Behind the camera, the brightest Irish talent discovered here this year has been director Damien O'Donnell, whose first feature, East is East, a serious comedy dealing with a Pakistani family in early 1970s Manchester, has been one of the biggest festival hits. It has been snapped up by distributors, including the mighty Miramax which paid $2 million for the US and Australian rights.
Damien was on a natural high all through the boisterous beach party for his film, which continued until the early hours. Given that the movie's Pakistani paterfamilias is a chip shop owner, the fare was fish and chips, with a variety of liquids to wash them down. Two days later the Hollywood Reporter trade paper proclaimed Damien "the early frontrunner to take the Camera d'Or," the award for the best first-time director.
Among the happiest guests at his party were Jane Doolan and Niamh McCaul from the Dublin-based Clarence Pictures, who are looking forward to releasing both East is East and Felicia's Journey in Ireland in the autumn.