Small Things wins big Irish Award

 

Small Things Like These, an Irish drama starring Cillian Murphy as a coal merchant and father haunted by secret abuses in a local convent sanctioned by the Catholic Church, beat out Kneecap, the hip-hop comedy featuring Michael Fassbender, to win the best film award at the Irish Film & Television Awards in Dublin on Friday. 

Saoirse Ronan won two awards (lead actress for her role in The Outrun and the supporting actress  for Blitz). Murphy won the best actor IFTA for h Small Things Like These. Demi Moore (The Substance) and Ralph Fiennes (Conclave) were honoured in the international acting categories, and Colin Farrell (The Penguin) and Sharon Horgan (for writing Bad Sisters) earned TV:  statuettes.

Best Film: Small Things Like These
Director – Film: Rich Peppiatt – Kneecap
Script – Film: Enda Walsh – Small Things Like These
Lead Actor – Film: Cillian Murphy – Small Things Like These
Lead Actress – Film: Saoirse Ronan – The Outrun
Supporting Actor – Film: Brían F. O’byrne – Conclave
Supporting Actress – Film: Saoirse Ronan – Blitz
Best Drama – TV:  Bad Sisters
Director, Drama – TV:  Dearbhla Walsh – Bad Sisters
Script, Drama – TV: Sharon Horgan – Bad Sisters
Lead Actor, Drama – TV: Colin Farrell – The Penguin
Lead Actress, Drama – TV:  Lola Petticrew – Say Nothing
Supporting Actor, Drama – TV:  Tom Vaughan-Lawlor – Say Nothing
Supporting Actress, Drama – TV:  Hazel Doupe – Say Nothing
Best International Film: Conclave
Best International Actor: Ralph Fiennes – Conclave
Best International Actress: Demi Moore – The Substance
George Morrison Feature Documentary: The Flats
Live-Action Short Film: Clodagh
Animated Short Film: Dembaya
Casting: Kneecap – Carla Stronge
Cinematography: Bird – Robbie Ryan
Costume Design: Kneecap – Zjena Glamocanin
Production Design:  Abigail – Susie Cullen
Hair & Makeup: The Apprentice – Sandra Kelly, Tom Mcinerney
Sound: Oddity – Aza Hand, Hugo Parvery
Original Music: Fréwaka – Die Hexen
Editing: Kneecap – Julian Ulrichs & Chris Gill
VFX: Shogun – Ed Bruce, Andrew Barry
Rising Star: Anthony Boyle (Actor – Say Nothing, Masters Of The Air, House Of Guinness, Manhunt)

 

Lawsuit threat to Superman

 A new lawsuit threatens to disrupt the release of director James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman film this summer. Gunn, best known for directing Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, now co-leads DC Studios at Warner Bros. Alongside producer Peter Safran, he is spearheading a reboot of the DC Universe, with Superman as its centrepiece. However, the estate of one of the superhero’s co-creators has thrown a spanner in the works.

According to Deadline, Joseph Shuster’s estate has filed a lawsuit in New York, claiming Warner Bros. doesn’t have the rights to release Superman in the UK, Canada, Ireland, and Australia. Mark Warren Peary, executor of the estate, is seeking damages and an injunction against alleged infringement, arguing that copyright in these nations should have reverted to the estate.

The lawsuit alleges that, under copyright laws in Commonwealth countries, Shuster’s rights should have been reinstated 25 years after his death in 1992. Warner Bros. denies the claims, stating, “We fundamentally disagree with the merits of the lawsuit and will vigorously defend our rights.”

Legal battles over Superman have persisted for decades. In 2009, Siegel’s estate was awarded 50% of the character’s rights. With Superman being crucial to the new DC Universe, Warner Bros. may settle out of court to prevent delays. If unresolved, the legal battle could derail the release, whch is scheduled for 11 July..

Stars line up for Scott's pandemic thriller

 

Ridley Scott’s forthcoming pandemic thriller, The Dog Stars, is set to become a gripping cinematic experience with a cast featuring Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, and Jacob Elordi. The story follows a solitary civilian pilot living at an abandoned Colorado airbase with his loyal dog and a hardened ex-marine. Their secluded life is upended when a band of ruthless scavengers, known as The Reapers, invades their space, forcing Hig and his companions to prepare for a fierce battle.

