Western Development Commission

Kathryn Reynolds In News, Producers, Wildcard Distribution, WRAP, WRAP Fund

Learning to Breath Under Water’ wraps production

Learning To Breathe Under Water, directed by Rebekah Fortune, has completed production in Galway, Ireland, with the support of WRAP.

Featuring an impressive cast led by Rory Kinnear (The Imitation Game) and Maria Bakalova (The Apprentice), the film has already garnered significant international interest, with pre-sales to territories including Benelux (September Film), Bulgaria (Beta), Eastern Europe excluding Poland (HBO), Former Yugoslavia (Karantanija Cinemas), the Middle East (Front Row), Poland (Best Film), and airline distribution (Aardwolf). The project is co-produced by Ireland’s Wildcard (Patrick O’Neill) and the UK’s Shudder Films (Jack Tarling), whose previous collaboration on Kneecap was both a box office success and Ireland’s submission for the Oscars.

Learning to Breathe Under Water follows an eight-year-old boy (newcomer Ezra Carlisle) as he navigates life after the death of his mother while his father swings between manic creativity and debilitating anxiety. The arrival of a Bulgarian au pair, played by Bakalova, brings unexpected changes to the household.

The film represents a global collaboration, with co-production partners including KeyFilm in the Netherlands, One Wave Films in Wales, and Eiru Films in the west of Ireland. Funding came from several prestigious bodies, including Screen Ireland, the BFI Global Screen Fund, Ffilm Cymru, the Netherlands Film Fund, Bankside Films, and Three Point Capital. WRAP investment played a vital role in facilitating production in Galway city, allowing the project to showcase the region’s talent, locations, and industry infrastructure. The feature was film in and around Galway City utilising Galway Airport as a studio space where several sets were built.

This is Fortune’s second feature film, following her acclaimed 2017 debut Just Charlie, which won the Ecrans Junior Award at Cannes, the Audience Award at Edinburgh, and was nominated for two BIFAs.

Original article by Mona Tabbara and published on Screen Daily. Read it here.

See also ‘Learning to Breath Under Water’ wraps production at Eirufilms.com

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WRAP Commission Professional Development Support: Access to Markets 2025

WRAP Commission to provide support for Regional professionals to attend international markets/trade events

As part of its efforts to support regional Film, TV, and Games creators across these counties the WRAP Commission offers support for producers to attend international markets & trade events such as the Marché du Film in Cannes, or GamesCom.

Email WRAP@ardan.ie with your details, your request for assistance, and the name of the Market you wish to attend. Please use the subject line: “Market Attendance Support”. This is a rolling call, but it is strongly advised that you get in touch 6-8 weeks prior to a marketplace closing registration if possible.

Support Available

WRAP offers financial support towards registration/accreditation for international Marketplace such as:

Attendance/Registration Fees: WRAP may cover or subsidise the cost of registration for Marketplace Attendance, granting access to market screenings, networking events, and industry seminars including:

Upcoming

Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival, France – May 13 – 21 [Please note: For Marché du Film 2025 accreditation, please make sure you have submitted all details by April 18th to allow time to process]
Gamescom, Cologne, Germany (Trade Tickets) – Aug 20-24

Other Upcoming Markets:

Annecy International Animation Film Festival & Market, France
Sheffield DocFest, UK
IDFA, Netherlands
Focus London, UK
EFM / Berlinale, Germany

Logistical Support: WRAP may offer logistical support to assist producers in navigating the complexities of attending markets, including:

Providing information and guidance on visa requirements, travel arrangements, and accommodation.
Offering advice on maximising the benefits of attending Markets, including advice on scheduling meetings, preparing pitch materials, and following up with contacts after the event.

What is NOT Covered: WRAP cannot cover the following:

Travel Expenses
Accommodation
Non-Registration-related costs

Access to Markets: Assessment Criteria

Accreditation Rules: Please note that any application will be subject to the normal accreditation requirements of each market which may include verifying you/your company and requiring other materials such as IMDb listing, etc.

Residency in the WRAP Region: Producers seeking support from the WRAP Fund must be resident in the WRAP region, comprising Galway, Clare, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, or Donegal.

Track Record: Producers should have a demonstrated track record of professional experience and success in the industry, which may include previous credits on successful productions, awards or recognition, participation in industry training programs, or membership in professional organizations.

Project Proposal: Producers must submit a project proposal outlining the project or projects they intend to promote at Market, including information such as synopsis, budget, financing plan, target audience, and distribution strategy.

Budget and Finance Plan: Must demonstrate their ability to cover any remaining costs not covered by WRAP

Funding Necessity: Producers must demonstrate that they are not already in receipt of funding for attending the Market you are applying for.

Please Note:

This is a COMPETITIVE process and WRAP cannot guarantee support for Marketplace attendance.

