Take a European cinematic journey with Cork International Film Festival (CIFF) this year as it hosts the CIFF Film Club: European Shorts Season from April to September. CIFF is delighted to welcome audiences in person for a diverse and exciting programme of film shorts from different European countries, comprising films nominated for the European Film Awards (EFA) and programmes curated by its accredited partner festivals from the EFA Short Film Award network (of which CIFF is a member). CIFF’s European Shorts Season will take place on the last Tuesday of each month with partner The Gate Cinema, Cork City.
CIFF Film Club: April
Starting on Tuesday, 26th April at 6pm, the first programme will celebrate both the vibrancy of European culture and reflect the current geo-political environment, with a selection of EFA-nominated shorts, including 2022 Oscar® winner The Long Goodbye co-written by and starring Riz Ahmed in a stand-out performance; poignant Ukrainian film Dad’s Sneakers; and the wryly-observed Beyond is the Day from Poland. Documentaries will also feature in the programme with the Cannes-nominated Displaced from Kosovo; and the powerful and pertinent In Flow of Words from the Netherlands.
CIFF Film Club: May through September
Throughout the European Shorts Season, which runs until September at The Gate Cinema, filmgoers can travel the length and breadth of Europe from the comfort of their seats through invited programmes guest-curated by international film festivals. Forthcoming programmes in the season will include curated selections from the Drama International Short Film Festival, Greece (May); International Short Film Festival of Cyprus (June); Krakow Film Festival, Poland (July); and Film Festival Cologne, Germany (August). The season will conclude in September with a sequel programme of shorts nominated for European Film Awards, selected by CIFF programmers. The full season of monthly programmes will be announced on corkfilmfest.org and on CIFF’s social media channels.
Post Film Club Discussions at the Franciscan Well Bar
As part of CIFF’s monthly Film Club, audiences are invited to join the CIFF team for some convivial and enlightening discussions about European film and more at the Franciscan Well Bar on the North Mall, Cork City following each screening. Film Club-goers can relax over a drink in the legendary vaulted pub and discuss the themes raised in each shorts programme along with members of the CIFF programming team who will also share their thoughts and updates about forthcoming events.
CIFF Festival Director and CEO, Fiona Clark commented: “We are excited to bring our audiences on a cinematic adventure through Europe with these bite-sized gems selected and curated by our expert programmers and our innovative, vibrant partner Festivals. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent tragic events in Ukraine have reminded us that we are all part of a global community, and that film and culture are a vital part of all our lives, whether it’s to offer an escape for the mind, spark discussion or simply to share a fun night out with friends. Providing our audiences with access to European works is a key strategic aim for CIFF and we are delighted to have the opportunity to present this special season in The Gate Cinema in Cork ahead of our 67th Festival in November.”
CIFF Film Club – European Shorts Season Tickets:
- Standard Tickets €11 (Concessions/Students €9.50)
- 3 x Film Club Shorts Season Pass €30 (Concessions €27)
- Full Shorts Season Pass (6 events, April – September) €58 (Concessions €52)
- Student Tickets €9.50; Student 3 x Film Club Shorts Season Pass €25; Student Full Season Pass (6 events) €48
- Festival Friends may avail of concession price tickets
- Please note that pass holders will need to book their individual films in advance
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at corkfilmfest.org and through the myCIFF app.
CIFF Film Club: April Programme
The Long Goodbye (Dir. Aneil Karia) – UK 🇬🇧
Riz Ahmed delivers a standout performance in this overwhelming and explosive experience which places us in the frontline as witnesses to the extreme consequences of what hate speech and racism can ultimately lead to. A visually arresting, rhythmically powerful and thought-provoking slice of dystopia, this film was awarded the Oscar® for Best Live Action Short 2022.
In Flow of Words (Dir. Eliane Esther Bots) – Netherlands 🇳🇱
In Flow of Words follows the narratives of three interpreters of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. They interpreted shocking testimonies from witnesses, victims and perpetrators, without ever allowing their own emotions, feelings and personal histories to be present. Contrary to their position at the tribunal, this film places their voices and experiences centre stage.
Beyond is the Day (Dalej Jest Dzień) (Dir. Damian Kocur) – Poland 🇵🇱
Somewhere in Europe, somewhere in Poland lives Paweł – a simple man working on a small river ferry close to his village. He spends most of his day taking the villagers to the other side of the river. Every day looks the same, but one day he notices somebody traversing the river by swimming. This person is Mohammad, an immigrant from Palestine. There is finally somebody Paweł can talk to.
Displaced (Pa Vend) (Dir. Samir Karahoda) – Kosovo 🇽🇰
In post-war Kosovo, driven by the ambition of keeping their beloved sport alive, two local players wander from one obscure location to another carrying with them the only possession of the club: their tables. The film premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, in competition for the Short Film Palme d’Or.
Dad’s Sneakers (Dir. Olha Zhurba) – Ukraine 🇺🇦
An immersive insight into the last hours of 13-year-old Sasha’s life in a boarding school for children deprived of parental care. He is one of the lucky ones: an American family has finally adopted him. Today he will move to another country forever, although something is holding him back.
