KFF Issues Call for Entries for 12th Edition

Juliette Binoche pictured with Maureen O'Hara after receiving the Maureen O' Hara Award at last year's KFF

KFF offers thousands of Euro in cash prizes and a prestigious showcase for new film makers

Kerry Film Festival (KFF), the biggest little film festival in the world, has issued a call for entries for the 2011 edition of its prestigious festival. KFF will run from October 29th to November 5th, and is offering thousands of euro in cash prizes to up and coming film makers.

The main feature of Kerry Film Festival is a short film competition that focuses on young film makers and awards prizes in a number of different categories including Best Irish Film, Best International Film, Best Documentary Film and Best Animated Film. Winning films are selected by a world class panel of adjudicators, with KFF adjudicators including such leading lights as Jeremy Irons, Noel Pearson, Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne. KFF also presents the Maureen O' Hara award to a lady that has excelled in film, with Oscar winning actress Juliette Binoche picking up the award in 2010, which was presented by Maureen O' Hara herself.

KFF has, over the last four years, increased audience numbers from 1,500 in 2006 to close to 10,000 in 2010, making it one of the premiere film festivals in Ireland. KFF is celebrating its 12th birthday this year and will bring films and film makers to the most beautiful location. There has been particularly strong international interest in KFF over the past few years, with film makers from all over the globe submitting work. In fact entries for the 2011 edition have already come flooding in from as far away as Brazil and Korea and from as close to home as Ballina and Killarney. KFF director, Jason O' Mahony, is delighted with the response so far and is hopeful that 2011 will be another bumper year for entries. "Last year we received 548 entries, which was fantastic for us. We've had a wonderfully strong response so far this year with close to 200 movies already received and we're still months away from the deadline. I'd love to see an increase in the number of films submitted and would encourage all film makers to send in their work. KFF is a special little festival, we've screenings all over the Kingdom with films showing in Tralee, Killarney, Dingle, Listowel, Kenmare, Waterville and Caherciveen, which makes us one of the most geographically dispersed festivals, not only in Ireland, but in the whole world, but we're still an intimate little festival and all the filmmakers that come have a wonderful time."

The focus of Kerry Film Festival is, as always, on young, up-and-coming filmmakers, giving the KFF audience an opportunity to see and love the work of directors before they become widely known. "Because the film making process is such an expensive one, and because the money for film making is so tightly controlled, most directors cut their teeth on the short film format," said O' Mahony. "In 2009, for example we screened The Crush – it was the world premier of a film which went on to garner awards and accolades from festivals all over the globe – including being short listed for an Oscar. Our audience had a chance to see the film before anyone else and the response to the film was phenomenal."

While KFF is an intimate little festival, the quality of both the films and the panel of adjudicators consistently punch above the festival's weight. Having such well respected adjudicators view and select the winning films is a huge advantage to winning filmmakers. "It's one of the unique strengths of KFF," added O' Mahony, "We offer young filmmakers a chance to have their work seen by respected pros and, if their film is selected, then the kudos which goes along with having their film selected will hopefully help them take the next step in their careers."

KFF also has an extensive partnership with festivals around the globe with festivals in the US, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Finland and the UK all screening the winning shorts from Kerry. As winning film maker Declan Cassidy explains, "Kerry Film Festival is the film festival which just keeps on giving! It was a wonderfully warm experience. The staff and organisers are genuinely concerned about ensuring that we, the film makers, had a wonderful time."

"The award I won there has commanded a lot of respect in promoting the film to industry and other festivals. But it didn't stop there. Festival Director, Jason O' Mahony, has forged an extremely impressive network with other festivals and he worked tirelessly to promote my film to them. As a result my film played in a number of festivals it would not have otherwise reached and, to my surprise and delight, the film picked up another award at one of these in Italy. Kerry Film Festival is the kind of festival you want to go back to again and again."

For more information and to download an application form please click here. The closing date for submissions is August 1st.

