Two Irish feature films and a British production directed by an Irish film-maker have been selected for screening next month in the Director's Fortnight, one of the three principal sections of the Cannes Film Festival, writes Michael Dwyer.
Given its world premiere at the Dublin Film Festival last Sunday night, The Last September, adapted by John Banville from the novel by Elizabeth Bowen, is among the choices. Directed by Deborah Warner, the film features Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Fiona Shaw and Keeley Hawes.
Set to receive its world premiere in Cannes is Agnes Browne, Anjelica Huston's film of the Brendan O'Carroll novel, The Mammy. In addition to directing the film, Ms Huston also takes the leading role of a widow in 1960s Dublin.
The Irish director, Damien O'Donnell will be in Cannes with his first feature film, East is East, the story of a Pakistani immigrant family in the north of England in the early 1970s.
Sean McGuire's The Good Son, a short film from Northern Ireland, has been chosen to compete in the International Critics' Week section at Cannes.
Meanwhile, Atom Egoyan's film of the William Trevor novel, Felicia's Story, filmed in Co Cork and England, has been selected for the official competition at Cannes.
The 52nd Cannes Film Festival opens on May 12th.