The first feature film from the Cine4 initiative; a scheme created by TG4, Screen Ireland, and BAI to fund Irish language film-making, Finky, has been selected for the 2019 Galway Film Fleadh. The film has been hailed as a boldly original, stylish drama and it receives its World Premiere this evening in the Town Hall Theatre at the Galway Film Fleadh at 6pm.

In conjunction with this premier Cine4 (Round 4) was also announced. As with previous rounds there are certain criteria. The main criterion for round 4 is that the director must be female. This scheme is aimed at feature-length drama films (90 to 120 minutes). All information on the scheme is available on www.Cine4.ie

Announcing the new round TG4’s Ard-Stiúrthóir, Alan Esslemont says, “Since TG4 launched, drama in Irish has been at the heart of our vision for audiences and our drama producers have consistently won international and national awards. The continued growth of this important partnership scheme brings Irish language film-making to a new level which is evident with the premier of the scheme’s first film, Finky at Galway Film Fleadh, that TG4’s content is being brought into another home – the cinema.  For independent Irish producers it offers an opportunity to showcase their talent and skills at the highest level and we hope that the scheme will also open doors for them in the increasingly global audio-visual market for drama content.” 

Michael O’ Keeffe, Chief Executive, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, added, “The BAI is very pleased to continue its partnership with TG4 and Screen Ireland in supporting the Cine4 initiative. The scheme supports the development of high-quality Irish broadcast content and further strengthens the BAI’s commitment to foster, promote and increase the availability of quality Irish language programming to audiences. 

Finky has been described as a celebration of life, love, and death, and the transformative power of art. Co-written by Keane and Diarmuid de Faoite, the film tells the story of Micí Finky, a musician and puppeteer seeking to escape his past, who heads to Scotland with his childhood friend TomTom to start a new life. On their first night in Glasgow, Finky has an accident and is left paralysed from the waist down. He hits rock bottom, but is given a chance at redemption when he is recruited by Carnival Chaotica, an avant-garde circus troupe. As his journey becomes increasingly hellish and surreal, Finky realises that he must confront his tormented past if he is to ever find peace.

Speaking about the selection, Director Dathaí Keane said: I’m delighted to be premiering ‘Finky’ at the Galway Film Fleadh. It’s an honour to be selected as I’m from Galway and grew up going to the Fleadh and it’s a great festival. Finky is a very personal film so I’m looking forward to sharing it with an audience for the first time. Many of our cast and crew also hail from the West so it really is the perfect place to launch the film.

Images from premier available from Seán Ó Mainnín 087-2220241

More Information:
Linda Ní Ghríofa, (087)9172864, linda.ni.ghriofa@tg4.ie