It’s an honour to be asked to pen a foreword for this year’s festival programme following in a long and distinguished history.

2011 sees the festival celebrate 56 years entertaining the people of Cork. The festival has been through many incarnations during these years but at the heart of the festival there have always been three things that set it apart: the huge local following it continues to enjoy, the variety of cinematic experiences on offer and the unwavering support of the business community and individual patrons.

Cork has been synonymous in particular for the quality of short films on offer but equally for its international flavour. We are delighted to welcome the Ambassador of Romania, who attends for our special Focus on Romania, which will include a special Romanian photography exhibition at Triskel Christchurch and a comprehensive programme of Romanian short film.

Other special events this year will include the Japanese Film Festival which launches in Cork during our Festival, and then continues around the country and an Irish Film Archive screening of Come On Over a film from 1922 – starring Cork actress Kate Price – with live accompaniment

We are promised a packed programme with documentaries, shorts, galas, and features to suit all cinematic tastes.

I have no doubt that 2011 will maintain the consistently high standards the festival has delivered over the years and hope to see as many of the films on offer as my schedule will allow.

Cllr Terry Shannon
Lord Mayor of Cork