Irish Flicks at NY Film Fest

THE New York International Independent Film and Video Festival was founded in 1993 to give unknown directors, actors and producers a chance to have their work seen without all the red tape hoopla that other festivals such as Cannes, Tribeca and Sundance have become known for. Not surprisingly, the idea has caught on.

A strong annual venue for films and documentaries about important social issues, the festival operates independently so it usually delivers controversial and edgy work that larger film events balk at.

Attracting entries from over 60 countries including Australia, Brazil, Sweden, Kenya, Japan, the U.K. and Ireland, the reach of the festival is as global as the interest it generates. For Irish entries it means valuable international exposure and a chance to bring their work to a wider audience.

Briege McGarrity, the Belfast-born press representative for the festival told the Irish Voice, "The festival has been around for about 15 years and its goal is to give independent film makers a platform to show their work. It's very hard to get into most festivals - there's so much politics there alone - so this one gives the independent filmmaker a chance but also showcases more established directors as well."

The Irish entries this year include a feature film, a mix of short films and documentaries. Lunatic, a feature film directed by Bill Maloney is a low budget mobster flick with a crackling script and some standout performances by the London-based cast.

Bill and Perry are two south London brothers and small time entrepreneurs who get the bulk of their money from collecting rents on ex-council properties acquired through a scam. Mayhem follows as Bill takes us through two days of events that he persistently blames upon an impending full moon.

Irish short films include Photograph by Tyrone-born Stephen Benson, which has been nominated for Best International Short. Benson's fascinating film explores the explosion of closed circuit television cameras that now dot the Irish landscape, spying overhead on every move the citizens make.

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Nster.com