Young Irish playwright David Gilna has sold the rights to his autobiographical play The Gift Of Lightning to World Picture Films.

The play is based on Gilna’s own experience of being struck by lightning while studying in Boston. It was first staged in Dublin before transferring to the Waterloo East theatre in London.

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The feature film version will be produced on a budget of $10 million. 

In 2010, Gilna was voted rising Irish Playwright by Irish Tatler Magazine and as a Playwright to watch out for in 2012 by Hot Press Magazine.

Jon Thompson, who is producing for World Picture Films, said: “Within minutes of watching the play I could see the film. In years of work in this industry, it is rare to come across a talent like David who has a true electric personality that wins people over instantly.”

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