This is a LIMITED fund and operates on a competitive basis until exhausted annually. WRAP cannot guarantee support for every Marketplace and priority will be given to producers/companies who make the best case for supporting their attendance at a particular market based on the impact it will deliver.

In EXCEPTIONAL cases WRAP may consider specific requests for attending Genre or Format-specific International Markets. This will only be considered if the Producer/Company can make a strong case that it would be likely to have a significant impact on their capacity to create and sustain work in the region

How To Apply

WRAP is a joint initiative between Ardán and WDC, in association with local authorities in Clare, Donegal, Galway City, Galway County, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, and Údarás na Gaeltachta.

#WRAP #WRAPTalent

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God’s Creatures To Premiere In Directors’ Fortnight At The Cannes Film Festival 2022

Irish feature film God’s Creatures has been selected for it’s world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival as part of the Directors’ Fortnight. With support from the Western Region Audiovisual Producers Fund (WRAP Fund), the psychological thriller shot on location in Donegal in the Spring of 2021 and stars Emily Watson and Paul Mescal.

From award winning directors Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer, the film is produced by Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly following her critically acclaimed successes Ammonite and Lady Macbeth from a screenplay by Shane Crowley. Set in a windswept fishing village, the story follows a mother who is torn between protecting her beloved son and her own sense of right and wrong. A lie she tells for him rips apart their family and close-knit community in this tense, sweepingly emotional epic.

Locations including Teelin, Killybegs and Kilcar form the stunning backdrop for the film which received assistance from the Donegal Film Office within Donegal County Council. A24 are handling international sales. God’s Creatures is supported by A24, BBC Films, Screen Ireland, and the WRAP Fund.

2022 will herald the full return of the Cannes Film Festival and the 54th edition of the Directors’ Fortnight section which will run from May 18-27.

The WRAP Fund is an initiative of the Western Development Commission and Ardán in association with the local authorities of Clare, Donegal, Galway City, Galway County, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo and Údarás na Gaeltachta.

#WRAPFund #WRAPTalent #LookWest

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Brand New Podcast Series “The CrewCall Podcast” Is Now Available / Tá Sraith Podchraoltaí Úrnua “The CrewCall Podcast” ar Fáil Anois

The WRAP Fund has partnered with Galway Film Centre and the BAI to launch Ireland’s newest podcast The CrewCall Podcast. Hosted by Galway’s Linda Bhreathnach, the six-part series features creative talent from often underexplored areas of the Irish film & television industry. For anyone with an interest in the booming sector, the podcast gives listeners the chance to learn from experts in their field including Mary Pike, Eimear O’Grady, Linda Gannon, Steve Lynch, Peadar Cox and Barry Conroy.

Helmed by Linda Bhreathnach who herself is an award-winning writer, director and actress, each episode delves into the craft, career trajectories and anecdotes of a diverse range of professionals from critical fields in screen production which are not regularly spotlighted ranging from stunts to music to lighting. The guests include:

Barry Conroy (Gaffer)
Peadar Cox (Dialect Coach, Translator, Writer & Actor)
Linda Gannon Foster (Hair Designer)
Steve Lynch (Composer)
Eimear O’Grady (Stuntwoman & Stunt Coordinator)
Mark Pike (3D Modeller, Set Designer & Draftsperson)

For Linda Bhreathnach, “it has been a great honour to be the presenter of this series. I am passionate about Westerners having sustainable jobs within the film industry, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to talk to these great guests and share their inspiring stories. I hope that the listeners will learn more about all the exciting career options within our industry and find encouragement from our guests to help develop their own work”.

All six episodes are freely available from today (09th March,2022) on Spotify and the usual podcast platforms. Join in the conversation on social media by using the #GFCCrewCallPodcast.

The CrewCall Podcast is brought to audiences by Galway Film Centre in association with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and Western Region Audiovisual Producers Fund (WRAP Fund).

Tá an podchraoladh is nuaí in Éirinn, The CrewCall Podcast, seolta ag Ionad Scannán na Gaillimhe i gcomhar le hÚdarás Craolacháin na hÉireann agus leis an gCiste WRAP. Curtha i láthair ag Linda Bhreathnach, as Gaillimh, tabharfar tús áite sa tsraith sé chuid seo do thallann chruthaitheach ó réimsí de thionscal scannán agus teilifíse na hÉireann nach minic a ndéantar trácht orthu. Don té a bhfuil spéis aige san earnáil seo faoi bhláth, tabharfar deis leis an tsraith seo eolas a chur ar na réimsí sin ó na saineolaithe iad féin lena n-áirítear Mary Pike, Eimear O’Grady, Linda Gannon, Steve Lynch, Peadar Cox agus Barry Conroy.

