Irish filmmaker Paul Webster's short movie Canine has been selected for the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
Directed, produced and written by Webster, who is from Navan, Co Meath, the film is co-produced between Ireland and Namibia, making it the first Namibian film selected for Tribeca, the festival started by Hollywood legend Robert De Niro.
Webster said: "This recognition is not just an honor for the entire team involved in Canine but also marks a historic moment for Namibian cinema".
Canine focuses on Irishman Rory Hennebry, an elite dog trainer who wants to use his skills to combat poachers in Africa.
The movie follows AK, a tracking dog that is being trained with the job of protecting endangered black rhinos from ruthless poachers in Africa.
It focuses on AK's rigorous training in Ireland and his journey to Namibia where trainer Hennerbry has only two weeks to complete the handover with the dog's new handler Faan Oosthuizen - head of an anti-poaching strike force.
The film is shot purposely from AK's perspective so that the audience is fully immersed and witnesses the fight to stop illegal poaching from his eyes.
Canine debuted at the Galway Film Fleadh and won the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the Cork International Film Festival.
Hennebry commented: "For me, this film is a document that preserves a pivotal moment in time that can be looked back on with either a sense of loss or pride.
"Being involved is a privilege and a responsibility. Tribeca Festival will bring the project to the attention of people and allow them to be invested and involved."
Planning is currently underway for a feature-length version, expanding on the themes and narrative introduced in the short.
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