CORK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OPENS LANDMARK 70TH EDITION WITH
Irish premiere of highly anticipated SAIPAN
With lead actor Éanna Hardwicke in attendance, along with co-star Alex Murphy and filmmakers Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn
70th Festival takes place Thursday 6th to Sunday 16th November across Cork city and county
Thursday, November 6th, Cork City. Cork International Film Festival officially opened its 70th Edition with a sold-out Opening Gala screening of the Irish premiere of Saipan, starring Éanna Hardwicke and Steve Coogan, in The Everyman Theatre. Lead actor Éanna Hardwicke was in attendance to introduce the film along with filmmakers Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn.
The Opening Night presentation combined the Irish premiere of Saipan with the unveiling of a 1965 archive film made about the Festival by Pádraig Ó Maidín – restored by the Irish Film Institute and presented to highlight the milestone anniversary of the Festival – along with special awards presentations.
Cork-born Saipan actor Éanna Hardwicke said “Saipan having its Irish premiere in Cork feels a full circle moment for many reasons. My relationship with the Cork Film Festival stretches back. My grandfather Paddy McCarthy was a member of Cork Film Club, back when the Festival was conceived. I remember him speaking about censorship at the time and what films had been banned.”
He continued, “Watching the 2002 World Cup in Cork with my family is one of my earliest memories. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be making a film about this iconic event – one that in its own strange way came to say so much about Ireland at the millennium – and showcasing it in my home city. It is a tremendous honour, and I am looking forward to stepping into the beautiful Everyman Theatre, which has been such a formative part of my life, and bringing the film home.”
CIFF Director & CEO Fiona Clark spoke to the packed auditorium, saying, “Welcome to the 70th Cork International Film Festival, and what a wonderful way to launch our landmark edition. Saipan is – and was – a big deal, and we are thrilled to welcome the directors, cast and crew of this exceptional film to present the Irish premiere to our Cork audience tonight and to officially launch this very special 70th edition. Seventy years on, we share our founders’ vision of delivering an extraordinary experience both for and with the residents of and visitors to Cork, upholding the promise of our name: firmly rooted in Cork, but open and welcoming to the world, celebrating film in all its kaleidoscopic forms, and bringing people together in a shared Festival experience. As the current custodians of this cherished Cork cultural institution, we hope that our programme of over 200 films, special events, plus the opportunity to meet and share in transformative experiences will engender a shared pride in this Festival and in this City. Thank you for joining us on this continued cinematic journey of discovery.”
The Festival continues this strong opening throughout its first weekend, with the Irish premiere screening of two Richard Linklater features: Blue Moon, starring Ethan Hawke and Andrew Scott, and Nouvelle Vague, and the sold-out Irish premiere of awards contender Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier and starring Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning.
Among many Irish and international filmmakers greeting audiences during ‘In Conversation’ events across the Opening Weekend of the Festival is one of the most prolific Irish film producers, Ed Guiney of Element Pictures, who will take part in a career interview on Sunday 9th in Triskel Arts Centre. Legendary multi-award-winning Irish costume designer Joan Bergin takes part in another ‘In Conversation’ event on Friday 7th November in The Arc Cinema, hosted by filmmaker Hannah Quinn in partnership with Women in Film and Television (WFT). A special presentation on Fri 7th November of Defence of the Realm is followed by a discussion between Academy Award®-winning film producer and educator, David Puttnam, and multi-award-winning actor Gabriel Byrne.
The Irish Examiner proudly supports the Best New Irish Feature Award, which showcases acclaimed Irish filmmakers and films which are either fully Irish in story and production or in collaboration with talent from across the world. In addition to Saipan, feature films included this year are: Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon which will be introduced by actor Simon Delaney (Sat 8th November, Everyman); Dennis Harvey and Lars Lovén’s Celtic Utopia (Sat 8th November, Everyman, followed by a post-screening gig – DOSE x Útóipe Cheilteach – at The Kino, Washington St., Cork); Brendan Canty’s world premiere documentary Gealtra (Fri 7th November, Everyman); and Akinola Davies Jr’s My Father’s Shadow (Sun 9th November, Arc Cinema). Filmmakers will be in attendance for each presentation.
The Festival maintains its variety across multiple strands and formats, with the Opening Weekend also premiering eight Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland shorts on Saturday 8th. There will be films for families and young people, including a dog-friendly Family Gala screening of the beloved Lady and the Tramp (also marking its 70th anniversary this year). Across the rest of the Family strand, from adventures in Japan to tender tales of growing up, plus, for younger film fans, live narration by actor and writer Hilary Rose in Tales from the Magic Garden (Sat 15th, Everyman), the curated selection of films will open doors to new worlds for audiences of all ages.
All tickets are on sale now at corkfilmfest.org and the MyCIFF app.
The 70th Cork International Film Festival will run from Thursday 6th to Sunday 16th of November, 2025. For more information and to view the full programme, and to stay up to date with the latest news and programme announcements, visit corkfilmfest.org.