News from Galway Film Centre

Adsell Productions
Are looking for Camera Ops & Editors
www.wfi.ie
www.iftn.ie/jobs and Send Message
Deadline 29 March 2011

Mind the Gap Films
Are looking for a Director
www.mindthegapfilms.com
www.iftn.ie/jobs and Send Message
Deadlien 31 March 2011

Tailored Films
Are looking for Freelance Editors
www.tailoredfilms.ie
www.iftn.ie/jobs and Send Message

7 Weekend Film Foundation Course (€75 early bird discount)
Learn about the steps involved in making a short film and then make a short film over 7 weekends, under the guidance of experienced film tutors. Use the finished DVD as part of a portfolio for work or college.
Course Dates: 7 weekends; April 9-10, 16-17, May 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29, June 11-12 (10am-5pm) (includes a 2 weekend break for Easter)
Course Cost: € 655 unwaged/€ 725 waged (Payment can be spread over the first few weeks and these fees include membership to the Centre for the year). To see films made on this course and for more info, go to: http://www.galwayfilmcentre.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid

Stop-Motion Animation Workshop
Make your own animation through drawings, claymation and photos using i-stop motion. Learn how to use this software and how to shoot your animation film on a movie camera, camcorder, pocket camera or even a mobile phone. This course is very practical and by the end, you should hopefully be able to go and make your own animations at home. Materials will be provided. Suitable for beginners or those with a little knowledge and class sizes are very limited.
About the Tutor: Aideen Barry is a Visual Artist, working in animation, film, drawing, performance, sculpture, photography and sound installation. Her films and video have been shown widely both nationally and internationally including at Moderna Museet, Sweden, The Other Gallery and the Walter Phillps Gallery, Banff, Canada.
Dates: 6 Tuesday evenings, 7pm - 9pm, March 29, April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 2011
Fee: €225 unwaged/ €255 waged* (Includes membership. 10% discount if you have done a course with us in the last year.)
Link to animations created on a recent workshop:
http://www.galwayfilmcentre.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90&Itemid > =

ID PROJECTS – IDENTIFYING YOUR COMMUNITY
Do you belong to a community, social or voluntary group in Galway City or County?
Do you have a unique voice which encapsulates your community, tradition, lifestyle, views or culture?
ID Projects offer groups an exciting opportunity to make their own documentary based on the theme of identity with the help of a professional documentary maker.
Galway Film Centre, the Arts Council, Galway City and County Councils would like to offer you this great opportunity to participate in ID Projects at no cost to your group.
If you would like to learn more, join us at our free information evening in:
Westside Library, Wednesday March 30th at 6.00pm
Ballinasloe Library, Thursday March 31st at 6.00pm
For more information and application forms please contact Nuala at the Galway Film Centre at 091 770748 or email: projects@galwayfilmcentre.ie
Closing date for application is April 15th 2011


RTÉ Storyland episodes two- two Galway entries

Look out for
http://www.rte.ie/storyland/episodes-the-outlaw-concy-ryan.html

http://www.rte.ie/storyland/episodes-lucky-run.html


The Kelly's Movie Table Quiz takes place on the 4th of April from 8.00pm. Once again all film fans, from the devoted to the casual, are invited to test their knowledge in the gladiatorial like arena that is Upstairs at Kelly's. Twenty euro per table of four, it was a sell out last month and it will sell out this month so get your tickets early. With audio/visual rounds, spot prizes and much much more!


‘Éalú’ Production Wraps
Magamedia are currently in production with the third series of drama-documentary series, ‘Éalú’. The new installment is at the end of its shoot and production is to wrap on Sunday, March 27th. Directed by Paddy Hayes (Corp + Anam), this series will examine the Irish republican prisoners who escaped from Irish jail
http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4283730&tpl=archnews&force=1

Human Rights Film Awards Deadline Approaches

The submissions deadline for the 2011 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards is fast approaching, those wishing to enter their projects have until Friday, April 15th to do so. Individual film students, filmmakers, and/ or those with a strong interest in human rights are invited to submit their original short film focusing on a particular human rights issue in or related to Ireland.
http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4283723&tpl=archnews&force=1

Celtic Media Festival 13-15 April
www.celticmediafestival.co.uk

Belfast Film Festival 31st March-14 April
http://www.belfastfilmfestival.org/


Cartoon Saloon goes solo with jobs boost for city
http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/local/cartoon_saloon_goes_solo_with_jobs_boost_for_city_1_2528085


