'It's a dream come true to be shooting a movie in West Cork'

Romantic comedy by US production company Hallmark currently shooting in Skibbereen, Baltimore and Ballydehob, with many locals taking part as extras

Edwina Forkin in the make-up room with hair assistant Lynsey O'Leary at West Cork Film Studios. Pictures: Noel Sweeney

An Irish woman behind a string of Hallmark films says it is a dream come true to be producing the feelgood movies on set in West Cork — and using local talent.

The US production company is currently shooting in Skibbereen, Baltimore and Ballydehob. 

Everyone from local extras to art designers have come together for the project, sparking hopes for more collaborations in the years ahead. 

While details of the actors and movie title have yet to be announced, Dublin-based producer Edwina Forkin from Zanzibar films said filming was going well. Filming is expected to be completed by the end of next week.

The project, which is being undertaken in collaboration with Cartel Entertainment in the US, has been described as a romantic comedy similar to PS I Love You. It follows the romantic story of a woman who falls in love with a local man after travelling to Ireland with her mother.

It is understood the leading female actors are from the US. An Irish actor has been cast as the movie’s coveted love interest.

“We’re hoping this could be one of many in West Cork,” Ms Forkin said. 

Edwina Forkin: 'We had been wanting to film in Cork for such a long time and now it’s finally happening.'

“We had been wanting to film in Cork for such a long time and now it’s finally happening. West Cork Film Studios have been great. The staff there are really accommodating. There is so much talent in West Cork. We are trying to have as many West Cork locals on board as possible.” 

Ms Forkin said the response from the community had been really positive.

“It’s really wholesome entertainment. Everyone knows Hallmark which is great because people realise it’s not going to be this gory slasher movie or anything like that. All the scenes are going to show West Cork in a really nice light.” 

The film producer, who is from Blackrock in Dublin, said she grew up watching Hallmark movies.

“Hallmark movies are very family orientated. I knew the brand very well and enjoyed the aspirational storylines and beautiful lighting. They are films you can watch with your mum or your granny so I always enjoyed them. 

"My mum was delighted when I got my first Hallmark movie because she always loved their films. After she passed I got so many more. It was like she was throwing them at me from above.” 

Well-known Hallmark productions filmed in Ireland include As Luck Would Have It and Christmas at Castle Hart. However, this will be the first film of its kind to be shot in West Cork.

The crew at West Cork Film Studios, from left, Caroline Keoghane, Lynsey O'Leary, Colyne Laverriere, Eoghan Horgan, Edwina Forkin, Alan Forkin, Caroll O'Reilly, Brian Forkin, Grace Sexton, John Norton, Stephen O'Hanlon and Liam Neville. 

“I have already done four films this year. Last year, I did seven. A lot of these are Christmas films so we always have decorations in storage that are ready to go. A lot of the time the scenes shot in Ireland will be made to resemble another country. 

"For example, a lot of the filming for the movie A Norwegian Christmas was done in Ireland. We managed to make Norway in Blackrock. We shot in Bergen for a few days to set the scenes. It’s a hybrid approach we have adopted for many of the films. It’s a machine so you have to have everything turned around really quickly. It’s really important that you don’t drop the ball.” 

She hopes Ireland can attract more film productions in the years ahead.

“A lot of the previous Hallmark films were filmed in Canada. Now, they have their sights set on Europe, which is really exciting. The combination of tax breaks and beautiful scenery have made Ireland a very attractive place to film in.”