Irish Abroad: IFB funded Whit Stillman’s Love and Friendship selling in Berlin

UK sales agents Protagonist Pictures are in Berlin selling a new film from Last Days of Disco director Whit Stillman. The film titled Love and Friendship is based on Stillman’s adaptation of the Jane Austen novella Lady Susan.

Actresses Kate Beckinsale and Chloe Sevigny reteam with Stillman, with Xavier Samuel and Stephen Fry onboard also. Filming is due to take place in Ireland later this year.

What makes it more interesting from an Irish perspective is the fact that Katie Holly and Kieron J. Walsh’s production company Blinder Films is onboard as producer and the Irish Film Board has awarded €250,000 in funding so far.

The novella on which the film is based is an early complete work that Austen never submitted for publication, that describes the schemes of the main character, the widowed Lady Susan, as she seeks a new husband for herself and one for her daughter.

In addition to Blinder Films, Love and Friendship is produced by Westerly Films in association with Chic Films and Revolver Films, with funding from Arte and the Netherlands Film Fund.