One of a small number of Oscar affiliated film festivals

A host of Hollywood names will join the line-up for this year’s festival, including, Oscar® winning director Danny Boyle in conversation with BAFTA nominated screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce while Pulitzer Prize winning writer and actor Sam Shepard will attend a screening of his classic movie, Paris, Texas in Brunswick Moviebowl on Friday November 22. Academy® Award winning actor Jeremy Irons will also present his new environmental documentary feature film, Trashed.

The annual festival, a flagship project of the Nerve Centre, launches on November 20 in Brunswick Moviebowl, with the premiere gala screening of Big Bad Wolves, described by Quentin Tarantino as, ‘The best film of the year’. Other highlights include; a special 40th anniversary, never-before-seen in UK cinemas, screening of The Wicker Man. Featuring brand new extras and the soundtrack, this is every movie fan’s perfect ending to a much mythicised search for the most complete version of the cult-classic film.

Former Eastenders star, Martin Kemp, will present and discuss, The Best Years, written and directed by Galliagh man Danny Patrick. Set in Derry~Londonderry following the Peace Process, the plot centres around a group of gangsters who set out to use the Apprentice Boys march to further their own get rich quick scheme.

An exciting new element to the Foyle Film Festival will undoubtedly be the screening of Psycho with the original score played by the Ulster Orchestra. Film fans will experience a powerhouse of driving rhythms and eerie menace as the Ulster Orchestra performs Bernard Herrmann’s chilling score, while Hitchcock’s cinematic classic is shown above on the big screen.

The role of music in film will be examined in a series of free industry-led workshops. Portmanteau, the UK music agency, which has placed music in box office hits such as, The Fast and The Furious and The Iron Lady together with Ian Neil, music supervisor on Snatch, Kick Ass and 127 Hours, will share their experiences of music placement in films. Aspiring film-makers will also want to avail of the Directors Masterclass with Lenny Abrahamson, described by the Financial Times as ‘may be the best thing that ever happened to Irish cinema’.

Bernie McLaughlin, Foyle Film Festival director, said: ‘The Foyle Film Festival is preparing to treat film fans to another exciting programme of great films- from the latest releases to cult classics. We are also thrilled that many internationally renowned filmmakers will be in attendance to screen their work and speak to festival audiences, including Danny Boyle, Jeremy Irons and Gerry Gregg among others – providing unique opportunities for people to learn from the best in business.”

Check out the full programme at www.foylefilmfestival.org ’.