New York -- Dozens of individuals filled the terrace at the Irish Consul General's quarters in Manhattan's East Side on May 28 to learn more about "The Rising," a film project led by film producer Kevin McCann, head of Ireland-based Maccana Teoranta. Irish Consul General Barbara Jones served as host for the reception, which featured spectacular views of Manhattan.

From left to right, "The Rising" screenwriter Colin Broderick; producer Kevin McCann; Tibor Sands, McCann's invited guest and first assistant cameraman for "The Godfather" film; and Irish Consul General Barbara Jones, who hosted the event.

"The Rising" aims to dramatize the full story of the Easter Rising, arguably for the first time in a major motion picture. The film has been in development since 2012, and is supported by the Irish Film Board and Northern Ireland Screen (Belfast).

This ambitious and timely project is slated to help commemorate the Rising in time for its upcoming April 2016 centennial, if the projected $6 million funding can be secured. The film is to focus on the role played by Sean MacDiarmada, whom McCann describes as 'the mastermind' of the 1916 uprising. The screenplay is by Colin Broderick, who, like McCann, is a member of TheWildGeese.Irish

There are opportunities for individuals to invest in the film, with a possible return on that investment, according to a Maccana Teoranta fact sheet. Contact McCann via kevin@maccana.ie for more information, or visit facebook.com/1916movie. Irish indie films such as "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" and "Magdalene Sisters" each earned more than $15 million profit, the fact sheet notes.