This article is from page 23 of the 2012-05-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 23 JPG
BURREN film ‘Songs For Amy’ looks set to become the latest small budget Irish film to make it big in Hollywood after to took the main Jury Award at the prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival in Los Angeles last week.
The film, which is the brainchild of Burren based writer and producer Fiona Graham, took the award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking’. It was also confirmed last week that the film has been chosen for a screen at the Cannes Film Festival on May 26.
Features a number of North Clare and South Galway locals, ‘Songs for Amy’ was shot on location in Kinvara last Summer.
The film tells the story of a New York musician played by Sean Maguire who moves to the West of Ireland where he sets about writing an album of music for the girl he loves, played by Lorna Anderson.
Present at the screen were Bellharbour musician Jim McKee and Kinvara’s Ultan Conlon who both acted in the films and contributed to the films soundtrack. The film will be given its Irish premier at the Galway Film Fleadh next month.
“The film has already been dubbed ‘the musician’s film’ due to its portrayal of the eclectic music scene of Ireland and because of the incredible original sound track with songs by Ultan Conlon and Jim McKee, rock band Alabama 3, Patrick Bergin, Eleanor Shanley, as well as music from Tom Paxton and Jono McCleery,” said Fiona.
“The West of Ireland is a character in the film with it’s culture and beauty woven into the story. The Galway Film Fleadh was where we all wanted to showcase it and the cast and crew are extremely excited about reuniting back on the west of Ireland. It feels like we’re bringing the film home.” The films was produced by Burren based company Sonny and Skye Productions and Seafaring films.