Pre-production is underway on Wildfire, the highly anticipated feature debut from award-winning Irish director Cathy Brady (Morning, Small Change, Wasted) and a multi award-winning team of producers:  Tempesta Films’ Carlo Cresto-Dina (The Wonders -Cannes Jury Grand Prix, Happy As Lazzaro -  Cannes Best Script), Cowboy Films’ Charles Steel (Oscar and BAFTA-winning The Last King of Scotland, Marley) and Samson Films’ David Collins (Oscar and Sundance winner Once, Float Like A Butterfly). 

An Irish-UK co-production, Wildfire was supported through development and production by the BFI (using funds from the National Lottery), Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen and the Wellcome Trust.  Film4, Sulcata Productions, Illium and Lexis Media also co-financed production. Lizzie Francke, Celine Haddad, Lauren Dark, Emma Duffy, Robert Halmi and Jim Reeve are the executive producers. Wildfire will shoot on location in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for 6 weeks later this year. Award-winning cinematographer Crystel Fournier (Girlhood, Nico 1988) is the DOP. 

Wildfire is the story of two sisters who grew up on the fractious Irish border.  When one of them, who has been missing, finally returns home, the intense bond with her sister is re-ignited. Together they unearth their mother’s past but uncovered secrets and resentments which have been buried deep, threaten to overwhelm them.

Cathy Brady’s journey in making this film began by casting the lead actors Nika McGuigan (The Secret Scripture, Traders) and Nora-Jane Noone (Brooklyn, The Magdalene Sisters, The Descent). From there, over a year-long workshop process of improvisations, transcript, rehearsal, voice and dance drills, she created the story and wrote the script.

“What excited us by Wildfire was firstly Cathy’s energy and talent,” said the  producers, “but also the unique generative process Cathy wanted for this: trying to create a film that is different because it’s made differently. “

Great Point is handling world sales and Head of Sales Nada Cirjanic and her team will be introducing the project to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market. Cirjanic said: “We were moved by the piercing emotional truth of this story of a family in crisis, and captivated by Cathy’s clear and powerful vision for bringing it to life.”