Irish Talent Spotlight

Conor Horgan

Director: One Hundred Mornings

One Hundred Mornings is

Following meeting Michael for the first time in 1985, I witnessed his best of many qualities: his strong inherent sense of generosity. For him, the joy of sharing the cinematic treats he had savoured was as important as the joy of discovering such gems in the first place. Thus his co-founding of the Dublin Film Festival in 1985 was very much in that spirit of generously, sharing with others the world of cinema that Michael so much enjoyed. I fondly remember Michael being welcomed as a hero by the spirited band of previously quality-film-starved film festival goers as he entered the Regal Inn opposite the Screen Cinema, where cinema devotees from art house virgins to serial French new-wave addicts would swap opinions on Michael’s latest cinematic fare.

Following the demise of the Dublin Film Festival, Michael was determined to ensure film fans could once again share in his love of the genre, and 17 years on he repeated history and co-founded his second film festival in Dublin. He managed to programme the inaugural JDIFF in just two months, thanks to

Michael programmed the first five JDIFFs, which culminated in me having the honour of presenting my good friend and co-founder with a Volta Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2007, on behalf of the thousands of film-goers who had their eyes opened and senses sharpened by Michael to the world of cinema, both in print and on screen. When Michael became aware of his illness last year he selflessly stepped aside as Chairman, but thankfully remained as a Festival Director, still generously allowing all on the team to tap into his encyclopaedic cinematic knowledge when required.

I last met Michael in early December, when we chatted for over two hours. His indomitable spirit was so explicitly to the fore, his courage and determination to beat his illness matched

It was with a heavy heart I received the call on New Year’s Day of Michael’s passing. I will so miss my good friend, my hardworking colleague, and my inspirational mentor. Yet his legacy is great, with so many so grateful to him for sharing his enjoyment, his knowledge and his love of cinema with them over so many years.

This year’s JDIFF is dedicated to our co-founder, former Director, former Chairman and eternal friend.

David McLoughlin, Co-Founder, Director and Former Chairman, Jameson Dublin International Film Festival

Darren Healy

Actor: Savage

Darren Healy has received a 2010 IFTA nomination for Actor in a Lead Role for his work in Brendan Muldowney’s Savage (2009). He also starred in Margaret Corkery’s Eamon (2009), which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, and also won the Independent Camera Award in the Forum of Independents section at the 44th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

Eamon premiered at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival in 2009.

Darren’s list of screen credits include Crushproof (1998), Disco Pigs (2001), Dead Bodies (2003), and John Carney’s Oscar winning Once (2006). Most recently, he completed John Michael McDonagh’s debut feature film The Guard, starring Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle.

Darren has also appeared in a multitude of successful short films, notably Darren Thornton’s award-winning Frankie (2007).

Conor Horgan’s first feature film. Conor trained as a photographer, moving into directing TV commercials in the 90’s. He has directed over 70 commercials, winning several international awards including Best Director and Best Photographer at the 1993 Irish Advertising Awards. Since 2004, he has concentrated on drama and documentary work. His first short film, The Last Time (2002), was the recipient of seven awards, including the UIP Director Award and Best Irish Short at the Cork Film Festival. It received a nationwide cinema release in Ireland and has been screened at dozens of international festivals including Cannes, Clermont-Ferrand and Tampere. His documentaries include Happiness, Fear, About Beauty and The Beholder, which also screens at this year’s JDIFF.

Kate McCullough Cinematographer: His & Hers

Kate McCullough has had numerous successful collaborations during her studies at the prestigious Polish National Film School, including Significant Others, which was officially selected for the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

Upon her return from Poland, McCullough shot her debut feature documentary, His & Hers for director Ken Wardrop. Winner of the Best Irish Film award at the 2009 Galway Film Fleadh, His & Hers has been officially selected for the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. While attending IADT/ The National Film School in Ireland, she operated on Ken Wardrop’s award-winning 2004 short Undressing My Mother. McCullough recently picked up a Best Cinematography award for her work on Out of the Blue at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, and has just completed her first feature drama, Snap, for director Carmel Winters.