Press Release……………………………Press Release
Cork Film Festival to pay homage to short films
The countdown is on to the 51st Cork Film Festival.
This annual extravaganza of films kicks off on the 8th of October and will offer film lovers an exciting weeklong programme of events which include big budget films, world cinema, innovative independent films, international documentaries, an Irish showcase and short films from around the world.
Mick Hannigan, Director of the Cork Film Festival said
"This year, the number of short film entries submitted into the Cork Film Festival has exceeded that of all previous years with the festival receiving over 2300 entries. It gives me great pleasure to note that even though the numbers have significantly increased that there has been no let up in the quality of the entrants. I would like to thank all the filmmakers for their continued support of the festival.”
Since its inception in 1956, the short film has been an integral component of the festival. In 2006 the festival continues its love affair with the short by offering short filmmakers the opportunity to compete for several prestigious awards including the award for the Best Irish Short, the award for Best International Short Film, the Gradam Gael Linn for Best Irish-language Short, the Irish Examiner Made in Cork Award and the Outlook Award.
The Cork Film Festival also has the unique honour of being only one of fourteen European Festivals to host the prestigious European Short Film Grand Prix UIP. The Festival has long been a passionate promoter of the short film and it is a reflection of the esteem in which the Cork Film Festival is held internationally that they have been invited to join the short but prestigious list of festivals hosting this award.
Lovers of the short will not be disappointed by the diversity of short films on offer at this year’s festival. Short films will be screened in a wide range of programmes including the Free Radicals Programme where members of the public will view experimental short films and the This Is Our World Programme which is a series of short documentaries about people’s lives. The Outlook Programme will also screen an exciting selection of lesbian and gay shorts.
Last year’s very successful Slow Food Evening will take place again this year. This endeavour brings together food and short film in a unique way. Observing the tenets of the Slow Food Movement, slow food producers will serve up their rare and tasty delights in combination with a series of short films that deal with the joy of food. Of interest is the Irish produced documentary Fowl, which traces the story of chicken from its early days to modern day as a broiler chicken. The film examines western people’s relationship with food and features an interview from Myrtle Allen, of the world famous Ballymaloe Restaurant.
The Cork Film Festival will pay tribute to Jens Jonsson, a multi-award-winning short filmmaker from Sweden. A collection of his unique films will be screened throughout the festival and members of the public will gain a valuable insight into the work of this prolific filmmaker. Jens Jonsson will attend the Festival.
Tickets for all events and the festival catalogue can be purchased from 30 September at the Cork Film Festival Box Office which is situated at 15 Grand Parade, Cork. The festival programme and tickets will also be available online at www.corkfilmfest.org |
