Winning script for Will

The forthcoming film release 'My Brothers' has a truly Cork connection. Not only was it filmed in various locations around Cork but also stars two young Cork actors and to top it all it was written by Will Collins, 33 and from Castlemagner in North Cork. It was a winning pitch by Will that secured his first feature film and although it was filmed during the severe weather in 2009, it has already toured the film festival circuit around the world.

"I had the idea when I was doing my Masters in Screenwriting at the Huston School of Film in Galway, it's just a simple story with emotional truth and all about characters. It's a very personal story and is based on the relationship I had with my brothers and people have really responded to it especially in New York which was really surprising for me," said Collins.

"I spent about a year developing the story and then pitched it to an open X Factor style process at the Galway Film Fleadh to a jury of three industry professionals. Thankfully I won it and submitted it to The Irish Film Board for development funding and luckily they took a punt on my idea and gave me the funding and then I spent a few months writing the screenplay which they loved and then I got a lot of interest from various production companies who were interested in the film."

'My Brothers' tells the story of three brothers' adventures on a quest in the form of a road trip, as they struggle to cope with their father's impending death and to define their own place in the bigger world. Their mission is to replace their dying father's watch.

For Paul Courtney from Mitchelstown, who plays the role of 'Paudie' in the film it was his first ever acting role.

"It was an amazing experience to star in the film and the best thing was that it was filmed all around East Cork. I'd never been on a film set before never mind audition for a role so when they came to our school looking for actors, I thought I'd give it a go," said Paul.

"We go to travel to New York for the world premiere of the film at the Tribeca Film Festival and my parents came over too and that was a surreal experience. Last October I also travelled to Rome and we are all heading up to a special event screening in the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin on Thursday."

"I can't wait for the film to be finally released as people have been asking me for ages about it. A few of my friends are heading to see it this Saturday in The Gate Cinema so I'll definitely be getting a slagging from them."

My Brothers is released nationwide on Friday 17 August and Will Collins will be present for a screening in the Triskel on Sunday 19 August at 8.30pm followed by a Q & A session.