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PRELUDE's Paul FitzSimons at EAVE 2025
PRELUDE's Paul FitzSimons is thrilled to be participating in this year's EAVE Producers' Workshop.
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Paul will be one of 56 producers and professionals from 38 countries to attend this year-long programme focused on professional development through working on the development of fiction, documentary and TV series projects.
"To be selected for EAVE is an absolute honour and a key forward-step in my producing career," Paul said. "I look forward to getting to meet and collaborate with these fantastic producers from around the world."
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The first workshop takes place March 7th to 14th in Luxembourg with 2 further workshops happening in Spain and Greece later in the year.
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Huge thanks to EAVE for inviting Paul to partcuipate and to Screen Ireland for helping to make it happen.
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VERDIGRIS enjoys Successful
Irish Cinema Release
VERDIGRIS has just enjoyed a super Irish cinema release in theatres in Dublin, Galway and Cork. Written and directed by Patricia Kelly, produced by Kelly and Prelude's Paul FitzSimons, the film captivated audiences with its emotional depth and compelling performances from its stars Geraldine McAlinden and Maya O’Shea.
Also featuring Killian Filan and Michael James Ford, VERDIGRIS drew critican praise for its storytelling and nuanced exploration of human connection. The film was warmly received during its screenings at The Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin, the Eye Cinema in Galway, and Omniplex cinemas in both Rathmines and Cork.
Verdigris's strong reception in these select locations marks a promising milestone for Irish independent cinema and for Patricia Kelly’s distinct voice as a filmmaker.
PRELUDE to produce Cork duo's short film
HALLUCINATION IN A MODERN WORLD
PRELUDE are delighted to announce that we will be producing Eoin Ó hAnnracháin and James Browne's short film
Hallucinating in a Modern World.
Written by Browne and Ó hAnnracháin, Hallucinating in a Modern World asks the question; when human consciousness creates the partner of our dreams can dating apps deliver a match? It will be directed by Eoin Ó hAnnracháin with James Browne playing the lead character Dave.
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“Eoin and James have struck up an exciting new writing partnership," said producer and head of Prelude Content Paul FitzSimons. "And we're delighted to be supporting them to bring their new work to the screen. I established Prelude to work with leading and emerging film industry crew and creative personnel and with the quality of James's and Eoin's first short The Fear, I am sure that this collaboration on Hallucinating in a Modern World is going to be another highlight of the festival circuit."
Writer and Actor James Browne added; “I’m always excited when I get the opportunity to work with Eoin, he creates a very special set where actors can flourish. The addition of Paul and Prelude Content will allow this film to reach the audience we wrote it for.”
Director Eoin Ó hAnnracháin said; “It is amazing to have the support of someone as experienced as Paul helping us bring our vision of Hallucinating to life. My collaboration with James has been the best working relationship of my career, and I couldn’t think of a better company than Prelude Content to be working with on our latest film. It is only a few months ago that we were sitting in a cinema celebrating the success of Verdigris, so to now be producing a film with Paul, and to be benefitting from his guidance and mentorship is invaluable. As the generation who experienced the explosion of the internet, and its now pervasive influence on society, it is going to be a lot of fun to explore the possible pitfalls and results of our overreliance on technology through this lighthearted short film.”
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Hallucinating in a Modern World will shoot in mid-February 2025 in and around Cork City.
PRELUDE at Australia's SCREEN FOREVER
PRELUDE's Paul FitzSimons was delighted to be invited by Screen Producers Ireland to be part of the Ireland Connect delegation to Screen Forever, Australia annual Film and TV industry conference.
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It was an amazing week of seminars, roundtables and meetings (and maybe a few parties) and chats with producers from every corner of Australia. Some proper collaborative chats were had and there's likely to be some Australian co-productions in Prelude's future.
Paul also enjoyed hanging out with his fellow Irish producers, Samson's Sam Atwell, Jac Kerrin from Rippleworld, Subotica's Aoife O’Sullivan, Cardel's Carla Mooney, Maggie Breathnach from Red Shoe, Shinawil's Mary Callery, Anna Mannion from TriMoon, and Shauna Keogh from The Empire Agency, as well as SPI's David Donoghue and honourary Irishman Simon Crowe.
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Huge thanks to Screen Producers Ireland, Screen Producers Australia and Screen Queensland, for making it happen.
See full details of Screen Forever and Ireland Connect here.
PRELUDE at Rotterdam Lab.
PRELUDE's Paul FitzSimons spent a few days in Rotterdam in January, when he attended the International Film Festival Rotterdam and took part in the festival's #RotterdamLab.
It was a superbly immersive, informative, inclusive and fun series of workshops, roundtables, debates and pitches. Paul got to meet and work with over 70 other fantastic producers and creatives from around the world.
Oh and there might have been some drinkin'.
VERDIGRIS Wins at Irish Film Festival London
Another trip for Team VERDIGRIS in November, to London this time, where the film had its UK Premiere at the Irish Film Festival London and film won the 'Best Feature Film' Award.
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IFFL ran from 15-19 November at London's Irish Centre in Camden and at the Vue cinemas in Leicester Square and Piccadilly where Verdigris screened on the Saturday night. Cast Geraldine McAlinden & Maya O'Shea, writer/director Patricia Kelly, producer Paul FitzSimons and cinematographer Tania Friemuth were there.
