Northern Ireland Talent's Film Secures SXSW World Premiere

Northern Ireland's vibrant screen industry is once again in the international spotlight thanks to the incredible work of Holywood, Co Down-based Red Wolf Films. Their feature documentary, "The Life We Leave," has achieved a significant milestone, securing a world premiere and an official competition selection at the highly esteemed South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas.

SXSW, held annually in March, is globally recognised as one of the most influential cultural festivals, celebrating outstanding storytelling across film, music, and technology. Being selected for competition places "The Life We Leave" among a small, carefully curated group of films, formally judged by international juries and marking it as a work of profound creative and cultural importance.

Directed by Seattle-based filmmaker JJ Gerber, "The Life We Leave" delves into the fascinating moment Washington State legalised human body composting. The film follows entrepreneur Micah Truman as he commits everything to a groundbreaking vision for deathcare, challenging long-held societal views on death, grief, and remembrance.

Crucially, the film's success highlights the exceptional editorial talent based right here in Northern Ireland. "The Life We Leave" was skillfully edited at Red Wolf Films by Giordano Bonora Groome, with Teresa McDonald serving as Assistant Editor. Their contribution puts Northern Ireland's filmmaking expertise firmly on a major global stage.

For Assistant Editor Teresa McDonald, this SXSW premiere marks a huge professional milestone. Teresa joined Red Wolf Films in 2023 as a trainee through the Northern Ireland Screen CINE scheme, and now proudly adds another international feature documentary credit to her name. "I came to Red Wolf as a trainee without any expectation that I’d be working on a film premiering at SXSW a few years later," Teresa shared. "To see this project also recognised in competition is incredibly meaningful and shows what can happen when training opportunities are backed by investment and support."

Teresa further added, "The experience of working in editorial day-to-day, learning on the job and being part of a collaborative creative team has been invaluable. To be part of a film recognised by a festival like SXSW is something I’m incredibly proud of."

Paula Campbell, CINE Lead at Northern Ireland Screen, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Teresa is a shining example of the impact of the CINE scheme, progressing from trainee to assistant editor on a feature documentary premiering in competition at SXSW. Her achievement highlights the strength of NI Screen’s partnership with production companies and is well-deserved recognition of her contribution to Red Wolf Films, while serving as an inspiration to emerging talent across the screen industry." This success story truly underscores the importance of local skills development and the thriving creative community we have in Northern Ireland.