MY CREATIVE CALLING CARD & RELATIONSHIP WITH FILM: Former Recipients of Northern Ireland Screen’s New Writer and New Talent Focus Scheme, in conversation with actor, Martin McCann.

Spotlight

TIME & LOCATION

Thursday 14 November, 2:30 pm

End Time: 3:30 pm

The Factory

About

Creativity goes hand in hand with relationships in this industry. Good relationships can help your creative ideas travel nationally and internationally. But how do you go global? Well, you need a calling card. Northern Ireland Screen promotes the development of a sustainable film, animation and television production industry. To do this, development must start from the inception and conception – with an idea and words on a page. Come and listen to three local filmmakers who cover each corner of the creative triangle – writing, directing, and producing. Supported through NI Screen’s New Writer and New Talent Focus Scheme, they will be joined by Scripted Content Manager, Ursula Devine, and in conversation with Belfast actor and writer, Martin McCann. With a network to develop, learn, showcase, and platform from, these creative’s stories made their way to cinema screens all around the world, but are still rooted in home.

Chair

Martin McCann

SPONSOR

Panel

Martin McCann (Chair)

Actor

Martin McCann is a Northern Irish actor, based in Belfast. He is best known for playing the role of Stevie Neil in series one and two of critically acclaimed BBC drama BLUE LIGHTS, created and written by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, and produced by Two Television and Gallagher Films. Series three shoots in 2025 and series four has already been commissioned. Marty is also known for MARCELLA (ITV), DEATH AND NIGHTINGALES (BBC), TEMPLE (Sky), THE FRANKENSTEIN CHRONICLES (ITV), and THE FALL (BBC), amongst others. He has appeared in films CALIBRE, directed by Matt Palmer, BAFTA nominated for Best Actor; HERE BEFORE, written and directed by Stacey Gregg; WILDFIRE, written and directed by Cathy Brady; THE SURVIVALIST, written and directed by Stephen Fingleton; LOST IN LONDON, written and directed by Woody Harrelson; and ’71, written by Gregory Burke and directed by Yann Demange.

Janine Cobain

Producer

Janine Cobain is a producer, based in Belfast. With a background in business and finance, she has produced content funded by Northern Ireland Screen, RTÉ and BBC, as well as national advertising campaigns. This year, Janine was Line Producer on WORLD-BREAKER, directed by Brad Anderson, starring Luke Evans and Milla Jovovich, which is currently in post production. In 2023, she co-produced SUNRISE directed by Andrew Baird, starring Guy Pearce and Alex Pettyfer, and OLD GUY directed by Simon West, starry Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu and Cooper Hoffman. In 2020, Janine produced her debut feature BLACK MEDICINE, written & directed by Colum Eastwood and supported by NI Screen’s New Talent Focus scheme.

Ursula Devine

Lead, Independent Film, Northern Ireland Screen

Ursula is the lead on Independent Film at Northern Ireland Screen and runs the scripted development of feature film, TV drama and comedy. Development and executive producer work includes: 71 (2014) BAFTA nominated, BAD DAY FOR THE CUT (2017, Sundance) BIFA nominated. THE DIG (2018, TIFF). ORDINARY LOVE (2019, TIFF), A BUMP ALONG THE WAY (2019, TIFF), BOYS FROM COUNTY HELL (2020, Tribeca), NIGHTRIDE (2021, TIFF) THE LAST RIFLEMAN (2023), IN THE LAND OF SAINTS AND SINNERS (2023). As well as Sundance and multi-award winner KNEECAP (2024).

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Lynne Davidson

Director

Lynne Davison is the breakout director of Shudder's original feature film, MANDRAKE. Following her passion and taste to create intelligent, gut-wrenching horror and sci-fi films, she has multiple genre projects in various stages of development. Lynne's sharp style, vision and dedication have been recognised in both European and North American markets. Selected for WFTV's coveted 2019 mentorship, Lynne developed her skills under the stewardship of Sarah Gavron, director of SUFFRAGETTE. Her debut feature and shorts have screened globally in the film festival circuit. With an extensive background working as crew on HBO, Universal Studios and BBC productions, Lynne has also completed the Directors Shadowing, Access Shorts, and New Writers Focus feature development programmes with Northern Ireland Screen and is a member of BAFTA Connect, WFTV, DirectorsUK, Cinesisters London, Primetime & BAFTA Crew 2017-2020. Lynne is represented by Matthew Dench at Dench Arnold.

SAM O’MAHONEY

Writer & Director

Sam is a Northern Irish writer and director, based in Belfast. His debut feature film THE WISE GUY, produced by Out of Orbit and Northern Ireland Screen, is currently on an international festival run and will be the closing night film of the Belfast Film Festival. Sam trained as an actor at LAMDA and worked extensively in theatre and television before returning, several years ago, to his first love, filmmaking. He has written and directed a number of award-winning short films and music videos alongside various commercials and short documentaries. Alongside his own work, he produces through his company, 2nd Part Productions. He has also directed a number of live multi-camera theatre broadcasts, including ROUGH GIRLS for the BBC. He is currently developing a number of projects. Sam is represented by Jasmine Daines Pilgrem at Lisa Richards Creatives.