Colin Farrell - Irish Film Festival London Patron

#Festival: Colin Farrell named patron of the Irish Film Festival London

Colin Farrell, the critically acclaimed and Golden Globe award winning Irish actor best known for his iconic lead roles in In Bruges and Intermission among an extensive list of more than 50 film and television credits, has joined Irish Film London as a Patron.

Irish Film London, which is now in its eighth year, supports the promotion of Irish film and animation across the UK and its annual five-day Irish Film Festival London will take place from 21-25 November at the Regent Street Cinema.

Dubliner Farrell was first attracted to acting when Henry Thomas’s performance in Steven Spielberg’s E.T.moved him to tears. Irish Film London’s original patron, casting director Ros Hubbard, took him under her wing and soon he landed his first role, as Danny Byrne in the popular BBC TV drama Ballykissangel. 20 years and 45 films later, Farrell is one of Ireland’s top male international exports, alongside Liam Neeson and Michael Fassbender.

Once described as “some kind of irresistible untamed creature”, the Irish actor has proved capable of refining this irreverent energy into magnificent performances time and again. Testament to that he has worked with many of the industry’s leading directors including Neil Jordan, Steven Spielberg, Martin McDonagh, Woody Allen, Yorgos Lanthimos, Sofia Coppola, and most recently Tim Burton.

Farrell joins Academy Award-nominated director Lenny Abrahamson and esteemed casting director Ros Hubbard, who are also Patrons of the Festival.

I am delighted to support the Irish Film Festival London and the great work that they do to champion Irish filmmakers and cinematic talent in the UK.

They give Irish talent the crucial opportunity to be seen on screen in one of the film industry’s most important cities, and I am proud to be a part of it.
Colin Farrell

Colin is such a warmly welcomed addition to our Irish Film London family. He has inspired a generation of Irish actors who are currently astonishing film audiences across the globe. His rise to Hollywood stardom, string of career successes and magnetic charisma have made him one of Ireland’s biggest icons. He is the perfect symbol of the best of the Irish abroad; hard working, discerning and still full of Irish charm! Kelly O’Connor, Founder and Programming Director – Irish Film London

To celebrate Farrell’s patronage, Irish Film London is presenting the Colin Farrell Fest: Deadly Double Bill of In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, at Regent Street Cinema, accompanied by a Q&A with Ros Hubbard, who first discovered the young Farrell in Dublin in 1998.

Thursday 20th September, 6pm: In Bruges, 8pm Q&A, 8.30pm Seven Psychopaths.

Tickets are on sale from www.regentstreetcinema.com

The announcement of Farrell’s patronage heralds the start of IFL’s busiest autumn/winter programme yet, with September already including special screenings of The Little Stranger, The Image You Missed, The Ballymurphy Precedent and Black 47.

The Irish Film London Awards will take place at the prestigious Ballroom at the Embassy of Ireland, in London’s Belgravia on Tuesday 13th November. All films selected for screening during the Irish Film Festival London, which takes place 21st-25th November, will be in the running for these awards.

Submissions are currently open for the 8th Irish Film Festival London, with the deadline of 14th September fast approaching. Film submissions, for eligible films with Irish connections can be made via FilmFreeway.