The Cork International Film Festival team have come together to help you enjoy #StayatHomeCinema and experience festival favourites on your small screen with our ‘Daily Dose of Film’ recommendations. As the spread of COVID-19 impacts film festivals globally, we ‘visited’ the recent digital edition of CPH:DOX, and we continue to celebrate new talent through the CIFF Award at First Cut! Youth Film Festival, whilst Creative Europe MEDIA offers lucky winners tickets to the rescheduled Cannes Film Festival.
International Film Festival Circuit: CPH:DOX (Copenhagen International Documentary Festival)
Festival Director of Programming, Anna Kopecká, virtually attended CPH:DOX which, at the last minute, had to be moved from the Danish capital to the internet due to Covid-19: “It was a very strange feeling watching the competition titles in world premiere on my own from my living room, but extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Moving much of the festival online at such short notice was an unbelievable achievement. Whilst nothing matches the live collective festival experience, it was important that those new films had their premiere and are now available for festivals and distribution. I very much hope to meet the great team behind the success of CPH:DOX 2020 in person next year and of course, to bring a selection of the best from CPH:DOX to our audience in Ireland.”
Get Your Daily Dose of Festival Films
At Cork International Film Festival, we love nothing more than the experience of sharing films with you on the big screen but, at this challenging time, we’ve come together to help you stay home and enjoy some festival films from your small screen. Join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for a daily dose of films recommended by members of the CIFF team including Festival award-winners, personal favourites, classics and short films. With thanks to Dynamite Studio Cork for our Daily Dose design!
Watch Short Films for Free
Did you know you can watch festival short films for free from the comfort of your home? 170 Cork library card users have viewed films for free on the AVA EU streaming platform since the library has had to close its doors earlier this month.
If you’d like to check out films from our 2018 and 2019 Festival editions, as well as a feast of more than 80 films from other European film festivals, simply request a token from Cork City Library and login using your Cork library card. Request your token from libraries@corkcity.ie
Win Tickets to Cannes 2020
As a result of the spread of the COVID 19 Virus, the Cannes Film Festival has been postponed. Creative Europe MEDIA are offering you the chance to win tickets to Cannes, once the rescheduled dates have been announced. This is a great opportunity for filmmakers and film lovers to experience this unique event in the international film festival calendar. Simply answer 20 questions about European films correctly by April 30th to be in with a chance to win!
Winner of the Cork International Film Festival Award at First Cut! Youth Film Festival Announced
We were delighted to partner with First Cut! Youth Film Festival for the second year to support emerging filmmakers and celebrate new voices in film. After two days, packed with screenings and workshops for children and young people, First Cut! sadly had to be cut short due to COVID-19.
While our programme of CFF2019 Festival short films for young people in The Regal Cinema was amongst the screenings that was cancelled, we were still able to present the Cork International Film Festival Award to an outstanding young filmmaker, Ross O’ Hara, for his short film ‘Afterimage’:
Upon receiving his Award, Ross commented: “Afterimage is a supernatural horror film about Emily, a young woman who, in the wake of her boyfriend’s death, is forced to relive the dark nature of their relationship when his old camera begins to torment her. Inspired by the MeToo movement, it’s a film about the struggles abuse survivors endure; both internal and external. Having my short film selected for this award is a great honour, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone that helped me tell this story. This is the first short film I’ve put out into the world and the response has been deeply motivating. I’ve wanted to make movies since I first discovered what movies were. I like to think I’m making that kid proud”.
As part of his Award prize, ‘Afterimage’ will now be submitted for consideration for CIFF2020 and Ross will attend our ‘First Take’ Industry Day event for student and emerging filmmakers on November 12th. Congratulations Ross!
Submit your Film to CIFF2020
Submit your film now to be in with a chance to present it at the 65th Cork International Film Festival, Ireland’s first and largest film festival, this November 5th – 15th. CIFF is the only film festival in Ireland to boast a trio of Oscar®-qualifying short film awards – the Grand Prix Irish, International and Documentary Short Film Award winners at CIFF2020 will join the Oscars’® long list. All submissions are viewed twice by our Pre-Selection Viewing Team and our Programming Team. If you need some inspiration, check out our Facebook and Twitter to hear from Irish Director Tristan Heanue, 2019 Grand Prix Irish Short Award winner, on why he chose CIFF to present his film ‘Ciúnas’ (Silence).
Submit your film for consideration for the 65th edition of Cork International Film Festival by May 5th to avail of the regular rates. Submit your Film Now
Enjoy Cultural Experiences from your Couch
To support you in staying at home where possible and following social distancing advice, the CIFF team have gathered some helpful information and resources from local, national and international partners and arts organisations to help you enjoy film and cultural experiences from the comfort of your home. We will update this weekly, so please get in touch if you’d like us to share your online cultural resources.
Support Festival Supporters
Cork has vibrant cultural and business communities and this is a challenging time for us all. Whether you’re looking for the perfect birthday gift for a loved one to look forward to, or planning your own great day out in the city in future, why not support local businesses in Cork by purchasing a voucher from one of our Festival supporters? Here’s some of our favourite ideas:
– Afternoon tea in The River Lee
– A screening at Gate Cinemas
– Bowling at the Mardyke Bowl
