Exciting film festival set to take place in West Cork
A stellar line-up has been revealed for the upcoming Fastnet Film Festival taking place in West Cork later this month.
There will be more than 60 participating guests at this year’s instalment of the hugely popular festival which runs from 24-28 May in Schull.
One of the biggest names to take part will be award winning actor Aidan Quinn who will screen 3 of his feature films, as well as taking the hot seat for ‘The Big Interview’ with Greg Dyke.
The festival also welcomes academy award winning filmmakers Ross White and Tom Berkeley who will screen ‘An Irish Goodbye’ followed by a Q&A with Director Lenny Abrahamson. Tom and Ross will also host the festival’s famous film quiz.
Irish child star Catherine Clinch, the quiet girl herself, will also be taking part in a Q&A following the screening of ‘An Cailín Ciúin’ as part of Irish Language Film Day on Cape Clear. Accompanying Catherine will be several members from the film’s production team, including editor John Murphy, cinematographer Kate McCullough, score Composer Stephen Rennicks, and foley artists Caoimhe Doyle and Jean McGrath.
The Fastnet Film Festival has grown to become a major showcase for Irish and International short film production in recent years and is held in high regard on the national and international scene.
Since its inception, more than 500 short films from more than 40 countries have entered into the competition each year for a share in the festival’s cash prize fund of €45,000.
The festival focuses on the craft of filmmaking, hosting seminars, workshops and masterclasses with industry experts on all aspects of the film industry, including action scenes, editing, casting, auditioning, cinematography, acting, funding, foley artistry, score composition, and regional filmmaking.
This year’s fringe events include live music, drama, book readings and the movie quiz.
Guests to the festival are invited to visit Cape Clear for the Irish Language Film Day and to follow the walking trail around the island, enjoying a curated programme of Irish language short films at various venues. Back by popular demand this year is the outdoor screen in the park where the village will be treated to a free screening of ‘An Cailín Ciúin’ and the academy award nominated ‘Wolwalkers’.
Last week, organisers announced this year’s festival focus is on Ukrainian film with Anna Machukh, executive director, Ukrainian Film Academy; and Daryna Trehubova, Ukrainian actress and TV presenter, bringing a curated programme or Ukrainian films to Fastnet Film Festival 2023.
At last week’s festival launch at the Crane Lane in Cork city, organisers sent a big thank you to the village of Schull for providing an idyllic setting for what is now an internationally acclaimed film festival and for the outstanding encouragement and enthusiasm of the entire community toward this event.
For more, see fastnetfilmfestival.com.