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 **EXCLUSIVELY** available online at Apple Trailers
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.
The Last Days on Mars for North America
Live From Cannes
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.
LA Times review of The Last Days on Mars
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.
Fantastic Films at Cannes Irish Times
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
The Last Days on Mars Premieres at Cannes
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 at Sundance London
The Summit, Nick Ryan's award winning Documantery to feature at Sundance London http://www.sundance-london.com/event/summit
Stitches out in UK/Ireland on DVD,BluRay and VOD
Stitches North American release announced
STITCHES exclusively on iTunes (UK/IRL)
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...
The Summit sells at Sundance
Nick Ryan's documentary much sought after at sundance
Stitches is No 3 in Bloody Disgusting's 2012 top ten
New Trailer for Nick Ryan's "The Summit"
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 "The Summit" premieres at Sundance
Nick Ryan's breathtaking "The Summit" is in competition at Sundance 2013
Stitches out now in Cinemas
"Stitches" wins Midnight X-treme Best Feature award at Sitges festival
"Stitches" 30-second teaser released
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.
Exclusive clips from Stitches on the movie's Facebook page
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.
Official "Stitches" trailer now on YouTube
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 and Fantastic Films strike 3 Picture Deal
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 "The Summit" to premiere at BFI LFF.
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/
Ross Noble to attend Stitches premiere at Moviefest
Stitches wins "Best Death Scene" at Frightfest
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
Stitches World Premiere at Frightfest Aug 24th
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
EK Tha Tiger breaking all box office records
The Release of Ek Tha Tiger last Wednesday (15th) has already broken box office records in India
EK THA TIGER New Trailer
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
First of many sales of "Stitches" Announced
Stitches Market Premiere at Cannes - Details
Principal Photography on LDOM commences
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
Last Days on Mars in pre-production
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 to Screen teaser for "Stitches Grindle" at Berlin
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
Conor McMahon's "Stitches Grindle" wraps
Fantastic Films announce "Stitches Grindle"
EK THA TIGER wraps in Dublin
Wake Wood Screens at Espoo Cine in Finland
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 French Premiere
Wake Wood goes down a storm at US premiere
Wake Wood had its successful US premiere last night at The New Beverly Cinema in LA
Bloody Disgusting & Dread Central Host Wake Wood
Fantastic Films Ltd at Cannes
Hanna Stanbridge wins Scottish BAFTA for Outcast
Check out pre-release featurette for Wake Wood
Pelican Blood released on DVD in the UK & Ireland
Wake Wood Irish premier on JDIFF TV
Wake Wood plays to packed house at JDIFF
Wake Wood web site goes live
Wake Wood releasesd in UK and Ireland 25th March
Wake Wood Irish Premiere at JDIFF Feb 22nd
Wake Wood has Facebook page
Outcast Sneak Preview Friday 17th December
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
James Nesbitt wins Best Actor for "Outcast" in NY
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
Review of "Outcast" from Fangoria.com
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.
indomina takes on 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/#
Check Out Wake Wood
MPI strikes North American deal for Hammer's Wake Wood
MPI strikes North American deal for Hammer's Wake Wood
Chicago-based MPI Media Group has acquired all North American rights to Hammer Films thriller Wake Wood.
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.”
Trailer for "Outcast"
Outcast to screen at Galway July 9th
Outcast chosen for "Best of the Fest" at Edinburgh
http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/ticketing/best-of-the-fest
Outcast and Pelican Blood at Edinburgh
Fantastic Films at Cannes
Quiet Earth Review of Outcast
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.
OUTCAST screens again in Best of the Fest
Horror Squad previews Wake Wood
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 Outcast at SXSW review.
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 at SXSW
ZONAD wins best Original Score at IFTA's
Outcast opens SXSW Fantastic Section
Wake Wood and Outcast to screen at EFM
Zonad nominated for best film at IFTA's
Interview with David Keating on Wake Wood
WAKE WOOD to screen at the AFM
Pelican Blood commences delivery to Icon
Zonad to premier at Galway
The Wake Wood Picture Locks
Outcast wraps principal photography
Fantastic Films Participate in "Screen Leaders"
Pelican Blood Commences Principal Photography
Fantastic Films commence principal photography on The Wake Wood
The Wake Wood Wraps on Halloween Night
"Pelican Blood" picture locks in London
Outcast moves to Ireland
Widerness Premieres at Belfast Film Festival
"Wilderness" has its World Premiere and is the closing night film at 6th Belfast Film Festival.
To read more about "Wilderness", click here.
48 Angels to be screened at Cannes
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.
Venom takes Tiernan MacBride award
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.comPOV to screen at Cork Film Festival
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.comSix Shooter wins Oscar for Best LIve Action Short
"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.
Venom at the Cork Film Festival
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.orgtcmonline.co.uk/classicshorts/
www.venomfilm.com
Cherbourg-Octville & European Union Film Festivals
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.