Tomm Moore's Irish animation feature The Secret of Kells will be given a showcase screening on Sept 19 at the DGA Theatre, Los Angeles, to an audience of American distributors and industry personnel with the aim of securing a US distribution deal for the film.

Selected by an international panel, The Directors Finders Series award from the Irish Screen Directors Guild (SDGI) is supported by the Irish Film Board, the DGA, the Arts Council, Culture Ireland and Screen Training Ireland.

The Secret of Kells tells the story of Brendan, a boy involved with finishing the famous Book of Kells at a time when marauding Vikings were invading Ireland in the 8th Century.

Preceding the LA screening, SDGI will host Tomm Moore and his film at an industry awards ceremony on Sept4 in Dublin. This will be launched by the Minister for Arts, Sports & Tourism, Martin Cullen, and co-hosted by directors Jim Sheridan and Michael Apted.

Tom Collins,last year'swinner, secured a US distribution deal for his film Kings and the film was also Ireland's first nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in the Academy Awards earlier this year.

The Secret of Kells will be released in Irish cinemas by Walt Disney Studios (Ireland) in the first quarter of 2009.

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