Good news from France where Billy O’Brien’s Irish/US co-produced horror I Am Not A Serial Killer has won at the Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival, taking the Silver Méliès prize for best film.
The film is an adaptation of Dan Wells’ novel I Am Not a Serial Killer, and follows a 15-year-old who is a diagnosed sociopath. Due to being plagued by constant homicidal urges, he lives by a set of rules designed to keep his violent impulses in check.
The film, which shot in Minnesota last year, features Max Records (Where The Wild Things Are) in the lead, alongside Christopher Lloyd (Back To The Future), and Laura Fraser (Breaking Bad). Nick Ryan of Irish production company Floodland Pictures produces, with John McDonnell and Ruairi Robinson executive producers. The Tea Shop and Film Company’s James Harris and Mark Lane also produce. Financing comes from the Irish Film Board, Quickfire Films, and The Fyzz Facility. Acclaimed cinematographer Robbie Ryan acts as director of photography on the film, with Starred Up‘s Nick Emerson as editor. Post-production was handled by EGG Post in Dublin.
The win means that IANASK is now in competition for the Golden Méliès, a pan-European prize awarded by the European Fantastic Films Festivals federation. This year this ceremony will take place at the Lund International Fantastic Film Festival, Sweden in October.
Commenting on the win the Strasbourg jury said:
The ending was wonderfully brave, we loved it. We were glad it wasn’t a monster that just jumped out and killed people and above all we loved the mise en scène of the film.
I Am Not A Serial Killer will play at the BFI London Film Festival next month, before returning home for its Irish premiere. Details on that premiere, and on the film’s domestic release, will be announced soon.