Dundalk director nominated for Best Director and Best Film IFTA

Dundalk director Ian Hunt Duffy has been nominated in the Best Director and Best Film categories at the IFTAs (Irish Film and Television Awards) for his film Double Blind.

The story unfolds when seven young individuals, lured by the promise of quick cash, sign up for an experimental drug trial at a remote medical facility. 

Little do they know that their participation will plunge them into a nightmarish ordeal.

The drug they ingest has a horrifying side effect: falling asleep means certain death. 

Trapped within the confines of the facility, the group must navigate their way through paranoia, distrust, and the relentless need to stay awake in order to survive.

“Double Blind” emerged as a collaboration between writer Darach McGarrigle and Blackrock director Ian Hunt Duffy, both known for their penchant for genre films. Building on the success of their previous works, including the acclaimed short film “Gridlock,” the duo secured funding to bring their vision to life. 

With principal photography taking place in Ireland, the film promises a thrilling ride filled with action, special effects, and heart-stopping suspense.

The Dundalk native’s  previous accolades include an IFTA nomination and an Oscar longlisting for “Gridlock,” along with numerous awards from prestigious film festivals worldwide. With “Double Blind,” Ian delves deeper into the realm of high-concept storytelling, aiming to captivate audiences with its unique premise and visceral thrills.

Speaking to the Democrat last year having just wrapped filming, Ian explained how the film came about: “We were always kind of trying to work towards the feature film and shorts, by and large, are kind of stepping stone towards a feature in Ireland anyway, you kind of cut your teeth on short films first to try to show what you can do and develop your style and your voice of the filmmaker.

“And so then I asked Darach if he had any ideas for a feature film, and he had the idea for Double Blind, which I mean, he had the main premise, the hook, which was if you fall asleep, you die.

“I thought it was great, so he went off and wrote a first draft of it and we submitted it to Screen Ireland, for funding for me to continue to develop the script.”

Reflecting on the film’s premise, Ian, who attended De La Salle,  shares his excitement about exploring the fear and panic associated with something as mundane as sleep turning deadly. With a talented ensemble cast led by Millie Brady and horror icon Pollyanna McIntosh, he is eager for audiences to experience the tension, disorientation, and dread that “Double Blind” has to offer.

“As a director I am deeply passionate about creating high-concept and suspenseful genre films, and I believe that the hook of our story —if you fall asleep you die —is really evocative and exciting.

“It takes something normal and innocent like sleep and makes it deadly, creating panic and terror whenever someone closes their eyes. 

“We have a fantastic ensemble cast led by Millie Brady and horror icon Pollyanna McIntosh, so I cannot wait for audiences to experience the tension, disorientation, and dread of Double Blind.”

Over the past few months, Irish Academy Members have been busy viewing, deliberating, and shortlisting the very best work from across Irish films, dramas, performances, and craftsmanship. 

Nominations have been shortlisted by Irish Academy Members as well as specialist Jury panels of industry experts. Deloitte is the official vote scrutineer.

Award winners will be announced at the 21st Anniversary IFTA Awards Ceremony taking place on Saturday, April 20th at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.  The Awards will be hosted for the first time by Emmy-winning broadcaster Baz Ashmawy, 

 Academy CEO, Áine Moriarty said: 

“What an incredible showcase of Nominees shortlisted for Irish Academy Awards this year.  Irish talents are proving themselves to be amongst the best in the world, both in front and behind the camera, delivering such high standards of acting, filmmaking, and storytelling.  

“We in the Irish Academy, are proud to showcase this industry’s great work and to reward their achievements. Congratulations to all the Nominees - so well deserved!”