Anyone that told you working in law isn’t glamorous was wrong! Well, for the most part, we don’t rub shoulders with the stars, but recently we emerged from the legal world of TV and film production into the spotlight to attend the fabulous Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) awards.

Damian McParland, Abbie Long, Louise Cavanagh and Molly Rainey were delighted to join our longstanding clients and friends from Fine Point Films, Double Band Films and Northern Ireland Screen at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre where talent (and style) from across Ireland was on display.

As well as celebrity spotting and the necessary selfie moments, we were proud to see our clients achieve so much recognition at the awards with Fine Point Films picking up four wins for their film Kneecap and director Rich Peppiatt taking home Best Director (shortly before receiving his other much deserved BAFTA win for Outstanding Debut) and Double Band Films picking up an award for their Irish Language horror feature “Fréwaca”.

Managing ’the legals’ is an important but behind the scenes aspect of TV and film production. We offer legal support at any and all stages of a project. That might mean setting out ownership rights, finalising funding agreements, managing writer agreements, cast and crew contracts, payment processes and so on. For other clients, we might advise on the distribution of a film or TV show, or we might help with licensing, merchandising or security arrangements. We’re extremely proud to have worked on films and series that have been internationally celebrated, from Game of Thrones to Derry Girls, How to Train Your Dragon, The Northman to Kneecap.  We are also providing production legals on The Death of Robin Hood, starring Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer, which is currently filming in Northern Ireland.

As Northern Ireland’s media sector continues to shine, we are taking on more and more work with local production companies and are currently advising for projects which we have no doubt will lift awards at next year’s IFTAs. It is an exciting sector to be a part of and these awards reminded us of that.

Now we just need to add a red carpet to our office and we’ll feel more at home!