Faoi stiúir Linda Bhreathnach, scríbhneoir, stiúrthóir agus aisteoir a bhfuil gradaim buaite aici, tabharfar léargas ar an gceird i ngach eagrán chomh maith le treochtaí gairme agus scéalta éagsúla na ndaoine gairmiúla ó réimsí fíorthábhachtacha i gcúrsaí léirithe scáileáin, ar réimsí iad nach dtugtar aird rómhinic orthu, éachtaí, ceol agus soilsiú ina measc. I measc na n-aíonna beidh:

– Barry Conroy (Saoiste)
– Peadar Cox (Cóitseálaí Canúna, Aistritheoir, Scríbhneoir & Aisteoir)
– Linda Gannon Foster (Dearthóir Gruaige)
– Steve Lynch (Cumadóir)
– Eimear O’Grady (Éachtóir & Comhordaitheoir Éachta)
– Mary Pike (Mionsamhaltóir 3T, Dearthóir Seit & Línitheoir)

Is éard a dúirt Linda Breathnach, “Is mór an onóir dom a bheith mar láithreoir ar an seó seo. Bhí sé an-suimiúil a bheith ag caint leis na haíonna ar fad. Tá mé paiseanta faoi rólanna agus jabanna a bheith ag muintir an Iarthair i scannánaíocht agus mar sin bhí mo chroí go hiomlán san obair. Tá súil agam go dtaitneoidh sé le daoine agus go spreagfaidh sé dream a bhfuil suim acu san obair scannánaíochta dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ina gcuid oibre féin”.

Tá na sé eagrán ar fad ar fáil saor in aisce ón lá inniu ar aghaidh (09 Márta, 2022) ar Spotify agus ar na gnáthardáin do phodchraoltaí. Glac páirt sa chomhrá ar na meáin shóisialta trí úsáid a bhaint as #GFCCrewCallPodcast.

Ionad Scannán na Gaillimhe i gcomhar le hÚdarás Craolacháin na hÉireann (BAI) agus Ciste Western Region Audiovisual Producers (Ciste WRAP) atá ag cur an Podchraoladh CrewCall faoi bhráid an lucht éisteachta.

About The Host

Linda Bhreathnach is an Irish writer, director, and actress. From Ros Muc, Connemara in the West of Ireland, she played the part as Róise de Burca in the long-running soap opera Ros na Rún. Bhreathnach also had a starring role in the critically acclaimed political drama The Running Mate and in the BBC/TG4 drama Seacht / Seven.  She wrote and directed the short film Adulting, among other awards it won best short film at the London Irish Film festival, and she won a Rising Star Award with Irish Screen America (New York and Los Angeles) for her work on it. In 2017, she wrote and directed Native, a short film shot in Ireland starring Patrick Bergin. In 2018, Bhreathnach released the short film My Mother Is My Priest. The film is described as a ‘celebration of mothers’ and was released by Linda Bhreathnach Films.  More recently, Linda wrote the screenplay Girleen, a contemporary film on the life of women and girls in the modern world and is now the proud host of The Crew Call Podcast.

About the Guests

Barry Conroy – Barry is a Gaffer with an extensive career in the Irish industry who has worked on productions such as Frank, The Lobster, Free Fire, Dublin Murders, Finding Joy, and Foundations, to name a few.
Peadar Cox - Peadar is an Irish language script translator, writer, actor, and dialect coach. He has worked on productions such as Calm With Horses, Pilgrimage, Black 47, & An Bronntanas. Peadar also an IFTA nominated actor and is currently a scriptwriter on Ros na Rún.
Linda Gannon Foster – Based in Galway, Linda is a Hair Designer, who has worked on some great productions including Dublin Oldschool, Deadstill, Foundation, Fate: The Winx Saga and more recently Elizabeth Banks’s Cocaine Bear.  In 2020, Linda was nominated for two Irish Film & Television Awards. And alongside Liz Byrne, she took home the award for Best Hair & Makeup for her work on Gretel & Hansel.
Steve Lynch – Steve is a Composer, known for Irish films like Finky, Let Us Pray & recently Boys From County Hell. Living in Galway, Steve also writes his own song and works extensively in commercials both for Irish and International market.
Eimear O’Grady – Eimear is a Stuntwomen, Stunt Coordinator, and proud president of The Stunt Guild Ireland. Based in Galway, Eimear’s credits are endless, including stunt work on TV Series like The Tudors, Vikings, Rebellion, Penny Dreadful and Rippers Street. More recently, she was the Stunt Coordinator on international productions such as Highflyers, Foundation, The Green Knight, Normal People & The Banshees of Inisherin, and many more.
Mary Pike – Mary has worked in the Art Dep for many high-profile projects in New Zealand’s WETA WORKSHOP including, Avatar, Warcraft, and Mad Max. While closer to home, Mary work as a 3D MODELLER, Set Designer and/or DRAFTSPERSON on productions such as Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Alice Through The Looking Glass & Disenchanted.