Arizona Festival Selects Irish Projects

Irish feature film ‘Man Made Men’ will have its U.S. premiere at the 20th Anniversary Arizona International Film Festival. Other Irish projects being shown as part of the festival include Sean Garland’s feature doc, ‘NokotaHeart’, Risteard O’Domhnaill’s ‘The Pipe’ and Mary Redmond’s short, ‘Cured’
http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4283725&tpl=archnews&force=1

Irish Selection at Budapest's Titanic Film Fest
Organisers of Budapest’s 18th Titanic International Film Festival have introduced a new section to this year’s event entitled Irish Selection. The new section of the festival looks to celebrate the Irish film industry and will include screenings of ‘Savage’, ‘One Hundred Mornings’, ‘Perrier’s Bounty’ and ‘Essential Killing’.
http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4283727&tpl=archnews&force=1

Blinder Films See A Host of Festival Selections for ‘One Hundred Mornings’ and ‘Sensation’
Conor Horgan's apocalyptic ONE HUNDRED MORNINGS and Tom Hall's smart and sexy SENSATION are proving extremely popular on an international level with numerous festival screenings lined up in the coming weeks. Both of these features were produced by Irish production company Blinder Films.
http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/news/Blinder_Films_See_A_Host_of_Festival_Selections_for_lsquoOne_Hundred_Morningsrsquo_and_lsquoSensationrsquo/1609

Irish Documentary COLONY on DVD and Digital Release in the US from March 29th
Award-winning Colony, the Irish debut feature documentary co-directed by Ross McDonnell and Carter Gunn, is set for DVD and digital release in the US from March 29th.

This beautifully photographed film follows several American beekeepers over the course of two years, investigating the unexplainable phenomenon Colony Collapse Disorder which has seen a drop in almost a quarter of the number of bees in the United States, threatening the beekeeping industry and because agriculture depends on pollination, therefore threatening our food supplies.
http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/news/Irish_Documentary_COLONY_on_DVD_and_Digital_Release_in_the_US_from_March_29th/1608


Virtual Cinema Short ‘The Monk & The Fly’ Becomes YouTube Hit
The short animation THE MONK & THE FLY has become a YouTube hit after being selected as one of the websites ‘featured' clips on its home page and receiving over 64,000 hits overnight.
http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/news/Virtual_Cinema_Short_lsquoThe_Monk_amp_The_Flyrsquo_Becomes_YouTube_Hit/1610

Horror film WAKE WOOD goes on release today
David Keating's new horror WAKE WOOD goes on limited theatrical, digital and DVD release in Ireland and the UK from today 25th March.
http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/news/Horror_film_WAKE_WOOD_goes_on_release_today/1611

KFF Receives a Record Number of Entries

Steph Green's New Boy, KFF 2007

The Kerry Film Festival (KFF), which is celebrating 11 years of bringing film to the people of Kerry, was inundated with short films for its upcoming festival. 541 films were submitted for the short film competition, with films coming from 38 different countries across the globe. The increase in submissions is testament to the work being done by the festival in both the promotion of Irish films abroad and the promotion of short-films in general.

KFF has partnered with a number of film festivals in other countries and the approach has paid dividends with the festival securing more entries than in previous years. The partnerships have also provided a perfect way for KFF to screen Irish films abroad.

"This will be the eleventh year of the Kerry Film Festival and both the quantity and quality of the films has increased every year," said Jason O' Mahony, Festival Director. "We received 541 short films this year, which is up almost 20% on last year. We've had films from as far away as Argentina and South Africa and as close to home as Cork and Killarney and we're absolutely thrilled with the response."

Festival staff now face the difficult task of whittling those 541 films down to the 60 or 70 films that will screen as part of the festival. "It's part of the fun of the job," says O' Mahony. "With such a huge number of entries the selection process will take some time but it's already well under way. We received close to 200 films from Ireland with more than 300 films coming from abroad so competition for places will be very tough, particularly given the quality of the films. It seems to rise every year!"

Films that are lucky enough to be selected will play during the Kerry Film Festival which runs from October 30th to November 6th this year. Screenings take place all over Kerry but Siamsa Tire in Tralee will be the main hub of the festival.

"We're very lucky in our partnership with Siamsa," adds O' Mahony. "It's an amazing venue and filmmakers absolutely love to have their work screened there. The venue is top-class. The screen and sound system are top-class. And the staff is always so helpful and friendly that we're really looking forward to all the screenings that will take place in Siamsa this year!"

