An award-winning film by acclaimed Dublin playwright Conor McPherson will be among a raft of Irish productions showcased at the Cannes Film Festival this week.
The Eclipse, which scooped the best actor award at New York's prestigious Tribeca Film Festival, will be one of 15 Irish movies on the market for distributors at the top event.
More than 150 top industry insiders will also fly to the south of France to promote and sell the best of home-grown talent.
Louise Ryan, Irish Film Board's Marketing and Communications Executive, said the annual gathering was a key networking opportunity.
"The Cannes Film Festival and market is the largest and most important film market in the world, to source finance for their upcoming feature films," Ms Ryan said.
"The market provides an opportunity for Irish producers to meet with international film financiers, sales agents and film distributors.
"This year there will be a very strong line-up of Irish films in the market with 15 films selling there, showcasing a wealth of Irish talent."
Set during a literary festival in the seaside town of Cobh,
The Eclipseis the story of a recent widower who is trying to adjust to his role as the sole carer of his two young children, but is increasingly haunted by frighteningly real nightmares.
The festival, which runs until May 24th, is one of the most important film festivals and markets in the world.
Musician David Holmes will be performing at a special Irish party next weekend, which will be attended by a raft of international film producers, film festival programmers, sales agent and talent spotters.
Other Irish films on show include
Wide Open Spaces, starring Ardal O'Hanlon — a new film from the
Father Tedwriter Arthur Matthews.
Triagestaring Colin Farrell, Perrier's Bounty starring Cillian Murphy and Jim Broadbent, and Brendan Gleeson's
Ondine, directed by Neil Jordan, will also be in the spotlight.
The Irish Pavilion in Cannes is the central point for the Irish presence at the festival, promoting Irish film and Ireland as a film location.
PA