Film business putting border region in focus

Kevin McCann firmly believes that the Cavan/Fermanagh border region has that diverse cultural richness and unique sense of place that deserves to be captured and portrayed to a wider global audience. A native of Belturbet, he is fully cognisant of this wonderful depth of character shaped over centuries and as founder and director of Maccana Teoranta, he aims to change all that - with the help of the talents and ideas of people from this area who are asked to join him in his project. Kevin founded Maccana Teoranta in July 2005 and it is County Cavan's first film and television production company. So far, it has been steadily making a name for itself producing documentaries for RTE and BBC, most notably the recent highly acclaimed "Boys of St. Columb's", which tells the story of a uniquely successful group of former students from Derry that includes Seamus Heaney, John Hume and Phil Coulter. A teacher by profession, Kevin taught in Ballyhaise Agricultural College and found the benefits of using drama and documentary to help his students in their studies. Drama is in his blood. His father Brendan McCann is a well established playwright and writer and it did not come as a surprise when Kevin decided to opt for a career in the film production field. He is not starry eyed about a film director's life - it is a tough station but he is not afraid of hard work and he has the imagination, the intellectual ability and technical skills to make a go of it. Already Kevin is highly regarded by key people in film and drama in both RTE and BBC and engages with them on an ongoing basis in relation to projects that are of mutual interest. He is also on first name terms with leading production people in Hollywood and has travelled the world in his role as film producer. Always eager to learn more about his craft, Kevin is currently one of just two film producers from Ireland who have been chosen to participate in a prestigious European film development initiative, which aims to assist the participants in pushing out the boundaries of their craft. When one considers the extensive composition of the film business in countries such as Britain, France, Italy, Germany and Spain, not to mention all the smaller countries, it is a measure of Kevin's recognised potential that he has been chosen as one of a final shortlist of 50 to participate in this important venture. Contacts made in such events are immensely important, and with the wider European film industry undoubtedly keeping an eye on proceedings, the venture will further enhance the standing of people like Kevin who are seeking to break into the big time - and can do so if given that all important opportunity, which often comes about through the networking process. Making the Cavan/Fermanagh area a centre for successful film production is something of a mission for Kevin. He doesn't see why it cannot be done - there is the undoubted talent of a people steeped in literature and drama and he is asking them to come on board with him. However, it is not just the people with a literary bent that he is pitching his proposal towards - it is also people who feel they have a different range of skills that can benefit film and documentary production. People who have technical skills required in the construction of sets, who have abilities in the fields of logistics and communications are also very necessary in translating an idea into a physical reality. Whether you are in business, a tradesman, housewife, or teacher, Kevin would like to hear from you - don't mind if you might feel that your ideas are a bit daft or foolish - it is often the most innocuous idea that acts as the germ for that which is great. Get on the phone to him and toss out what you have in mind. He does acknowledge the home-grown support provided by the people in County Cavan Enterprise Board who are always eager to support any new imaginative ideas - also others such as Sean and Peter Quinn who are always prepared to entertain and back something than can boost the potential of this area. Kevin McCann is fully aware that the film industry in Ireland has not taken off like it has in other countries and he feels this is strange considering the resource this country has in terms of its great literary tradition. Why such a bastion of literature is not commensurately a home for a strong film industry is a puzzling phenomenon - maybe it is time to change all that and make the world aware that we can produce fine films and documentaries - we have the ability and the fine scenery to make this happen. The beautiful lakeland country of Cavan and Fermanagh is an ideal place to bring this ambition to life as far as Kevin McCann is concerned. "It is easier to make a film or TV documentary in Ireland than most other countries but we lack a belief in our own country. "We adore the work of the Americans, the British and Australians but we fail to recognise the potential in ourselves," he says. A man who operates to a very high standard he aims to see Maccana Teoranta become one of the top five film production companies here in the next two years and he confides that they are currently well on the way to that. People who feel they can help Kevin out with his quest to make this area the centre of good film and television production can contact him by phoning him at 086-2459191 or 049-9524831 or by emailing him at kevin@maccanna.ie.