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Galway Film Fleadh to open with unique Italian screening
The 19th Galway Film Fleadh officially opens today at 7.30pm (Tuesday July 10) with the screening of the much anticipated Italian film Red Like the Sky in the Galway Town Hall.
Set in Tuscany in Italy in 1971, the film tells the moving true story of a blind child who fights against everything and everyone to achieve his dreams. With a cast of sightless children, the film is poignant and heart rendering and is inspired by the true story of Mirco Mencacci, one of the most gifted Italian sound editors of all time. The screening will be attended by director Cristiano Bortone and several of the visually impaired children who star in the film.
The 19th Galway Film Fleadh will offer film lovers a weeklong programme of events which include world premieres, classic screenings, Irish and international documentaries, features and shorts. Over 85 films will be screened in four venues all over Galway.
Miriam Allen, Galway Film Fleadh, Managing Director said
“I am delighted to announce the opening of the 19th Galway Film Fleadh and I look forward to 6 days of world class screenings in Galway. Our programme of events is very diverse and exciting and I guarantee that the films won’t disappoint”
The Galway Film Fleadh consistently attracts big names and this year is delighted to welcome Aidan Quinn, Jeremy Irons, Fionnula Flanagan, Terry George and Volker Schloendorff to the city of the tribes. On Saturday (July 14) Fionnula Flanagan will be “In Conversation” with Lelia Doolan while on Sunday (July 15) Jeremy Irons will take part in the Fleadh’s much anticipated public interview. Both events are open to all.
The centre of Galway will be abuzz as outdoor cinema returns to Eyre Square. Festival organisers are encouraging people to avail of the free screenings throughout the Fleadh as much loved films such as When Harry Met Sally, Calamity Jane, Bugsy Malone, Brief Encounter and Carrie will come to live on the big screen. The outdoor screenings will begin on Thursday and will run until Sunday.
The Galway Film Fleadh has long been a passionate supporter of films made in Ireland and this year will showcase an eclectic range of Irish cinematic treats including the Puffball, Saviours, Tonight is Cancelled and Bitterness. Featuring films from all over the world, this year’s line up promises to maintain the rich and fascinating international feature tradition for which the Film Fleadh is renowned. Films to note include La Vida Abismal, A Mighty Heart, Dotcom, The Counterfeitors and House of Sand.
The 2007 selection of documentaries is amongst the strongest the Fleadh has ever hosted. I am a Sex Addict is a comic reconstruction of Caveh Zahedi’s ten year struggle with sex addiction, lovers of jazz should definitely watch Music Inn, one of the best made documentaries on this classical American art form while John and Jane follows the stories of six call agents that answer American 1-800 numbers in a Mumbai Call centre.
The Galway Film Fleadh in association with MOJO (Miscarriages of Justice Organisation) will host a debate entitled Is there Life after Life? The debate which will take place on Wednesday July 11 in the Town Hall Main will discuss the problems faced by the unjustly convicted upon release after serving life sentences and will include world renowned Paddy Hill (Birmingham Six), Gerry Conlon (Guildford Four) and Sunny Jacobs, all who were wrongfully convicted of crimes they didn’t commit.
The shorts programme will showcase an exciting mix of short films, documentaries and animation as over seventy Irish shorts will screen in competition during the Festival. These shorts will be competing for the prestigious awards of Best Irish Short, Best First Irish Short, Best Short Documentary and Best Short Animation. Filmmakers will also compete for the prestigious Stella Artois Pitching Award.
Tickets for all events can be bought from the Galway Film Fleadh Box Office
(Tel 091 569777) which is located in the Galway Town Hall. The Full Festival Programme is available on www.galwayfilmfleadh.com
For further information contact:
Eimear O’Brien,
Press Officer 19th Galway Film Fleadh,
Tel: 091 751655/086 8900364
Email: press@galwayfilmfleadh.com
