by Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor  In its 25 year history, FESTROIA has welcomed such luminaries as Lauren Bacall, Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas, Dennis Hopper, Christopher Walken, Jane Russell, Ben Gazarra and Mickey Rooney. This year, career achievement honors go to American actor Michael Madsen, who will be in Portugal to receive his prize. He is also being represented on the big screen in two films: STRENGTH AND HONOUR by debut Irish director Mark Mahon, where he gives a s...

In its 25 year history, FESTROIA has welcomed such luminaries as Lauren Bacall, Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas, Dennis Hopper, Christopher Walken, Jane Russell, Ben Gazarra and Mickey Rooney. This year, career achievement honors go to American actor Michael Madsen, who will be in Portugal to receive his prize. He is also being represented on the big screen in two films: STRENGTH AND HONOUR by debut Irish director Mark Mahon, where he gives a superlative performance as a washed-up boxer who must en...

Those in need of a satisfying indie film fix will be happy to hear that The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF) is gearing up to return to Los Angeles with an exciting lineup of films, premieres and special events, taking place December 4-11th, 2008. NYIIFVF kicks off with a film market and networking party at the stylish Cabana Club on Thursday, December 4th from 7pm-Midnight. Opening night will also include a special awards presentation for NYIIFVF award recipi...

  Sunday, November 9-------Don’t let the twinkle in his eyes or the lilt in his Irish accent fool you….. Mark Mahon is indeed a man on a mission, at least when it comes to his feature film directing debut, the boxing drama STRENGTH AND HONOUR. The film, which screened last night to an enthusiastic audience response at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, is a redemptive story about the emotional and professional comeback of a wounded fighter, in many ways a parallel...

Don’t let the twinkle in his eyes or the lilt in his Irish accent fool you….. Mark Mahon is indeed a man on a mission, at least when it comes to his feature film directing debut, the boxing drama STRENGTH AND HONOUR. The film, which screened last night to an enthusiastic audience response at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, is a redemptive story about the emotional and professional comeback of a wounded fighter, in many ways a parallel to Mahon’s own dramatic story. A nat...

STRENGTH AND HONOUR tells the story of an Irish-American boxer, Sean Kelleher (Michael Madsen), who accidentally kills his friend in the ring and promises his wife that he will never box again. However, years later, when he discovers that his only son is dying of the same hereditary heart disorder which has taken his wife, he is forced to break his promise in order to raise the substantial funds needed for the surgery that could save his son's life. STRENGTH AND HONOUR is a human drama of love...

The ninth edition of the Malibu International Film Festival announces actor and Malibu resident; Michael Madsen will be honored on closing night April 6th for Madsen’s achievements in the art of acting. Past MIFF acting award recipients include: Pierce Brosnan, Nick Nolte, Shirley Shirley MacLaine, Malcolm Macdowell & Charles Bronson.Madsen gained attention from critics and fans from his performances in notable independent films such as Reservoir Dogs, Sin City & Kill Bill. Madsen's acting c...

The ninth edition of the Malibu International Film Festival announces actor and Malibu resident; Michael Madsen will be honored on closing night April 6th for Madsen’s achievements in the art of acting. Past MIFF acting award recipients include: Pierce Brosnan, Nick Nolte, Shirley Shirley MacLaine, Malcolm Macdowell & Charles Bronson.Madsen gained attention from critics and fans from his performances in notable independent films such as Reservoir Dogs, Sin City & Kill Bill. Madsen's acting c...

The producers of the Action on Film Festival announced today that director, writer and producer Mark Mahon will be a presenter at the 2007 festival award show. This year's award ceremony will also feature an award named after him, which he will present. The award will be given annually to a screenplay which displays excellence in writing and the indomitable spirit of the filmmaker. "This is a dream come true," said Mahon. "Winning at AOF is responsible for everything that has happened to me." ...

Interview with Stephen Tramontana (Writer/Director) of Grindhouse (USA) feature film made in 2002 and who has accused Quentin Tarantino of ripping off their film for his new film project with Robert Rodgriuez. Tramontana has released his film for download for only 99 cents at The Real Grindhouse Bryan Singer vs Gus Van Sant - both are making new films about the Harvey Milk murder in San Franscisco Anne Thompson from Variety magazine reports that independent filmmake...

How do you go from a struggling screenwriter to a full fledged filmmaker in under two years with no connections, no family in the business, and no real experience?  According to Mark Mahon, you enter your script in the AOF Festival, win an award and the rest is easy.  Well maybe not that easy, but Mark has made it look that way and he did it with style, grace and class.    The new film STRENTH AND HONOR by Mark Mahon stars Michael Madsen, Ricahrd Chamberlain, Vinnie Jones and Patrick Bergin....