A FILM co-produced by a Belfast-based team which depicts everyday life on the Gaza strip has had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Gaza was directed by Garry Keane and award-winning conflict photographer Andrew McConnell, and co-produced by Fine Point Films.
It is the first time a Belfast documentary company has premiered a film at the prestigious US film festival.
The film, which is listed in the 'world cinema documentary competition' at Sundance, was co-produced by Belfast film-makers Brendan Byrne and Trevor Birney.
Mr Birney previously worked alongside fellow investigative journalist Barry McCaffrey on the award-winning documentary No Stone Unturned, which investigated the Loughinisland massacre in 1994.
Gaza shows the strip through the stories of the people living there.
They include fishermen who are only allowed to go 4.8km (three miles) into the ocean before they are stopped by Israeli gunboats, and tailors who can only work their sewing machines in the sporadic hours when electricity is working.
The feature documentary, which is supported by Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen, is due for release later this year.
Mr Birney, executive producer of Gaza, said: "Brendan J Byrne produced this film and we're very proud of the amazing work he has done to support this talented team.
"Andrew and Garry have created a beautiful film that takes us way beyond the headlines we read coming out of Gaza, creating truly wonderful images and telling amazing stories of just some of the incredible people who live their lives against the constant backdrop of conflict."
He added: "This film represents a major moment for both Fine Point and local documentary producers. It confirms what we've always known, that we have the talent to tell our stories at the greatest film festivals in the world today."
Richard Williams, chief executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said: "It is a pleasure to be able to support this film and get it made. To see it have its world premiere at Sundance is astonishing and no mean feat.
"It is testament to the strong and hugely talented team behind the lens who represent the very best of Northern Irish film-making talent."
