Upcoming Workshops
In celebration of IFTUK's St Brigid's Festival 2025, for the January 2025 Masters At Work in partnership with the Century Club, we will be meeting three prolific female filmmakers; Maeve Murphy, Julie Baines & Farah Abushwesha. These three incredible women are at the coalface of independent Film & TV Production and will be sharing their stories of how they put together their productions in a competitive and challenging market.
In 2020, Belfast born Maeve Murphy’s feature film, "SILENT GRACE", was placed at no 38 in the Irish Times list of the "50 Greatest Irish Films Ever Made”. She is the writer director of three acclaimed feature films, all of which have been awarded at several international film festivals, including Cannes, where “SILENT GRACE" won the Soka Art Award. Her short film "SUSHI" won The Sub-ti and Venice Days International short film award at the Venice Film Festival. She was the recipient of Best Film at the London Independent Film Festival for “BEYOND THE FIRE” as well as the Independent Spirit Award in Monaco for “TAKING STOCK” and the President’s Award at the Sochi Film Festival for SIOBHAN. Her first novella, serialised in The Irish Times is currently in development with Screen Ireland, as the feature film “ST PANCRAS SUNRISE”, with Jim Sheridan acting at the executive producer. In 2024 the short film ST PANCRAS SUNRISE won Best International Short at the Silicon Beach Festival as well as Best Short at the City of Angels Film Festival in L.A., as well as an Honourable Mention at the London Breeze Film Festival.
Julie Baines has been producing independent film & TV for 30 years and is highly regarded for her many international co-productions. Her projects span all genres and budget levels, from period biopic THE CAT’S MEOW directed by Peter Bogdanavich, to London set horror film CREEP. She produced the debut feature of Director Michael Winterbottom, Writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, BUTTERFLY KISS, and the final film by the late Nicolas Roeg, PUFFBALL, adapted from the novel by Fay Weldon. She produced FOUR KIDS AND IT, inspired by Jacqueline Wilson’s ‘Four Children and It’, for a family audience which was the biggest Sky Original family movie of 2020, the thriller SOMETHING IN THE WATER with Studio Canal, and has just delivered the Irish television series VIDEO NASTY which airs on the BBC and Virgin Media Ireland in January. She regularly mentors new Producers, Directors and Writers and guest lectures on various courses, in particular at the National Film and Television School (NFTS). She is Co-Chair of the PACT Film Producers Group and a member of PACT Council.
Previous Workshops
MASTERS AT WORK: STEVEN GREENFIELDS AND PETER CURRAN OPEN THE STORY VAULTS OF VISIONARY PRODUCER, STEPHEN WOOLLEY
On Friday, 4th October, IFTUK welcomed Stephen Woolley to a record crowd at the wonderful Century Club, hosted by former colleague and Vice Chair of IFTUK, Steven Greenfields, and interviewed by BBC Radio 4 presenter and IFTUK director, Peter Curran, with stories, smiles, lessons and laughs aplenty.
As well as several insights into his famous partnership with legendary Irish director, Neil Jordan, from the financing of their first film “The Company of Wolves” to the casting of "Mona Lisa" and "Michael Collins", Stephen had us all in raptures with tales from his own journey from cinema usher to chair of Bafta.
This was the first of a two part production, the second part to be announced in IFTUK's programme for The Irish Film Festival 13-17 November, coming soon…
“That was a great talk tonight…” - Maeve Murphy, writer and director
“An amazing evening… Stephen Woolley was an inspiration. I loved listening to his journey.” - Breandán O’Connor, actor and singer
“So generous with his thoughts and experience…” - Paul McQuaid, actor
“Very rewarding masterclass today. Thanks to you and all at IFTUK.” - Eugene Doyen, Senior Lecturer in Film Practice
MASTERS AT WORK: NICOLA WADDELL MEETS JOHN NOLAN
On the 17th September, IFTUK's Director of Sponsorship and veteran Show Runner & Executive Producer, Nicola Waddell, chatted with Global Industry Funding Expert, John Nolan, on the important subject of finding the money for Film & TV production.
A lively Q & A and networking followed, as the audience heard how productions such as “Tell them you love me!” with Sky, “The Masked Singer” with ITV, “Let’s Dance!” with RTL, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” with ABC, “I am Ruth”, “Help!” and “Frank of Ireland” reached our screens.
“So informative! John was incredibly generous with his time and knowledge. Though some of it was very eye opening and a little daunting it did not strip us of the hope that a great, though provoking, entertaining, innovative idea could find its way in this industry against the odds.” - Tracy Coogan
“Very good event last night. It covered a big gap in my knowledge of the funding process today.” - Eugene Doyen, Senior Lecturer Film Practice
“Thanks for inviting us to the excellent event on Tuesday – we enjoyed it very much. ” - Tatevik Ayvazyan
"John ‘can-you-see-it-on-the-side-of-a-bus’ Nolan generously and candidly tackled the business of funding with gentle humour and razor sharp insights, stuff you can’t just pick up. Brilliant." - Joyce Greenaway (Writer-performer-creator WHISK(E)Y WARS)
MASTERS AT WORK: Tara Gaule, James Braham & Joel Atley
Another packed MASTERS AT WORK was enjoyed by all at the Century Club this July. IFTUK’s Director of Television, Tara Gaule, had a lively & entertaining conversation with James Braham (former Vice President of Endemol Shine) and Joel Atley (Commercial Director at Hello Deer Productions).
