Dinard, France — The Dinard Festival of British & Irish Film is set to showcase a blend of cinematic talent from the UK, with notable jury members including actors Rupert Everett, Jennifer Saunders, and Ruby Wax. Scheduled for October 1-5, the festival will spotlight a diverse array of films, highlighting emerging talent and established filmmakers alike.
Joining the jury are UK documentary filmmaker Molly Dineen, along with prominent French figures such as actors Rachida Brakni and Reda Kateb, and journalist Claire Chazal. Their collective expertise will help evaluate the films competing for awards at the festival.
Among the five films featured in competition is Akinola Davies’ “My Father’s Shadow.” This film, which premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, marks Davies’ debut as a feature director. Set in Lagos amidst the turbulent 1993 Nigerian election crisis, the semi-autobiographical narrative follows a day in the life of a family, with actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù in the lead role. The film will be released by Mubi in the UK and Ireland, North America, and Turkey, while French audiences can look forward to a release from Le Pacte.
Another contender is “The Thing With Feathers,” directed by Dylan Southern and based on Max Porter’s acclaimed book “Grief Is The Thing With Feathers.” The film features Benedict Cumberbatch and has previously gained recognition at major festivals including Sundance and Berlin. Vue Lumière is set to distribute the film in the UK and Ireland.
Additional titles vying for recognition at the festival include Marc Evans’ “Mr Burton,” featuring Harry Lawtey and Toby Jones, Thordur Palsson’s “The Damned,” which premiered at Tribeca, and Paul Andrew Williams’ “Dragonfly,” also a festival favorite from Tribeca and Edinburgh.
Although this year’s competition lacks films directed by female filmmakers, there is a commendable representation in other festival sections. The festival will open with Kristin Scott Thomas’s directorial debut “My Mother’s Wedding,” which features a star-studded cast including Scarlett Johansson and Sienna Miller. Having premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, the film sets a promising tone for the event.
Other films included in the talent of tomorrow section are Nadia Fall’s “Brides” and Daisy-May Hudson’s “Lollipop,” showcasing the rising stars in filmmaking. The non-competitive lineup will feature entries such as Harris Dickinson’s “Urchin,” James McAvoy’s “California Schemin’,” and Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor’s “Dreamers.”
The festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of British and Irish cinema, offering a platform for both seasoned filmmakers and newcomers to shine.
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