There IS an audience for cinema documentary in Ireland – so how do filmmakers find, engage and excite them?
Combining filmmaker-delivered case studies with insights from experienced industry consultants, In Real Life is a half-day interactive workshop and networking session for filmmakers with feature documentary projects that are currently in production, post-production or recently completed who want to understand today’s cinema landscape and learn essential tools for navigating it successfully.
Docs Ireland are delighted to host this special workshop led by filmmaker Luke McManus and the culture journalist and curator Derek O’Connor. It will take place as part of Docs Ireland on Friday 21st June 2024 (9.30am – 1.00pm) at the Blackbox Belfast. There will be a charge of £25 for selected participants (maximum of 2 attendees per project).
Tickets are available here.
In Real Life is funded by Screen Ireland as part of their Audience Development initiative.
Format of the Day
09.30am – Hellos, introductions and In Real Life explained
After a brief meet and greet for participants, event organisers Luke McManus and Derek O’Connor welcome attendees and introduce the day’s events, while offering insights into their ongoing In Real Life project, dedicated to the cultural relevance, importance and impact of Irish documentary cinema.
10.00am – Case studies: Irish documentary makers in focus
A trio of acclaimed Irish filmmakers explore the challenges facing working documentary makers today, from funding and shooting to distribution and exhibition, while offering insights into their celebrated works.
Luke McManus -The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid
Alison Millar – Lyra
Ross Whitaker – Between Land & Sea/Katie/Birdsong
11.00am – The Market for Enlightening Entertainment
From film and music to literature and visual art, we’ve always punched above our weight globally but Irish culture is officially having a moment, and then some. A gathering of choice cultural tastemakers and gatekeepers – spanning the worlds of event management, marketing, curation, publicity, partnership and the market for serious-minded conversation – discuss how it all happened, while offering insights as to how one might co-opt this formidable creative currency for one’s own projects.
SPEAKERS:
Tom Lawlor – Co-Director, Bram Stoker Festival
Charlene Lydon – Development Executive, Element Pictures
Stephen McCauley – Host, The Stephen McCauley Show, BBC Radio Ulster
Naoise Nunn – Creator and Producer, Kilkenomics/Leviathan/
11.45 COFFEE BREAK
(Tea and coffee will be provided)
12.00am – International reach and the festival circuit
So you’ve made your documentary – but how to bring it to as wide an audience as possible? A panel of industry veterans discuss the challenges facing documentary filmmakers when it comes to making a splash internationally, and explore how to best formulate a strategy for effectively bringing films to the global festival circuit.
SPEAKERS:
Isadora Johnson – Sales Agent, Cinetic Media
Imogen Sutton – Festival Manager, Autlook Filmsales
Martijn Te Pas – Documentary Consultant
Ania Trzebiatowska – Programmer, Sundance Film Festival
12.45am – Meet the exhibitors
So you’ve made your movie… What now? A choice panel of exhibitors and industry experts discuss the state of cinema exhibition today, why cinemas still matter when it comes to your movie making a splash, and what audiences respond to when it comes to documentaries.
SPEAKERS:
David Kelly – Programmer, Lighthouse Cinema
Sarah Gunn-Smith – Film Hub NI
Sunniva O’Flynn – Head of Irish Film Programming, Irish Film Institute
Chris O’Neill – Head of Cinema, Triskel Arts Centre, Cork
Michael Staley – Programmer, Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast