Discover the story of Cork’s cinematic heritage with the Cork Film Trail.
From the very first Cork International Film Festival in 1956, through seven decades of evolving projector technology, to the famous filmmakers and industry icons who have visited Cork, during the 70th Festival in November 2025, the Cork Film Trail brought he city’s film history to life in a fun and immersive way.
Visitors followed the Trail through iconic locations such as Cork City Hall, ARC Cinema, To Have & To Hold at The Metropole Hotel, The Irish Examiner, Cook Street, Irish Examiner Office (Oliver Plunkett St) and Cork Kent Train Station. Each stop offered short podcasts and QR codes linking to the CIFF Digital Archive, so visitors could dive deeper into Cork’s cinematic past and explore decades of Festival brochures, programme highlights, and quirky historic insights.
You can still listen to our accompanying podcasts here!
Cork City Hall: An Tostal
The origins of CIFF to create the first festival in 1956 and the City’s efforts to celebrate Irish art and culture. Join Barry Monahan, Senior Lecturer in Film Studies at University College Cork, as he recounts the origins and growth of the Cork International Film Festival since its founding in 1956 by Dermot Breen.
To Have & To Hold MacCurtain Street: Projection
Cork International Film Festival is proud to collaborate with Cork Community Media Hub (CCMH), which has generously provided the projectors and some of the cameras displayed. CCMH is a social enterprise that provides services for the community in film-making, production and training. Listen here to the Cork Film Trail’s podcast with Eddie Noonan of Cork Community Media Hub, a former projectionist for Cork International Film Festival, as he shares experience, history of projection and some techniques of filmmaking.
The Irish Examiner Offices: The Miss Movie Girl Competition
The Miss Movie Girl competition was a unique edition to the Cork International Film Festival that added flair and glamour. On display are some images from this event. Preceding this was a contest called the Shandon Belle run by the Cork London society. Frances Philips won this contest with part of her prize; the promise of a trip to the Cork International Film Festival as a guest of honour. At the time in 1968, sadly this was not honoured by the Cork London Society. Listen to Frances Philips fascinating recount of her story and how in 2025 the Cork International Film Festival is to make amends!
Cork Kent Railway Station: In partnership with the Irish Examiner.
Cork Kent Train Station is located in the VQ area of Cork City. Hear from Katherine Fitzpatrick, Director of Destination of the VQ, as she talks about the VQ’s purpose in the business community and how Cork International Film Festival has impacted Cork City and beyond.
The Cork Film Trail was sponsored by
Presented in collaboration with
Supported by
City Hall, Anglesea Street
ARC Cinema, North Main Street
Patrick Street
Cork Kent Train Station
Supported by the Irish Examiner
Oliver Plunkett St.
Supported by the Irish Examiner
To Have & To Hold, The Metropole Hotel, MacCurtain St.
Cook Street
