The Corona Cork Film Festival announces new dates for its 2009 event, moving two weeks from it’s traditional slot to November 1st to 8th 2009.  
 
Festival Director Mick Hannigan, making the announcement commented  “The September/October period of the global film festival calendar has become  congested in recent years and vying for films about to be premiered in Locarno, Toronto and London; has become increasingly difficult. Moving to November will allow us to programme with more freedom.
 
The Cork festival is committed to programming innovative and independent Irish and International cinema. We look forward to focusing on a true celebration of short films, documentaries and independent cinema in November. We believe the November dates will be attractive to both the national film community and to the festival’s large and loyal local audience.”

Corona Cork Film Festival staff have just returned from hosting an ‘Irish Short Film’ stand at the Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Market. The Irish Short Film project, now in it’s third year, is organised with the support Culture Ireland. The Irish Short Film Stand represented the Irish short film sector to international programmers, buyers and festivals. For the first time, the stand was organised in partnership with Bord Scannan na hEireann/The Irish Film Board, who were represented by short film executive, Fran Keaveney.
 
‘The Herd’ directed by Ken Wardrop and produced by Andrew Freedman, played in Clermont-Ferran’s international competition. Wardrop and Freedman also participated in Euroconnection, the first European Short Film Co-Production Forum,. Also representing Ireland at Euroconnection, were director Vanessa Gildea and producer Martina Durac. Both producers, who were required to pitch short film projects with a view to finding a European co-producer and possible funder, reported strong interest from potential production partners.

(l-r) At the Irish Short Film stand at the Clermont Ferrand Short Film Market: Sanchai Chotirosseranee (Thai Short Film Festival)Amaka Ugwunkwo (The British Council), Mick Hannigan (Corona Cork Film Festival), Fran Keaveney (Irish Film Board).

(l-r) At the Euroconnection Short Film Co-Production Forum: Mick Hannigan (Corona Cork Film Festival), Fran Keaveney (The Irish Film Board), Laurent Crouzeix (Euroconnection), Vanessa Gildea (Director), Martina Durac (Producer).