‘The Secret Market’ Premieres at Rhode Island International Film Festival

A new Irish short drama starring Victoria Smurfit (Once Upon a Time) has been officially selected to premiere at the 35th Rhode Island International Film Festival. The Secret Market a contemporary mystery thriller written by Conor Ryan and directed by Martina McGlynn and Garret Daly will hold its world premiere at the Oscar and BAFTA qualifying festival that is ranked one of the top ten film festivals in the US.

Smurfit plays Amy McCarthy, a doctor who has risen through the medical ranks to become chief surgeon. She has a near perfect life until her past comes back to haunt her. The film stars an impressive ensemble of Irish actors including Tadhg Murphy (Black Sails, Vikings), Mark Huberman (Frank, Noble), Camille O’Sullivan (Rebellion), Jonathan White (Love Rosie, Noble) and Eric Lalor (Fair City).

Filmed on location in Ireland throughout Dublin city and Tullamore County Offaly the film was shot by IFTA winning Director of Photography James Mather (Frank, Ripper Street). Music was composed by Golden Globe nominated and IFTA winning composer Brian Byrne (Albert Nobbs, The Secret Scripture). Sound Design and Mixing was provided by IFTA winner Killian Fitzgerald (Striking Out) at Avatar Post Production while colourist Eugene McCrystal at Outer Limits completed post production.

The film is the debut short from Limerick writer Conor Ryan who is currently in development with Gaumont and Aaron Kaplan on numerous US TV dramas. “Conor’s script is very relevant in an era where personal data and privacy is being threatened in a real way. The script and film forces us all to examine our past, even though we mightn’t want to !” commented filmmaker Martina Mc Glynn.

The Secret Market is produced by Martina McGlynn, Victoria Smurfit and Garret Daly through Mixed Bag Media. Based in County Offaly Ireland, the company’s next project is a feature film based on the 1985 true story of the two boys from Darndale Dublin aged 10 and 13 who were stowaways to New York. The screenplay written by Conor Ryan is in development with the Irish Film Board and is currently scheduled for production in 2018.

‘The Secret Market’ will screen at the 35th Rhode Island International Film Festival Friday August 11th at 9pm at the Vets Cinemathéque in Providence before continuing its festival journey around the world.