But amazing times were had and in addition to making a few new friends (looking at you Rider, Shiloh and Alex), I also had an great time watching films and making industry contacts, even talking to agents for the first time.

I maintained my previous record of only seeing two feature films and two programs of shorts as I was so busy attending events and so forth, but I am happy to say that the new films got great reviews, of which some are posted below.

Me with Robert De Niro at the Director’s brunch.

Me with the stunningly beautiful Hayden Panettiere, who is even prettier than she seems on TV.

Here is a picture of my wife and me with the lovely Vitali Klitschko, double World Heavyweight Championship boxer and an all round great guy.

Me with Vitali’s younger brother, Wladimir Klitschko, also a double World Heavyweight Championship boxer and a lovely guy.

Over and out for this year, fingers crossed we can make it four out of four next year.

http://www.tribecafilm.com/festival/features/faces-of-the-festival/Thomas_Hefferon_Switch_The_Confession.html

It was a blast to be a part of and outlines not just the films I had at the festival, but also my career so far.

You can read the full article below:

http://mubi.com/garage/posts/3196

It was chosen as one of 10 films selected from the past decade (representing 2009) of the Tribeca Film Festival, in celebration of their 10th year anniversary.

http://www.tribecafilm.com/Watch_Connect_Engage_The_Festival_Online.html

Its my second film at the festival this year, along with my latest film, “Switch”, which shall be having its world premier at the festival.

This is my third year in a row with a film competing in the festival, with “The Confession” playing in 2009 and “The Pool” in 2010.

Below is the press release with all the information about the programs and screenings.

http://www.tribecafilm.com/festival/media2/2011_TRIBECA_FILM_FESTIVAL_ANNOUNCES_SHORT_FILM_SELECTIONS.html

I am truly honoured and excited to be going back again and cannot wait for the festival to start on April 20th.

Thanks so much to my web designer, David Hennigan of Fluid Motion: http://www.fluidmotion.ie/, who kicked ass and did such a great job building me this new site.

I shall be updating the news segment quite regularly, so please drop back from time to time to see what I’ve been up to.

Also expect some big news over the coming weeks. Hope you like the site, enjoy.

“The Pool” is a Filmbase funded short film and was produced by Dave Leahy (Warrior Films) and Fiona Kinsella (Jumper Productions), and was also co-funded by Dave Ffrench (Cladda Films) of LA.

It is a drama about three teenage boys who break into their school swimming pool one night in order to stage a macho breath holding contest. But as the night goes on the loud, brash Charlie begins to tease the overweight, child-like Sam.

After a girl (Katie) arrives whom they all fancy, tensions start to escalate and by the end of the night none of their lives will ever be the same.

We had a really great time at the festival and the general response to “THE POOL” has been phenomenal, with loads of people coming up to me after each screenings and wanting to discuss various aspects of the story and characters.

We also got some fantastic reviews from the few online journalists that attended the shorts programs, which is always nice to see. Below are some pictures from our stay in the big NYC.

Here is me and my wife with Ted Danson and his lovely daughter Kate at the world premiere of my film, “The Pool”.

Me with Darren Aronofsky (Director of “Requiem For A Dream” and “The Wrestler”) at a special awards ceremony honoring his contribution to cinema.

Me with my favorite comedian (and one of the funiest men on the planet) Omid Djalili and David Baddiel.

Me with the great Terry George (writer of “In The Name Of The Father” and writer/Director of “Hotel Rwanda”) with the head of Northern Ireland Screen.

Me speaking at the Q&A after the world premiere of “The Pool”.

“The Pool” is a Filmbase funded short film and was produced by Dave Leahy (Warrior Films) and Fiona Kinsella (Jumper Productions), and was also co-funded by Dave Ffrench (Cladda Films) of LA.

It is a drama about three teenage boys who break into their school swimming pool one night in order to stage a macho breath holding contest. But as the night goes on the loud, brash Charlie begins to tease the overweight, child-like Sam.

After a girl (Katie) arrives whom they all fancy, tensions start to escalate and by the end of the night none of their lives will ever be the same.

“The Pool” is a Filmbase funded short film and was produced by Dave Leahy (Warrior Films) and Fiona Kinsella (Jumper Productions), and was also co-funded by Dave Ffrench (Cladda Films) of LA.

It is a drama about three teenage boys who break into their school swimming pool one night in order to stage a macho breath holding contest. But as the night goes on the loud, brash Charlie begins to tease the overweight, child-like Sam.

After a girl (Katie) arrives whom they all fancy, tensions start to escalate and by the end of the night none of their lives will ever be the same.