SDGI Announces KATIE as Winner for Finders Series 2018

 

The Screen Directors Guild of Ireland, in association with the Directors Guild of America, is delighted to announce the winner of the Directors Finders Series 2018 as Ross Whitaker. The Finder Series award presents a unique opportunity to spotlight an independent Irish director and their film. The SDGI will screen KATIE at the prestigious DGA Theatre on Sunset Boulevard on Friday, October 26.

 

The Directors’ Finder Series, initiated by the Independent Directors Committee of the DGA chaired by Steven Soderberg, has, since its inception, screened more than 75 independent films. Of those films, approximately 29% have gone on to secure distribution. Participating filmmakers have directly acknowledged the Director's Finder Screening Series as providing the key screening which eventually led to their films being picked up. 

 

The Directors Finders Series award is an opportunity of great cultural significance for Ireland. However, while the main focus will be on the chosen Director and their film we also see this as a PR opportunity for Irish film related bodies.

 

KATIE follows the story of Katie Taylor, the world’s greatest female boxer, who for the first time allows unprecedented access to her life. Unbeaten for ten years, credited with raising the profile of women’s boxing and bringing the sport into the Olympics, Katie suddenly begins a losing spiral in 2016, as the result of conflict within her close-knit family. KATIE is a riveting and highly emotional documentary that cuts to the core of Katie’s demise and tells the story of her attempt to rebuild her life. KATIE is on general release in Ireland on October 26.

 

This award is supported by Culture Ireland, the Irish Film Board and the Directors Guild of America.

 

For more information contact us on 087 126 2376 or at hello@sdgi.ie.