McDermottroe was also surrounded by a stellar production crew whilst filming HALAL DADDY, including Director of Photography Mel Griffith (Ricky: Three’s A Crowd), Production Designer Conor Dennison (A Dark Song) and Costume Designer Kerry Gooding (Game of Thrones).

Raghdan Aziz, a young man of British-Indian Muslim heritage, is happy in his new home on the west coast of Ireland. This beach-fronted retreat is the perfect getaway from his controlling father. He has escaped the burden of his legacy and discovered a new sense of community. Living with his adoring aunt and uncle, Raghdan hangs out with his surf buddies Derek and Neville and has mapped out a future with girlfriend, Maeve Logan.

On Raghdan’s 21st birthday, his father Amir arrives from England with the gift of a run-down meat factory. How will Raghdan cope with this poisoned chalice of a present – a career opportunity that he never wanted?

HALAL DADDY is a fish out of water story about a loveable outsider, who must decide to embrace or defy his culture in the name of fitting in.

Director and Co-Writer Conor McDermottroe says “I am delighted and thrilled to be premiering Halal Daddy at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Edinburgh holds a special place for me. I have fond memories of the festival over the years. Returning there on the 26th of June, to open Halal Daddy, is just fantastic”

Producer, Deadpan Pictures, Ailish McElmeel say “We’re honoured to premiere at the world’s oldest and continually running film festival ,the prestigious Edinburgh International Film Festival.  Given the warmth and charm of Halal Daddy we feel it will play very well to local Edinburgh Audiences and industry a like.”

HALAL DADDY is produced by Ailish McElmeel for Deadpan Pictures (Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope, Nowhere Fast, Burning Wishes) in Ireland and Hermann Florin for Benrae Florin Film Ireland and Florin Film (Hanni & Nanni, I’m off Then, Swansong: The Story of Occi Byrne, Outriders) in Germany. The film is co-financed by the Irish Film Board/Bord Scannán na hÉireann with support from Eurimages. Element Pictures Distribution has Irish and UK rights.

Halal Daddy opens in Irish cinemas on 30^th June.

Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope, written by Stefanie Preissner and directed by Cathy Brady, is a six-part series about two Cork girls whose lives revolve around partying in Dublin but who start to drift apart as one of them spirals out of control.

Irish audiences got to see the drama first when it aired with a special double-bill episode on Monday, September 19^th at 10pm on RTÉ2.

Starring up-and-coming actresses Seána Kerslake (A Date for Mad Mary) and Nika McGuigan (Traders,) Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope shines a light on what it’s like to be young and somewhat reckless in Ireland right now.

In a unique proposition for Irish television drama, Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope is written, directed and produced by an all-female team with two women in the leading roles. Making her television debut, writer Stefanie Preissner is best known as a playwright, penning the award winning Solpadeine is My Boyfriend. Director Cathy Brady, a Screen international ’Star of Tomorrow’ is a two-time IFTA winner with an international profile having worked on projects including E4’s Glue. Producer Ailish McElmeel, of Deadpan Pictures, is currently producing Conor McDermottroe’s Halal Daddy; previously produced RTEs mutliawardwinning web series Burning Wishes and executive produced Hardy Bucks Rides Again for RTÉ2. Amy Huberman (The Clinic,Striking Out) heads up a strong supporting cast including Norma Sheahan (Bridget & Eamon), Laurence O’ Fuarain (Philomena), Muiris Crowley (Vikings) and a cameo appearance by Eileen Walsh (Catastrophe).

RTÉ2 channel controller Adrian Lynch said: “Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope is an exciting new series for RTÉ2 and one which amply demonstrates the channel’s ongoing commitment to working with great Irish talent both on and off screen. It also goes to the heart of what RTÉ2 is all about – reflecting the lives of young Irish people as they are living them now. We are very excited to see what people make of it.”

RTÉ head of Comedy, Talent Development and Music, Eddie Doyle said: “We are very proud of Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope. The show aims to capture what life is really like for young women in Ireland today in a funny, engaging and realistic way, while also taking an unflinching look at some serious issues. It brings a uniquely Irish sensibility to universal themes that we are sure will resonate with audiences.”

Speaking after the transmission Deadpan Pictures Ailish McElmeel said “We are so excited to see that Irish audiences have engaged so positively with the show, the overwhelming response is that it’s so real and representative of the young female experience.  Not surprising given that it’s written, directed and starring some of Ireland’s most talented women”

Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope has already earned recognition abroad with Irish Screen America set to host the show’s international premiere in LA in the next week. Nika McGuigan and Stefanie Preissner have also been honoured with Irish Screen America’s Rising Star Award.

The series is produced by Deadpan Pictures for RTE2, with support from the BAI Sound and Vision Fund and with Content Media handling international sales.