The three Global TV Industry Legends shared their knowledge and experiences working on titles such as Father Ted, David Attenborough’s Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Luther, Sherlock, Death in Paradise, Wife Swap, The Inbetweeners, Kitchen Nightmares, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Doc Martin, amongst others.
Followed by an animated Q & A and Networking, the evening was an enormous success.
Photography by Bea Cook
“It was so interesting to hear how the business side of the television industry works, I will now be better prepared when pitching my projects in future.” - Sadbh Lyons, Screenwriter
“I love Masters At Work. I have been to all three so far and all have been totally different and equally fascinating. It’s great to see how IFTUK is expanding. I am looking forward to the next one.” - Jack Irwin, Actor
“This is the first time I’ve attended this event, please invite me to the next one as I’ve learned a lot and met some really interesting people this evening.” - Lorna O’Sullivan, Executive P.A.
David Arnold Interview with Peter Curran
On Friday 28th June, BBC Radio 4 Presenter, Peter Curran, interviewed the Grammy-winning Irish composer and musician, David Arnold, who thrilled the audience by sharing his insights on a creative life in the music, film, theatre & TV industries. David’s credits include scoring five James Bond films alongside acclaimed scores for Stargate, Independence Day, Zoolander, and the tv series’ Sherlock and Good Omens to mention a few.
Photographer Ajay Chowdhury
"David Arnold's conversation with the excellent Peter Curran was part of IFTUKs 'Masters At Work' was breezy and bright. From Luton to Los Angeles, the 2012 Olympics to 007 via Van Morrison, Don Black, Scott Walker and Sammy Kahn, Arnold was unpretentious yet enlightening." - Ajay Chowdhury, co-author Some Kind of Hero: The Remarkable Story of the James Bond Films & global spokesperson for The James Bond International Fan Club
"It was an absolute pleasure to hear the stories, process and inspirations behind some of the greatest scores, themes and songs by prolific ( 5 Bond movies, Sherlock , Zoolander he’s done it all) composer, musician and great raconteur, David Arnold. Once again, hosted with wit and charm by BBC Radio’s Peter Curran . Thanks IFTUK for the invite. Looking forward to your next event." - Bunmi Akintonwa, Producer, Writer & Diversity Consultant
"Thank you IFTUK for a lovely evening, we found it to be insightful and the anecdotes were source a of discussion and left food for thought. " - Tania Freimuth, Cinematographer
VERDIGRIS, A CASE STUDY
On the 18th June in partnership with Wise Women and from the Wise Women Platform, Patricia Kelly (writer/producer/director), Geraldine McAlinden (lead actress) & Tania Freimuth (Director of Photography) shared their experiences on how they managed to create the multi-award-winning Irish feature film. With 5 IFTA Nominations, 9 Major Festival prizes and 10 Festival selections to date, the audience was thrilled to hear how this ground breaking film is taking the world by storm.
“What an inspiring story! This workshop was entertaining and enlightening. Congratulations to all involved.” - Siobhan Murphy, Executive P.A.
“Such an interesting evening, it has spurred me on to follow my dream of making my debut film.” - Aoife O’Sullivan, Writer
“I’m a big fan of Irish Film and it was great to hear the process involved in making and marketing an independent film.” - Lynne Raimbault, CEO, Picnics & Vines
MASTERS AT WORK: Adam Gee & Peter Curran
On April 23rd, BBC Radio Four Presenter Peter Curran met Adam Gee, Emmy and 6-time BAFTA winning producer and commissioning editor. Adam's latest feature documentary is ‘The Pilgrimage of Gilbert & George’, going out on Sky in May. His most recent scripted project is futuristic drama on which his fellow producers were Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Besides film and television, he has been a pioneer in digital and interactive media, with expertise ranging from multiplatform TV to AI. Adam has commissioned at Channel 4, Little Dot Studios, Red Bull Media and CAA (Creative Artists Agency).
Joe Comerford Career Interview
Sunday 19 November. Location: Century Club, 61-63, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6LQ.
BBC Radio 4 Broadcaster Peter Curran will interview the legendary filmmaker, Joe Comerford.
As an independent filmmaker in Ireland, Joe Comerford has spent more than 50 years giving a voice to marginalised people in Irish society. With a social conscience admirably evident, his work remains compelling and relevant. As his films have been made available again via IFI’s International portal and ahead of a rare cinema screening of the digitally restored Reefer and the Model at the Festival, this year’s recipient of The Súil Eile Award acknowledging an outstanding contribution to the Irish film industry, this event sees Comerford reflect on a singular career and a striking body of work.