Once the films have been selected by the festival panel, they will compete with one another for a number of prizes that will be judged by both festival attendees and a select group of film adjudicators.

"We've lined up a stellar panel of adjudicators to help select the winning films. James Marsh, the Oscar winning director of MAN ON WIRE and Tomm Moore, the Oscar nominated director of THE SECRET OF KELLS, will adjudicate the documentary and animated short films respectively."

Kerry Film Festival is quickly becoming one of the hottest small festivals on the scene, giving audience members a chance to see films by up and coming directors as well as an opportunity to interact with some of the most established names in the world. The festival also screens a number of features, while its education programme alone saw more than 2,000 students from all parts of Kerry attend screenings in 2009.

"Last year was a huge success, in terms of both the numbers of screenings and the audience that came," added O' Mahony. "But we're pretty confident that 2010 can even top that."

Bits & Bobs - all the Irish Film News worth Reporting!

Bits & Bobs - all the Irish Film News worth Reporting!
Celebrating Ireland’s Home Movies Saturday August 21st 12-4pm
In the first Irish event of its kind, the IFI have invited amateur filmmakers to share their celluloid memories with the public. Some of the most interesting films in the IFI Irish Film Archive collections were made by non-professional filmmakers.

Irish Baywatch coming to RTÉ 2
Mission Beach USA, a reality show about eight teens from Ireland who spend part of their summer in Fort Lauderdale training to be lifeguards is currently being made for RTÉ 2.

His & Hers Scoops Traverse Film Festival Prize
Ken Wardrop’s IFTA winning feature has claimed the Best Non-Fiction Foreign Jury Award at the Traverse City Film Festival in Michigan.

ESSENTIAL KILLING, which is co-produced by Element Pictures is to receive its world premiere screening at the upcoming 67th Venice International Film Festival

Nemeton Teo is currently enrolling for an intensive TV Presenters Course to be run over four consecutive days in its television studio.

'Every Second Sunday'
Hubbard and Banks Media goes into production with short film ‘Every Second Sunday’ this weekend. Starring Simon Delaney (Zonad) and Lee Ingleby (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) it will shoot in Dublin and Bray. Simon Hubbard (Jack) is the writer/director of the project with Fergal O'Hanlon (Yu Ming is Ainm Dom) on board as director of photography.

The short film will start production this coming Saturday, August 14th. Fergal O'Hanlon will be shooting the project on RED.

Neil Jordan Adapting ‘Skippy Dies’ Irish Shoot Planned
Neil Jordan has begun adapting, and will be directing, Skippy Dies, a feature film that will shoot in Ireland.

‘Horses’ Ride to Grierson Nomination
The feature documentary ‘Horses’, from writer/director Liz Mermin (The Beauty Academy of Kabul, Shot in Bombay), has been shortlisted for the Best Cinema Documentary award at the Grierson Awards which will take place on the 2nd November in London’s BFI Southbank.

Irish female screenwriters wanted for thesis research

Film Fest Deadlines
The deadline for the http://www.clonesfilmfestival.com/, which takes place from 20-24 October, is 31 August 2010

Exposed Film Festival has extended its deadline to August 27, 2010

KFF issues call for Entries to the 11th Annual Kerry Film Festival

Kerry Film Festival - Things to do in Kerry

Dave Fanning; Kerry Filmmaker, Gerard Barrett; Rebecca Miller and James Christopher at the 2009 Kerry Film Festival

The Kerry Film Festival (KFF), which is celebrating eleven years of bringing film to the people of Kerry, has issued a call for entries for the Kerry Film Festival 2010, which runs from October 30th to November 6th.

"The Kerry Film Festival is committed to playing a leading role in providing a forum for emerging talent in film," said Jason O' Mahony, Director of the Kerry Film Festival. "This dedication is evidenced by both the quality of the films screened and the quality of adjudicators that select the winning films. Awards are given in a number of categories including Best Short Film, Best Irish Short, Best International Short, Best Documentary Short and Best Animated Short."

All prizes including Best Director will be selected by a jury of internationally renowned film professionals. Past adjudicators of the Kerry Film Festival Short Film Competition have included such luminaries as Jeremy Irons and Michael Fassbender in 2009, Liam Neeson in 2008 and Gabriel Byrne in 2007.

