Simon McGuire

Following a tough decision, huge interest and entry list, Ronan Cassidy and the team have announced the two winning films that will receive a €15,000 bursary in conjunction with Behind The Scenes and Limerick City of Culture 2014.

(Taken from Behind The Scenes Website)

Limerick City of Culture 2014 in partnership with Behind the Scenes has announced the two winners of the extremely competitive Film Limerick Scheme, who were selected from 131 applicants. The commissions have been awarded to:

• Cashell Horgan of Babyjane Productions – The Clock Makers Doll
• Liam O’Neill of Paradox Pictures – Lost and Found

Commenting on the commissions, Ronan Cassidy, Film Limerick Project Manager said ‘Film Limerick is a hugely important part of the legacy project for Limerick City of Culture. It has greatly increased awareness of the resources available to film makers in the city. The massive interest in the project will further the aim of Limerick City becoming a film production hub and a major source of employment in the region.

What is most encouraging about the initiative is the extraordinarily high standard in the applications we received. Only two projects could be selected but there is a great wealth of Irish writing talent and it is important to support and encourage this skill.

I would like to thank all the applicants and wish them every success in their future careers. I am looking forward to working with the successful teams in the coming months.’

The Clock Makers Doll, is set in a fictional world, home to the most unusual collection of automatas created. Here a clockmaker lives with his beloved wife who one day dies. Crazed with despair he decides to replace her by building a doll but fails to achieve the perfection he desires. With pressure on him to complete his task before time runs out, he soon realises that the key to the perfect woman is in her heart not her head. The director Cashell Horgan is a multi award winning filmmaker and has been an Oscar shortlist nominee. Filming is scheduled for early March.

Lost and Found, is the charming story of a resourceful young boy and his mother who are trying to come to terms with the recent death of his father.  The boy resorts to petnapping local animals and trading them in for rewards, in order to assist his struggling mother. The film will be directed by Liam O’Neill, who has an extensive track record as a screenwriter, director and producer.  This film is due to go into production February 16th 2015.

I am looking forward to working closely with Ronan and the two crews in promoting Limerick as a viable destination for film making and anticipate a massive interest and excitement as we see these films along with the Film Limerick Training Films (SEE HERE) being produced. Well done to the Behind the Scenes members who applied and / or helped out on this big project, especially Ronan Cassidy, Paul Corey and Mark Griffin. Also a special mention to Limerick City of Culture team, Sheila Deegan and Kathy O’Grady for their help and guidance. Finally  The first bit is complete… now the difficult work begins.

S