First public screening of 'Runner' tonight

Tonight (Friday) will see the first public screening of a short film - 'Runner' - from Offaly based filmmaker Paddy Slattery and producer John Phillipson. 'Runner' is a paranormal drama about a young successful man who tragically kills a girl in a hit and run accident and foolishly attempts to carry on with his life as though nothing has happened. However, this proves to be impossible when he finds himself haunted by a mysterious female presence. Eventually his life spirals out of reality and into a surrealistic nightmare as he soon discovers that you cannot outrun a guilty conscience. Starring emerging Irish actors Tristan Heanue and Nichola MacEvilly, the performances in 'Runner' are guaranteed to keep an audience in suspense right out to the very end. Production on 'Runner' didn't get off to the quick start you might expect. Initially it was rejected by the Irish Film Board for funding, leading to a budget being raised independently. Once the target of €5,000 was reached work began in earnest, with some notable production houses and companies including Studio Solas, Ardmore Sound, Screen Scene and Production Depot stepping up and lending their services for free or at a reduced rate. With BAFTA winning cinematographer Mark McCauley at the helm, shooting got underway in locations around Offaly and after a hectic but productive five day schedule last April the film was finally 'in the can'. After a successful collaboration on Paddy's previous film 'The Moment' which won numerous awards around the world, Dave McCune of Ventry Recording Studios in Dublin returned once more to compose the music on 'Runner'. 'Runner' is now ready for the international film festival circuit, following its premiere tonight in Birr. With the support of FilmOffaly, the screening will commence at 8pm and will be followed by a question and answer session with selected crew and cast.