When asked what makes KFF special O' Mahony said, "I think having so many of the filmmakers on hand to speak about their films and their creative journey ensures a rewarding film festival experience for both the filmmaker and the audience. One of the advantages of KFF, I suppose, is that it's such an intimate little festival but the quality of the films and quality of the adjudicators consistently punches above its weight."

While the main focus of the festival will continue to be on shorts, this year sees an extension of the programme. "Last year was our most successful Festival so far," said O' Mahony. "We screened more films to more people in more venues that ever before and this year we're hoping to top that!" The 2009 edition of KFF saw 6,119 people attend screenings in more than twenty venues throughout Kerry.

The 2010 edition of KFF will also see more Education screenings, more active retired screenings and a larger workshop programme.

Entries should be sent to Kerry Film Festival, Unit 1, The Windmill Complex, Blennerville, Tralee, Co. Kerry by 1 August. Application forms are available online.

Castlepalooza call for Short Films

Castlepalooza, which takes place in Tullamore from July 31st and August 1st, is looking for Short Films for the festival weekend!

The criteria for submissions are simple, all films must be less than 12 minutes long and the rest is up to you! All genres of film will be accepted, including drama, comedies, animation and everything else!

Selected films will be screened during the festival with prizes and an audience award for the best films, as selected by the festival attendees! One lucky filmmaker will leave the festival on a moped from UGO scooters!

The closing date for entries is 1st of July and selected filmmakers will be contacted no later than July 10th.

All selected filmmakers will receive two tickets to the festival and a chance to win one of the following prizes.
1st prize: UGO scooter worth €1,500.
2nd prize: Top of the range mobile phone.

All entries to be emailed to castleshorties@gmail.com
Or posted to:
Castle Shorties
Cherrycool Promotions,
13 Windsor Place,
Dublin 2

Belfast Film Festival Call for Volunteers

The Belfast Film Festival celebrates its 10th Birthday this year, and to mark this significant milestone the Festival will be extended to 16 days. The Festival kicks off on Thursday, April 15th and runs right through to Friday, April 30th.

The Festival will be packed with a bold mix of international and local film premieres, art-house and socio-political films, masterclasses and industry talks and events.

Highlights this year include a screening of Ken Wardrop's HIS & HERS, a beautifully told and magical documentary that features 90 different women of all ages, who collectively chronicle the magic of human life. It recently won the coveted World Cinema Documentary Award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. If you haven't seen it yet then definitely check it out!

The Festival has also just launched a call for volunteers. To find out more please click on the link: Belfast Film Festival

Aesthetica Short Film Competition

Aesthetica is looking for filmmakers who are driving the genre of short film forward through inspirational and innovative works. Whether you are fresh out of film school or have been making films for years, it wants to hear from you. It will accept films in all genres: drama, documentary, music video, satire, comedy and artists' film.

The award offers winners and runners-up a fantastic prize package, bringing films to a wider audience.

Prizes
- Screenings of your film at: The National Media Museum (Bradford), Rushes Soho Shorts Film Festival (London), Glasgow Film Festival and on the Aesthetica website, Kerry Film Festival
- £500 first prize, £250 runner-up.
- 12 months membership with Shooting People.
- Collection of film books from Wallflower Press.
- Winner and 10 runners-up to be included on a DVD that will go to all Aesthetica readers.

Entry
Films can be up to 20 minutes long. For more information please log onto www.aestheticamagazine.com

Kerry Film Festival Issues Call for Entries

Decaln Cassidy's WHATEVER TURNS YOU ON

Winner of Best Irish Short KFF 2008

The Samhlaiocht Kerry Film Festival, which is celebrating ten years of bringing film to the people of Kerry, has issued a call for entries for the Kerry Film Festival 2009, which runs from October 31st to November 7th.

"The Kerry Film Festival is committed to playing a leading role in providing a forum for emerging talent in film," said Jason O' Mahony, Director of the Kerry Film Festival. "This dedication is evidenced by both the quality of the films screened and the prizes on offer, with a top cash prize of 5,000 euro for KFF's Best Director, as well as a number of prizes in other categories including Best Irish Short, Best International Short, Best Documentary Short and Best Animated Short."

All prizes including Best Director will be selected by a jury of internationally renowned film professionals. Past adjudicators of the Kerry Film Festival Short Film Competition have included such luminaries as Liam Neeson, Jim Sheridan, Neil Jordan and Gabriel Byrne.

