Festival celebrates 15 years

Popcorn at the ready as there’s more than 200 free films to see in Youghal next month.

It’s part of this year’s Youth Film Festival (FCYFF) which will showcase the talent of new and emerging Irish and international young filmmakers. This vibrant festival, now in its 15th year, provides 12-25 year olds with a platform to screen their films, to take part in film workshops and to listen to discussion panels led by film experts working in the industry. All screenings and talks will take place in the Regal Cinema.

Festival Director Mary Mc Grath said: “As the director of this Youth Film Festival, I am delighted once again this year to witness the incredible creativity and dedication to filmmaking displayed by young emerging filmmakers. This festival is a celebration of their unique voices, showcasing the power of storytelling. Through the eyes of these talented young filmmakers, we get a glimpse of their perspectives, how they view the world.”

As part of the School’s and Youth Groups Programme, more than 40 primary and secondary schools from all over Ireland will screen short films of all genres.

Also, for the past few months, 12 Schools and 350 students in Youghal and Midleton along with the Greywood Arts Youth Group have taken part in Animation workshops facilitated by Animation Artists Belinda Walsh and Lisa McDonald. The young people have created short new animated films which will all screen at the Festival.

Through the festival’s Athrú Amháin Project, FCYFF has hosted a series of Irish Language workshops on filmmaking where young people have been tasked with creating a short film in Irish about climate change and the environment. Approximately 30 Irish Language short films will screen at the Festival, four of these will come from students from Pobalscoil na Trionoide, Youghal, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire, Gaelscoil Ghoirt Alainn, Mayfield and Coláiste Ghobnatan, Baile Mhic Íre.

The festival runs from 4-9 March. See Firstcutfilmfestival.com for more.