Below the Radar Partners with Alex Gibney

BELFAST: Ten Alps’ Below the Radar has signed a two-year agreement with Academy Award-winning director Alex Gibney to send two of its producers to spend three months working with Gibney’s New York-based production company Jigsaw.

The project has been funded by a £45,000 grant from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Creative Industries Innovative Fund. Eimhear O’Neill, who joined Below the Radar as a researcher in May 2009, will be the first participant in the program. Over the next 12 months, Eimhear will work in Belfast and New York, gaining experience and working on projects for both the U.S. and U.K. markets.

Trevor Birney, the managing director of Below the Radar, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Below the Radar producers to learn from one of the world’s foremost directorial talents. We believe that it will also generate fresh ideas and skills to benefit the Northern Irish production sector.” 

Gibney added: "As a United States filmmaker, I always watch what’s happening in the U.K. documentary-making sector with real interest. I’ve spent time with the guys from Below the Radar and their enthusiasm and capability for creating fresh, bold films is clear. I’ve no doubt that this tie-up will be a good fit; each of us has much to learn from the other and I’m looking forward to a creative partnership in the months ahead. We’re all looking forward to working together."

Roisín McDonough, the chief executive of the Arts Council, commented: “This is a strong example of the kind of development work we are supporting through the Creative Industries Innovation Fund. Northern Ireland’s competitive strength and source of wealth and job creation is shifting to our creative businesses, and there is huge potential for local businesses to tap into growing U.K. and global markets. With this funding, Below the Radar will be able to expand their skills and knowledge, leaving them in a stronger position to capitalize on these new opportunities.”