James Flynn, Irish producer on The Banshees of Inisherin, dies at 57

A co-producer behind one of the favourites to scoop multiple awards at the Oscars has suddenly died.

James Flynn developed and produced a number of critically acclaimed and award-winning productions including Irish dramas Love-Hate and Kin, Tomato Red, and the Academy Award nominated The Door.

James Flynn, who recently co-produced Oscar favourite “The Banshees of Inisherin,” has died age 57.

The Irish film producer remained “courageous, dignified, and positive to the very end,” friends said.

A cause of death has not yet been revealed.

A statement issued by Metropolitan Films, the company he founded with his wife Juanita Wilson, said Mr Flynn died peacefully on Saturday morning after a short illness.

“All of us in Metropolitan Films are deeply saddened by the passing of our esteemed co-founder, colleague and great friend James Flynn who departed peacefully … with his wife Juanita Wilson and children Alex and Anna by his side,” it read.

“No words can adequately describe the immense contribution James has made to the Irish film and television industry over three decades on both a national and international level.

“He willingly and generously gave his advice and guidance to all who sought his counsel, from young emerging filmmakers to established Irish and international industry practitioners.

“James fought his recent illness with courage, dignity, and positivity to the very end. For that reason we are acutely aware that the news of his passing has been an unexpected shock for all of us.”

James Flynn developed and produced a number of critically acclaimed and award-winning productions including Irish dramas Love-Hate and Kin, Tomato Red, and the Academy Award nominated The Door.

Banshees of Inisherin, which has received a staggering 10 BAFTA nominations and stars Colin Farrell, will go up against the likes of All Quiet on the Western Front, Everything Everywhere all at Once and Triangle of Sadness in at the prestigious awards on Sunday.

Early in his career, Mr Flynn was appointed as head of development at John Boorman’s Merlin Films International.

Later he co-founded Metropolitan Film Productions Limited with wife Juanita Wilson in 1997, before establishing Octagon Films in 2002, developing and producing films for the international market.

Between 1993 and 1997, he served as the business manager and then deputy CEO of the Irish Film Board (now Screen Ireland).

Mr Flynn’s various credits include Alan Parker’s “Angela’s Ashes,” “Veronica Guerin,” Wilson’s Oscar-nominated “The Door” and ground-breaking animation “The Secret of Kells.”

The Director’s Guild is deeply saddened by the passing of producer James Flynn, a huge loss to the industry and our thoughts are with his family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/eyDZlZZ2iF

— SDGI (@screendirectors) February 12, 2023

Ed Guiney, who worked with him on 1998 film Sweety Barrett, paid tribute to his late colleague.

“James was a wonderful person, a brilliant producer – he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of film and was the smartest of all of my generation of producers,” he said.

“He made massive contributions to the industry at the Film Board, as a member of Screen Producers Ireland and as a producer.”

Originally published as James Flynn, Irish producer on The Banshees of Inisherin, dies at 57