Longford GAA film set for big US premiere

'Lakelands' was filmed on location in Granard and the surrounding areas and the film co-directors are Patrick McGivney and Robert Higgins.

Robert tweeted, "Very excited to announce ‘Lakelands’ will have its US premiere as part of the @SBIFF next month." He added, "When we were making the film we always hoped it would travel, so we are very grateful to have its first international outing at this great festival."

'Lakelands' had its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh last July where it won Best Irish film and the Bingham Ray New Talent award. The latter award went jointly to 'Lakelands’ two lead actors, Éanna Hardwicke and Danielle Galligan.

The 2023 Santa Barbara International Film Festival will honour some of the biggest stars in the world of film.  On February 16 at Arlington Theatre the Cinema Vanguard Award will see Irish duo Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson honoured. 

Jamie Lee Curtis will receive the Maltin Modern Master Award, with the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award going to Cate Blanchett. 

'Lakelands' is produced by Robert and Patrick McGivney for Harp Media. Chris Higgins and Andrei Bogdan are co-producing, with Patrick O’Neill from Wildcard as executive producer and Niamh Fagan as executive producer for Screen Ireland. The film is made with funding from Screen Ireland, Creative Ireland, Longford Arts Office and Backstage Theatre.