Friday night is FEATURE night! - The Isle of Man Film Festival

All this week (3rd – 7th Sept) we’ll be announcing another guest or another event at this Film Festival. Today we can announce that we’re kicking off the festival in fine style!

Isle of Man Film presents ‘The Heart of Me’ special Q&A Screening, with Producer Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures. Details from IOM Film below…

Award-winning film and TV producer Pope is to be special industry guest at the opening night of the 2012 Isle of Man Film Festival, held at the Broadway Cinema Douglas. On Friday 14th September at 7.30pm there will a special Q&A screening of “The Heart of Me”, produced by Martin and which was filmed between London and the Isle of Man in 2001.

A brooding period drama starring Paul Bettany, Helena Bonham-Carter and Olivia Williams, the film screening will be followed by a question and answer session

with the visiting producer. As well as discussing The Heart of Me, Martin will be giving advice to audience filmmakers about producing films in general and gaining vital career experience in the UK film industry.

Martin has unparalleled expertise in utilising the Isle of Man as a film location and production base. From humble beginnings as a runner at the BBC Martin is now a highly experienced film craftsman with a diverse range of award-winning films. His projects range from the Daniel Craig-narrated nature documentary One Life and the TV adaptation of children’s favourite The Gruffalo to the Oscar nominated Chico & Rita, which trained and employed ten animators in the Isle of Man.

The Heart of Me is now in its tenth anniversary and is widely regarded as a modern classic. Michael O’Sullivan of the Washington Post calls the film “..a little, heartbreaking gem”. Hilary Dugdale, manager of Isle of Man Film said:

“I am delighted that Martin is able to join us at this year’s festival and share some of his experience and advice to aspiring filmmakers in the Isle of Man. Martin’s skill as a producer is second-to-none and it was a hard choice as to which of his films to revisit as this year’s festival. The Heart of Me is a great study in what can be achieved on the Island in terms of exterior locations, set-build and quality production design.”

Tickets for the event are just £5 (or £12 for the entire Film Fest weekend). Will be available from Villa Box Office next week.