NEIL JORDAN SIGNS UP AS AMBASSADOR FOR CORK SCREEN COMMISSION

The Cork Screen Commission (CSC) is delighted to announce that Oscar-winning writer and director, Neil Jordan, has signed up to be an ambassador for CSC, which is a jointly funded initiative by Cork City Council and Cork County Council. CSC is a one-stop shop for all film needs in Cork City and County, helping film and television producers find, secure and make the best use of Cork's magnificent locations and highly skilled film work force.

Born in 1950 in Sligo, Neil Jordan's early career began as a writer but, at the tender age of 32, Neil wrote and directed his first feature film, ANGEL, for which he won The London Evening Standard's Most Promising Newcomer Award. This early success was quickly followed by more awards for films such as THE COMPANY OF WOLVES (1984) and MONA LISA (1986).

It was in 1992, however, when he wrote and directed THE CRYING GAME, which was nominated for six academy awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Stephen Rea), Best Supporting Actor (Jaye Davidson) and for which Neil won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay that the wider public became aware of him as a once in a lifetime directing talent.

His place in the pantheon of truly great directors has been cemented with a myriad of films, some made in Hollywood with the very biggest names, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (1994), with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, and others made closer to home, including MICHAEL COLLINS (1996), with Liam Neeson, his collaborations with Irish novelist Pat McCabe, THE BUTCHER BOY (1997) and BREAKFAST ON PLUTO (2005), and his Cork-Inspired ONDINE (2009) with Colin Farrell.

"The landscape in Cork provides one of the most unique environments I have found anywhere," said Neil Jordan. "I wrote one film specifically about the Beara Peninsula; ONDINE. But Cork provides much more than just natural beauty. The friendly locals and professional cast and crew ensure that shooting in Cork is a fantastic experience."

"We're absolutely thrilled that Neil Jordan has signed up to be an ambassador for Cork Screen Commission," said Jason O' Mahony, Cork Screen Commission. "Neil is a fantastic writer and director and his films have consistently reached heights that few others attain even once in a lifetime. In addition to being a film maker of the very highest order, Neil Jordan is unique amongst Irish talent in being equally at home in Hollywood and in smaller, more intimate Irish based films. In fact his film, ONDINE, was shot on the Beara peninsula and is further proof of the beauty and cinematic virtues to be found in Cork. We'd like to thank Neil for being involved and hope that having such strong ambassadors would attract more film work to the area."

Cork Screen Commission will officially launch at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11th in Bodega on Cornmarket St. in Cork. Minister for the Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan will launch the commission and the new website, which will house an extensive database of Cork based locations, cast, crew and service providers. For more information on the launch please contact the Cork Screen Commission.

For more information about Cork Screen Commission please email Jason O' Mahony at jason@corkscreencommission.com

About the Cork Screen Commission

The Cork Screen Commission is a one-stop shop for all film needs in Cork City and County. It helps film and television producers find, secure and make the best use of Cork's magnificent locations. The Cork Screen Commission helps filmmakers from script to screen!

Cork Screen Commission also houses an extensive database of Cork-based film professionals, including cast and crew; film services and film production companies.

The Cork Screen Commission works to develop, recognize and promote film activities in Cork City and County, while also working to promote the area as a film destination. It also works with the local film community to support local projects with significant ties to the area.

Cork Screen Commission is jointly funded by Cork City Council and Cork County Council under the auspices of the Cork Film Centre.

For more information on Cork Screen Commission please log onto www.corkscreencommissoin.com or call +353 86 401 5433.

The Cork Screen Commission's Key Roles are:

- To actively market the Cork region as a prime location for film and television production.

- To support the region's indigenous film and television industry which consists of a highly talented group of individuals and companes.

- To provide a comprehensive production support service for those involved in the industry.

- To liaise with the Irish Film Board, Cork County Council, Cork City Council and other stakeholders to ensure that the region is film friendly and welcoming to incoming productions.

- To attract incoming investment and, in so doing, to create employment opportunities for the regions highly skilled film professionals.