When asked what makes KFF special O, Mahony said, "I think having so many of the filmmakers on hand to speak about their films and their creative journey ensures a rewarding film festival experience for both the filmmaker and the audience. One of the advantages of KFF, I suppose, is that it's such an intimate little festival but the quality of the films and quality of the adjudicators consistently punches above its weight."

While the main focus of the festival will continue to be on shorts, this year sees an extension of the programme. "Last year was our most successful Festival so far," said O' Mahony. "We screened more films to more people in more venues that ever before and this year we're hoping to top that!" The 2009 edition of the Festival will see an expansion of the feature programme which proved so successful in 2008, KFF 2009 will also see more Education screenings, more active retired screenings and a larger workshop programme.

For more information on the Kerry Film Festival or to download application forms please log on to www.kerryfilmfestival.com

Rushes Film Festival Call for Entries

The entry form for this year' Rushes Soho Shorts Festival can now be downloaded at www.sohoshorts.com

The festival celebrates the previous year's best director in each of the six competition categories Short Film, Animation, Documentary, Music Video, Newcomer and Broadcast Design.

2009 includes additional out-of-competition programmes highlighting work from abroad along with numerous guest programmes showcasing amazing work produced in the UK and overseas. These include experimental film programmes, commissioned music videos from the BBC and RADAR, independent shorts from Australia, competition entries from 'straight 8', award programmes from Think Sync, commissioned short science films, commissioned documentaries, the list goes on. You can download the 2008 festival brochure from the website (go to the Previous Years pages).

The 10 day event will also see a large range of seminars, lectures, networking events, receptions, Bar-B-Q's, boat parties and live music performances with yet more events being planned for the Autumn. In 2008, post festival, the finalist's films and selections of work from the festival shortlist were screened not only to Ad agencies, festivals and film organisations in London but also at events in Denmark, Australia, USA, Turkey, and Jersey (to name a few).

"We've been very lucky to have such great support over the last decade and we're very excited by the possibilities presenting themselves for the coming year and the years ahead. We're planning the usual guest programmes, lunchtime seminars and late afternoon panels for 2009, if anyone is interested in getting involved it'd be great to hear from them" commented Joe Bateman, Festival Director.

The festival provides many programmes and events for free, intending to encourage, inspire and promote talented filmmakers to the public and the huge number of production companies and creative organisations in and around London and the UK.

It's free to enter, just send in your film on DVD along with an entry form to:

Rushes Soho Shorts, 66 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4UH, UK.

Films can be submitted up until 23^rd April with the shortlisted films being announced early June and the full programme available from 1^st July.

The festival will open on Wednesday 22^nd July and will culminate, as is tradition, with the Rushes Awards hosted by Terry Christian on Thursday 30^th July 2009.

Further Information can be found at www.sohoshorts.com

Casting Call for Kenmare

A casting agency is casting a drinks advert in Kenmare on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th of July. There may be call backs on Saturday 26th July TBC. The venue will is Brook Lane Hotel, Kenmare. The shoot dates are the August 19th and 20th, so please ensure you are free for those dates if go for the audition!!

Please call Gillian on 087 261 9718 to book audition times.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Everybody in the commercial must be over the age of 25 and must look like they are over the age of 25.

Background:
Set in rural Ireland the commercial is full of rustic, earthy, rugged values. The market for this commercial is central and eastern Europe, so there is no harm in playing on an idealised notion of Ireland. The characters that populate the commercial should be real. There should be an authenticity to them. Like in a traditional, rural Irish pub.

Types:
Old guys propping up the bar (every night in their usual seats), supping a pint and telling long tales.
Younger, rustic types who have made a conscious decision to step out of the urban rat race.
Middle-aged couples from both rural and civil service backgrounds who have lived in the area all their lives.
Young ones from the area who call in for the music, the craic and a bit of flirting.
Local musicians who love to come and play the odd session more for their own gratification than any reward that might be in it.
Local businessmen and their wives whom have made it good in their own area.

All in all a fairly mixed bag of personalities and characters who simply enjoy a night in the local having the craic! Although they may all be from different backgrounds, interests and age groups, they just seem to merge into one melting pot of authentic characters.