In 1983, a South American pilot crash-landed outside the small Irish town of Dromoleen. The town soon banded behind their mysterious visitor, helping to repair his plane and even constructing a runway to send him on his way. It’s a true-life story tailor-made to warm hearts and win over even the most cynical viewers, and that’s exactly what happens in writer-director Ian Power’s big-screen version of the incident, THE RUNWAY.

Inspired by the more sophisticated kids’ films of the 1980s (think THE GOONIES or E.T.), Powers invites viewers to see the events through the eyes of nine-year-old Paco Thomas (newcomer Jamie Kierans). Living with his single mother and pining for the Spanish-born father he’s never met, Paco finds himself irresistibly drawn to the airborne stranger, played to perfection by WEEDS’ Demian Bichir, and, like the rest of the town, finds his life forever changed by the encounter.

Infused with an endearing sense of nostalgia, THE RUNWAY is a showcase for the softer side of Irish filmmaking. Already awarded top honours at the Galway Film Fleadh, this is one true-life story guaranteed to win over audiences worldwide.