Three Northern Ireland Films Selected for Newport Beach Film Festival
Date Posted: October 4, 2024
THREE local productions have been selected for the prestigious 25th Newport Beach Film Festival in Southern California in what can only be described as a remarkable achievement for Northern Ireland’s film industry.
The films—The Old Guy, The Wise Guy, and Dead Man’s Money—will feature at the event, which is one of the largest international film showcases on the West Coast.
It is highly unusual for three films from Northern Ireland to be selected for an international film festival of this scale, marking a significant moment for the region’s film talent.
The Old Guy, directed by Simon West and produced by Martin Brennan, will kick off the festival on October 17th. The film stars Christoph Waltz as Terry Eubanks, an aging contract killer who is called back into action by “The Company.” Paired with a young, talented assassin, Terry uncovers a plot that may put them both at odds with their employers.
The Wise Guy, written and directed by Sam O’Mahoney, was produced via Northern Ireland Screen’s New Talent Focus scheme, aimed at showcasing Northern Ireland’s rising talent. The story follows 11-year-old Francis, whose world crumbles after his parents’ separation. Francis forms an unusual bond with a reclusive gangster living in the woods, leading to a life-changing experience.
The third film, Dead Man’s Money, written and directed by Paul Kennedy, features Kathy Kiera Clarke, Gerard Jordan, and Ciarán McMenamin. The plot revolves around a twisted inheritance scheme, where deceit and guilt unravel a carefully orchestrated plan, leading to devastating consequences.
All three films were shot on location in Northern Ireland with funding support from Northern Ireland Screen, further highlighting the region’s growing film industry.
Newport Beach Film Festival was founded in 1999 an has emerged as the largest cinema event in Southern California.
