Ciaran Cassidy’s documentary Housewife of the Year has been acquired for Ireland and the UK by Wildcard Distribution with a release in Irish cinemas set for later this year.
Ciaran Cassidy is an award-winning filmmaker whose films have premiered at film festivals including Sundance, Telluride, IDFA, SXSW, and Sheffield. Housewife of the Year, which had its world premiere earlier this year at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen, is his second theatrical documentary following his debut Jihad Jane.
Housewife of the Year tells the story of Ireland’s treatment of women through the prism of a live televised competition, where a generation of Irish women competed in front of a live audience for the title of ‘Housewife of the Year’. The former contestants share their direct experiences of marriage bars, lack of contraception, Magdalene laundries, financial vulnerability, boredom, shame, and being contestants in the competition.
“We are so excited to be partnering with Wildcard Distribution on the release of Housewife of the Year,” said director Ciaran Cassidy, speaking about the acquisition. “Our film is a love letter to a generation of Irish women. Over the last number of years, we have had the great privilege of meeting and getting to know an incredible group of women and we are honoured to bring their stories to cinemas across Ireland and the UK with Wildcard who share our passion and enthusiasm for this project.”
He continued: “Having received a huge response at its World Premiere at CPH:DOX, we believe the film and its remarkable cast of characters will resonate deeply with audiences from all over.”
The film was produced by Maria Horgan for Little Wing Films with funding from Screen Ireland, RTÉ, SVT, DR and NRK.
Housewife of the Year will be released in Irish cinemas by Wildcard Distribution in 2024.
