IFTA is delighted to host a special In Conversation at the Galway Film Fleadh with Brenda Blethyn, Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning star of film and TV including Secrets & Lies, Little Voice, Vera, Atonement and Pride & Prejudice. This event takes place on Sunday 13th July at 11.30am at the Burren Suite in the Galmont Hotel. Brenda will be attending the Galway Film Fleadh for a screening of acclaimed new film Dragonfly in which she stars opposite Andrea Riseborough, which screens at 3.30pm on Sunday.
Brenda won the BAFTA and Cannes Award for Best Actress, and was Oscar and Golden Globe nominated, for her lead role in Mike Leigh’s 1997 drama Secrets & Lies. She was Oscar nominated two years later for her role in Little Voice opposite Michael Caine, Jane Horrocks and Ewan McGregor. She received another BAFTA nomination for her role as Mrs. Bennet in Joe Wright’s Pride & Prejudice opposite Keira Knightley, as well as a Golden Globe nomination, Olivier Award nomination, two Emmy nominations and two Screen Actors Guild nominations across her esteemed career.
In her latest film Dragonfly, which has its Irish Premiere at Galway Film Fleadh on Sunday, Brenda stars opposite Oscar nominee Andrea Riseborough and Jason Watkins. The film is described as “a heartbreaking, tense, and atmospheric feature that will unsettle and make you challenge your preconceptions on issues like social care, and caring for the elderly and marginalised.” From writer/director Paul Andrew Williams, Dragonfly had its World Premiere at the recent Tribeca Film Festival.
At this special IFTA In Conversation, Brenda will be discussing her dynamic career on screen; her work with renowned filmmakers like Mike Leigh, Robert Redford and Joe Wright; telling an important story with her new film Dragonfly; lessons she’s learned across her five decade career; advice for younger actors, and more.
More about Brenda Blethyn
From 2011 until this year, Brenda starred in ITV’s beloved drama series Vera as detective Vera Stanhope, which came to an end in January after 14 seasons. She has also starred in film and TV projects including Joe Wright’s Atonement, Robert Redford’s A River Runs Through It, Nicolas Roeg’s The Witches, Nicolas Cage’s Sonny, Ethel & Ernest, Mysterious Creatures, Lovely and Amazing, On a Clear Day, Yes Minister, Outside Arch, Beyond the Sea, A Way of Life, Anne Frank: The Whole Story, War & Peace and Kate & Koji.
On stage, she has appeared in work by Edna O’Brien, Tom Stoppard, Henrik Ibsen, Oscar Wilde, Alan Bennett, George Bernard Shaw, Tennessee Williams and many more; earning an Olivier Award nomination for Michael Frayn’s Benefactors.
About IFTA
IFTA is a not-for-profit organisation with a Membership of 1,300 industry professionals across 15 chapters of discipline (directors, writers, actors, producers, cinematographers, editors etc.). The Academy runs a 12-month Program of Excellence (Masterclasses, Discussions, Women In Focus events, Dynamic/Diverse events, Screenings, Q&As, Talent Hub Sessions etc,) to nurture and encourage young filmmakers and craftspeople.
About Galway Film Fleadh
The 37th edition of the Galway Film Fleadh takes place from 8 – 13 July in the Town Hall Theatre and Pálás Cinema and will feature 31 World Premieres, 11 International/European Premieres and 46 Irish Premieres from 44 countries, featuring 96 feature films in total.