Simon Fitzmaurice is a filmaker on a serious mission to raise money for his latest film My Name is Emily, a film about a teenage girl who escapes her foster home in search of her long lost father. A fun pub quiz is taking place to raise funds for the film on Wednesday the 4th in Grand Canal Dock. What is different about this award winning writer and director is that he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2008, a progressive disease meaning he is now physically incapacitated.
Simon previous films include The Sound of people , which was officially selected for Roberts Redford’s Sundance Film Festival in 2007. Since then his life has fundamentally changed but his determination to continue with his film making despite this saw him write and send his latest script to Kennedy Films and Newgrange Pictures who upon reading it fell in love with the story. Part-funding has come from the Irish Film Board.
Simon uses special eye tracking technology with blink recognition on his computer that allows him to write and communicate, but to direct and complete the project he requires special equipment and support on the film set and money raised will contribute towards this.
Other activity includes an online crowd fund campaign with just 5 days left to go to and this will play a major part in getting the film off the ground. Alternatively to be a part of this worthwhile project you are invited to the pub quiz on Wednesday at 8.30 pm at the The Factory, Grand Canal Dock. To donate money go to http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/my-name-is-emily
By Leeza Kane