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Paul, Patricia and Tania attended the festival's awards ceremony at the Irish Embassy and Paul and Patricia accepted the Award for 'Best Feature Film'.​
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We were warmly welcomed by all at IFFL and the Edwardian Grafton Hotel.
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An amazing few days at IFFL and in London.
VERDIGRIS Wins Big at Newport Beach
It was a trip to California in October for Team VERDIGRIS, where the film had its North American Premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
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And the film won the 'Best Irish Film' Award at the festival.
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The festival ran from 12-19 October in Newport Beach, Orange County CA and Verdigris screened at the iconic Big Newport Multiplex. Cast Geraldine McAlinden & Maya O'Shea, writer/director Patricia Kelly and producer Paul FitzSimons travelled from Dublin and were joined by the film's composer Joe Conlan who lives in Seattle.
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We were warmly welcomed by the brilliant festival team, the VEA Marriott Hotel and the locals of Newport Beach.
A fantastic trip and we were honoured to come home with the award.
VERDIGRIS Wins Big at Fleadh!
We're delighted to announce that VERDIGRIS enjoyed a very successful Galway Film Fleadh, premiering at the Festival on 14th July and winning one of the festival's coveted awards.
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The film screened to packed house at Galway's iconic Town Hall Theatre on the Friday of the festival. And at Sunday's night's Awards Ceremony, it picked up the prize for Best Independent Film.
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“This is a very powerful film made possible by the sheer will of Patricia, myself and our fantastic cast and crew,” said Prelude Content's Paul FitzSimons. “It feels so fitting and right that it won the award for Best Independent Film.”
"Winning Best Independent Film at the Galway Film Fleadh is the most wonderful start to Verdigris's festival journey,” added writer/director Patricia Kelly. “We're really excited to see where our truly-indie film will travel."
VERDIGRIS to premier at Fleadh!
We're delighted to announce that VERDIGRIS will premier at the 35th Galway Film Fleadh! An amazing achievement for such a dedicated and trojan team of creatives, cast and crew and for the film's writer, director, editor and co-producer Patricia Kelly.
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The film will screen at Galway's iconic Town Hall Theatre on July 14th at 4.30pm, followed by interviews with producer Paul FitzSimons, writer/director Patricia Kelly, cinematographer Tania Friemuth and cast.
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The Film is also up for three of the festival's coveted awards, Best Irish Feature, Best First Irish Feature and the Bingham Ray Rising Star Award for star Maya O'Shea.
'VERDIGRIS' IS WRAPPED!
Feature Films
Following months of development (Patricia Kelly's fantastic script) preparation and fifteen very long days with a talented, determined and spirited team, our feature film VERDIGRIS is in the can.
We're now into post-production and look forward to transforming what we shot into an incredible film.
Verdigris is a MnáMná Films and Prelude Content production.
WRITER & DIRECTOR
Patricia Kelly
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CAST
Geraldine McAlinden, Maya O'Shea, Michael James Ford, Killian Filan, Sally Elsbury, Patricia Kelly, Andrew Kingston, Kyle Hixon, Leanne Bickerdike, Finn Kelly, Steven McKenna
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'LEFT HAND OF THE DEVIL' HEADING TO BRUSSELS FOR BIFFF
Feature Films
LEFT HAND OF THE DEVIL's world tour continues, following its recent trip to South Korea, with its invitation to attend BIFFF Project Market, at the 2022 Brussels International Fantastic Film in September.
The film will be pitched at an open pitching session at the festival and producer Paul FitzSimons and director Mutsumi Kameyama will meet leading producers and financiers of fantasy and horror films from around the world.
The next step closer to LEFT HAND OF THE DEVIL's going into production!
'LEFT HAND OF THE DEVIL' AT SOUTH KOREA'S BIFAN
Feature Films
LEFT HAND OF THE DEVIL participated in the NAFF Project Market at the 2022 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) in South Korea in early July.
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Attended by the film's director Mutsumi Kameyama (in person) and producer Paul FitzSimons (via Zoom), the film was pitched to producers, financiers and festivals from Asia, North American, Australia and Europe, all of whom responded very enthusiastically to the story and it's hero Cassandra.
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Look out for news of future partnerships coming out of BIFAN!
'LEFT HAND OF THE DEVIL' HEADING TO SOUTH KOREA FOR BIFAN
Feature Films
We are delighted to announce that our feature film LEFT HAND OF THE DEVIL has been selected for the NAFF Project Market, at the 2022 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) in Bucheon South Korea in July.
LEFT HAND OF THE DEVIL tells the story of Cassandra, a young black Irish woman living in Japan, who must learn Bojutsu so she can exact revenge on the vicious Yakuza crime-boss who cut off her arm and murdered her husband and son.
It is based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Victor Santos, whose previous work has been adapted into feature films for Netflix.
PRELUDE CONTENT TO PRODUCE HELEN ADAMS'S SHORT FILM 'BUTTERFLY MOUNTAIN'
Short Films
We're delighted to be working with writer Helen Adams on her short film Butterfly Mountain. It's already enjoyed great success as a script - Runner Up in the Catalyst International Film Festival Short Screenplay Award, a London Independent Story Prize Finalist and an Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival 48hr Film Competition Semi-Finalist.
We can't wait to get stuck in, working with Helen to transform this great script into a film.
