New Irish Film Distributor Wildcard Distribution Launches Today at the European Film Market in Berlin
- Irish film distributor Wildcard Distribution announces launch today at the European Film Market in Berlin;
- Backed by Irish film production company Fastnet Films, and run by Patrick O'Neill who is leaving the Irish Film Board after seven years with the film funding agency to head up the new company;
- Films to be released in Irish cinemas this year include LIFE'S A BREEZE, THE SWELL SEASON, and CYCLONE;
- CYCLONE will also be released worldwide;
- Wildcard Distribution to partner with UK distributor Metrodome on the Irish and UK release of Mark O'Connor's KING OF THE TRAVELLERS;
Wildcard Distribution launches today, with the announcement of its slate of films for 2013. The company will release Irish, as well as international titles theatrically and on DVD/VOD across Ireland and the UK.
The company is backed by Fastnet Films, and will be run by Patrick O'Neill, who is leaving the Irish Film Board after seven years at the agency.
2013 slate will include Lance Daly's LIFE'S A BREEZE, which stars Pat Shortt and Fionnuala Flanagan, and will be released theatrically in Ireland this summer.
THE SWELL SEASON was acquired by Wildcard during this year's European Film Market and will be released day and date in Ireland and the UK this year. The film follows Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova's world tour after their Oscar win for the feature film ONCE, and has already been a hit on the International festival circuit, having premiered in Tribeca and gone on to screen in many festivals worldwide.
Wildcard Distribution will also be releasing Andrew Gallimore's documentary about the legendary 1985 world title fight between Barry McGuigan and Eusebio Pedrosa, CYCLONE in late 2013. The film will be released in cinemas, on DVD, and on Video on Demand platforms worldwide. Multi-territory and multi-platform distribution is a key part of Wildcard's international strategy and the company will distribute a number of film projects using this model.
Wildcard will work with UK distributors to release both Irish and International projects in the Irish market as a sub-distributor, and are partnering with Metrodome in the UK to distribute Mark O'Connor's KING OF THE TRAVELLERS theatrically in Ireland. The film stars LOVE/HATE's Peter Coonan.
Patrick O'Neill said "I am really excited to be working with Fastnet Films on Wildcard, and the distribution of these great films. It's a fantastic slate of films and I'm sure audiences will love them as much as I do. It's been a great seven years at the IFB, and the staff and Board have provided me with wonderful opportunities, my heartfelt thanks to everyone who works there."
Fastnet Films commented "We are excited to be embarking on this new venture and look forward to Wildcard Distribution working alongside leading Irish and international directors and producers in releasing their films to Irish audiences. The board is delighted that someone of Patrick's dynamic character and passion, with his wealth of experience and knowledge of the ever evolving distribution landscape, will serve as CEO. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome him on board and wish him the very best of luck for the coming years."
Twitter: @wildcarddistrib
Facebook: Wildcard Distribution
ABOUT PATRICK O'NEILL
Patrick O'Neill will be finishing up as an Executive at the Irish Film Board later this month after seven years at the agency. During his time at the IFB, Patrick managed distribution for the IFB - Marketing Support for local distributors, as well as Direct Distribution for producers to release their films directly in the Irish marketplace. Patrick also worked in the area of sales and recoupment with the agency. Patrick has recently completed an MSC in Cyberpsychology, and has a Masters in Audiovisual Management from the Media Business School in Ronda, Spain, as well as a BA in Business and Marketing and a Higher Diploma in European Business.
ABOUT FASTNET FILMS
Fastnet Films is the production company of producers Macdara Kelleher, Morgan Bushe and director Lance Daly. The company produces and co-produces feature films, television drama and documentaries for domestic and international release, and are in post-production on the feature films LIFE'S A BREEZE directed by Lance Daly and starring Pat Shortt and Fionnuala Flanagan, LOVE ETERNAL directed by Brendan Muldowney and starring Robert De Hoog and Polyanna McIntosh, and THE F WORD directed by Michael Dowse and starring Daniel Radcliffe. Fastnet Film's credits include the award winning films: Kisses, Nothing Personal, Colony, The Runway, and The Other Side of Sleep.
ABOUT LIFE'S A BREEZE
LIFE'S A BREEZE tells the story of an Irish family as they search for a lost fortune around the streets of Dublin. It is written and directed by Lance Daly (Kisses), and stars Fionnuala Flanagan (The Guard), Irish comedian Pat Shortt (Garage), and newcomer Kelly Thornton.
ABOUT THE SWELL SEASON
The world fell in love with Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová when their songwriting collaboration in the film ONCE culminated in a jubilant Oscar win. But behind the scenes, where Glen and Markéta's on-screen romance became reality, a grueling two-year world tour threatened to fracture their fated bond. This music-filled documentary is an intimate look at the exhilaration and turmoil created by both love and fame. THE SWELL SEASON is directed by Nick August-Perna, Chris Dapkins, and Carlo Mirabella-Davis.
ABOUT CYCLONE
CYCLONE is a feature length documentary showing the dramatic historical events and true story behind the epic world title match that took place between Barry McGuigan and Eusebio Pedroza, a now legendary fight that gripped an entire Irish nation on one hot summer's night in 1985.
ABOUT KING OF THE TRAVELLERS
KING OF THE TRAVELLERS is a contemporary drama grounded in the traditions of the Irish traveller community and driven by emotive Shakespearean themes of love, betrayal, friendship and revenge. The story follows John Paul Moorehouse on his destructive quest to uncover the truth about the killer of his father 12 years ago. The film is directed by Mark O'Connor (Between The Canals) and stars Peter Coonan (Love/Hate), newcomer John Connors, and Michael Collins (Man About Dog).