Based on the 2012 novel by Peter Heller – also known for Burn, The River, The Painter, and The Last Ranger – the film initially saw Gladiator II star Paul Mescal attached to the project. However, scheduling conflicts with his role as Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ Beatles anthology led to his withdrawal.

Screenwriter Mark L. Smith, celebrated for The Revenant and American Primeval, is teaming up with Christopher Wilkinson to craft the screenplay. With Scott finishing his Bee Gees biopic You Should Be Dancing, he is now fully focused on shaping The Dog Stars into a thrilling, character-driven epic.

Shonda resigns after Trump takeover

Acclaimed producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes has stepped down as treasurer of the Kennedy Center in Washington following Donald Trump's takeover of its board.

On Wednesday, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had been "unanimously" elected chairman of the U.S. national centre for performing arts. "It is a Great Honour to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center, especially with this amazing Board of Trustees. We will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!" he wrote.

His leadership began with the removal of several board members appointed by former President Joe Biden, along with long-time Kennedy Center president Deborah F. Rutter.

In response, Rhimes, known for Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and The Princess Diaries 2, confirmed her resignation. She shared a screenshot of the news on Instagram, quoting John F. Kennedy: “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”

Soprano Renée Fleming and singer-songwriter Ben Folds also resigned from their advisory roles.

On Monday, Trump appointed special missions envoy Richard Grenell as interim executive director of the Kennedy Center. In the announcement, the President criticised the centre's current slate of programming, saying:

"Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center. NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA - ONLY THE BEST. RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!"

The Kennedy Center's website is currently down due to "scheduled maintenance". 

Is this the new Dumbledore?

The Harry Potter franchise may have found its next Dumbledore – and he’s an American, the legendary John Lithgow, according to film industry rumours.

Originally, the part in the new Harry Potter series on America’s HBO network was expected to go to Mark Rylance, but he stepped down following the death of his wife. While Lithgow is distinctly American, his Shakespearean background and ability to bring gravitas (The Crown) and mischief (3rd Rock from the Sun) could make him a fascinating choice for Hogwarts’ beloved headmaster.

Some fans may be unhappy with a non-Brit taking on the iconic role that was first shepherded into our hearts by Richard Harris (HP 1-2) and then Michael Gambon (HP 3 - 8), especially in a series deeply rooted in British culture.

But Dumbledore has always been a character of wisdom, whimsy, and quiet authority—qualities Lithgow has mastered in TV roles like The Old Man and Dexter.

Transatlantic Film Festival at sea

The BFI (British Film Institute) and Cunard have announced the full programme for the inaugural Film Festival at Sea, a unique seven-day Transatlantic Crossing taking place on board the luxurious liner Queen Mary 2 from 8–15 March.

Sailing from Southampton to New York, the voyage offers guests an exclusive opportunity to explore the world of cinema through a curated programme of film-themed events, screenings and hands-on workshops, against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Festival will feature exclusive events with film industry talent including Mike Valentine, Paul Mayeda Berges and Gurinder Chadha, actress Miranda Richardson, Joy Moore and John Hay.

Programme highlights include award-winning actress Miranda Richardson reflecting on her celebrated career, as well as renowned cinematographer Mike Valentine (Casino Royale, No Time to Die) leading a talk on underwater cinematography. Filmmakers Gurinder Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges, the creative duo behind Bend It Like Beckham, will introduce a special screening of one of their most loved films.

Guests will also be treated to a performance of Posting Letters to the Moon by actors Simon Williams and Lucy Fleming, a show based on the wartime letters between the actress Celia Johnson and her husband, Peter Fleming.

The programme also features a series of creative and interactive workshops including scriptwriting, acting and smartphone filmmaking, as well as BFI-curated screenings, such as Powell and Pressburger’s I Know Where I’m Going!, restored by the BFI National Archive, and a lively film quiz celebrating cinematic history.

You can more about the Film Festival at Sea and book the voyage at https://www.bfi.org.uk/film-festival-sea. Fares start at £699 per person.