Irish Abroad: Irish Film Festival London announces Lenny Abrahamson as Patron

The Irish Film Festival London has announced that celebrated Irish director Lenny Abrahamson is their new Patron.

The multi-award winning Irish film director is well known for his films, Adam & Paul, Garage, What Richard Did and Frank. He has worked with major theatrical talents such as Brie Larson, Michael Fassbender, William H. Macy, Maggie Gyllenhall, Domhnall Gleeson, Pat Shortt and Jack Reynor.

Abrahamson’s current film Room was recently nominated for four Oscars, including one for him as Best Director. The film has already garnered rave reviews and the current total of accolades stands at 116 nominations and 60 wins from some of the world’s leading awards bodies including the Independent Spirit Awards, the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice, Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA.

Abrahamson has his pick of next projects, as he is currently attached to an adaptation of Laird Hunt’s Civil War novel Neverhome; an adaptation of Sarah Waters’ The Little Stranger with Frank star Domhnall Gleeson; and a biography of boxer Emile Griffith, based on the book A Man’s World: The Double Life Of Emile Griffith. Abrahamson will also direct some episodes of the new Hulu television series Chance, starring Hugh Laurie.

[quote title=”Kelly O’Connor – Festival Director”]We couldn’t be happier for Lenny as he receives this well deserved international appreciation. We love Lenny’s work and have had the privilege of screening all of his films over the years. After our preview screening of ‘Room’ at our most recent festival last November, he enchanted our audience with a live full screen Skype Q&A at the Rio Cinema in Dalston.He has always been very supportive of us and we are thrilled to welcome him on board as a Patron.[/quote]

Abrahamson’s work has been described as “drily funny, inquisitive, and plangent”. By tackling subjects such as loneliness, isolation and morality in an honest and unflinching manner, he very quickly captured the film world’s attention. His filmography is devoured by film students and aficionados internationally.

[quote title=”Lenny Abrahamson”]I am a big fan of the festival and the opportunities they’re providing for Irish filmmakers in the UK. They are bringing the best of contemporary Irish film to audiences in London and I’m proud to be a part of what they’re accomplishing.[/quote]

Abrahamson joins London-based casting director Ros Hubbard who is also a Patron of the festival.

Irish Film London is now entering its 6th year, and has exciting plans for 2016.

2016 Plans

Among Irish Film London’s plans for 2016 is the UK arm of the global screening of 1916, The Rebellion, a newly commissioned documentary to be streamed live from the National Concert Hall on 16th March.

The event, hosted in Dublin by Liam Neeson will include music from the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and the president Michael D. Higgins as the guest of honour.

The London screening will be run by Irish Film London in collaboration with the Embassy of Ireland and will take place at BAFTA on Weds 16th March, 2016.

This event will be invite only, but there will be a second screening at the Photographer’s Gallery on Weds 23rd March at 7pm.

This time the screening will be accompanied by a Q&A with Bríona Nic Dhiarmada, the project’s originator, writer and producer. She will discuss the journey of making the film, from painstaking archive footage control to working with Liam Neeson on the voice-over.

Irish Film London will also be screening a number of brand new Irish films, including a preview screening of John Carney’s Sing Street as part of the London St. Patrick’s Festival in collaboration with the Mayor of London’s office on Sunday 13th March at a central London cinema.

If you have a short film you’d like to submit for this St. Patrick’s event, visit the Irish Film London website for submission rules. The deadline is 1st March.

For more information on Irish Film London check out their website, Twitter, and Facebook.