Midlands-based football film to get cinema release

Midlands-based football drama 'Lakelands' is set to get a national cinema release.

The feature, promoted by Wildcard Distribution, will be shown in Irish and UK cinemas from May 5, and two new posters have been launched for the cinema release.

Nominated for four IFTAs including Best Film, Actor and Actress, 'Lakelands' which was shot in Longford is the debut feature from Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney, and features emerging Irish stars Éanna Hardwicke Normal People), and Danielle Galligan (Netflix’s Shadow and Bone) as well as Gary Lydon (The Banshees of Inisherin), Dafhyd Flynn (Michael Inside), and Lorcan Cranitch (The Dig).

The film had its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh last summer where it picked up the Best Irish Film prize and both Hardwicke and Galligan were awarded the Bingham Ray Talent Award for their performances in the film.

It follows Cian, a young Gaelic footballer struggling to come to terms with a career-ending injury after an attack on a night out. He undertakes a search for his own identity in a small town where Gaelic football is a religion, and identity is defined by what you can do on the pitch.

'Lakelands' was produced by Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney for Harp Media with support from Screen Ireland, Creative Ireland, Longford Arts Office and Backstage Theatre and was co-produced by Chris Higgins and Andrei Bogdan.