Press Release……Press Release
Immediate Publication
Cork Film Festival announces Education Programme for Primary Schools
The 51st Cork Film Festival which will run from 8th to 15th October 2006 offers film lovers an exciting programme of events which include big budget films, world cinema, innovative independent films, international documentaries, an Irish showcase and short films from all over the world.
Since the festival’s inception in 1956, the short film has been an integral component. In 2006 the festival continues its love affair with the short by bringing Irish and International Shorts throughout September to primary schools all around Cork city and county. The Shorts in Classroom Programme gives students a memorable insight into the world of filmmaking and the art of the short film.
This year, as part of the festival, students will also have the opportunity to watch a selection of the internationally acclaimed Aardman Shorts which are made by Aardman Studios, world leaders in the art of cartoon animation. This eclectic programme will also include a screening of the colourful and three-times Oscar-winning Wallace and Gromit Shorts. These screenings which are one of the best examples of stop-motion animation, will be one of the highlights of the education programme and should not be missed.
The festival is a great occasion for primary school children to see films which are specifically oriented towards children. A documentary not to be missed is Punam, which tells the life story of Punam Tamang, a nine-year-old girl living in Nepal. Punam’s mother died when she was five and she has to take care of her brothers and sisters while her father works double shifts to afford their schooling fees. The film gives a fascinating insight into the difficult life facing many children in India. To make the experience more unique for students, all accompanying English subtitles will be read out in the cinema as the film screens.
Eoin O Cathain, Educational Officer of Cork Film Festival said
“Our varied and exciting education programme highlights to students of all ages that filmmaking is fun and is an art that is accessible to all. In an effort to help students to embrace the magical world of cinema we will also be running animation workshops which will specifically target primary school children in the Munster region. I encourage students to participate in these interactive and innovative workshops.”
The Festival is a great occasion for primary school children to see feature film which are specifically oriented towards children. This year’s main feature film is “James and the Giant Peach” which tells the captivating story of James whose happy life at the seaside is rudely ended when his parents are killed by a rhinoceros and he goes to live with his horrid aunts. Daringly saving the life of a spider he comes into possession of magic boiled crocodile tongues after which an enormous peach starts to grow in his garden. Venturing inside James befriends a selection of bugs who help with his plan to try to get to New York.
Not to be missed is the Lord Mayor’s Screening where parents and children are invited to attend a unique screening in the Gate Cinema free of charge. This year’s selected film is “Bugsy Malone” which celebrates its 30th anniversary since its original release and tells of the rise of Bugsy Malone and the battle for power between Fat Sam and Dandy Dan. It is a movie for children where all the gangsters are children and instead of real bullets they use splurge guns that cover their victims in cream. This event is a free but ticketed event.
Times and locations of all screenings will be available online at www.corkfilmfest.org and in the Festival Catalogue. Bookings for any of the events or screenings can be made through Eoin Ó Catháin, (021) 427 1711 or email education@corkfilmfest.org. All details on the festival can be found on www.corkfilmfest.org
For further information please contact:
Eimear O’Brien,
Press Officer,
51st Cork Film Festival; October 8-15
Tel: 021 4271711/ 086 8900364
Email: press@corkfilmfest.org
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