The 68th Cork International Film Festival is now open!
Our sold-out Opening Gala screening of Yorgos Lanthimos’ stunning and glorious feature, Poor Things, is taking place at Cork Opera House this evening, marking the first of the many incredible films that will play out over the rest of the Festival.
Explore some of our opening weekend films below and be in with a chance to win brunch for two at Paperboys Cafe and a pair of tickets to Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes at the Triskel this Sunday 12th Nov.
All Festival tickets and passes (including our 5 and 10 Film Cinema Passes) are on sale now at corkfilmfest.org and via the myCIFF app.
IRISH GALA: ONE NIGHT IN MILLSTREET
Our Irish Gala, One Night in Millstreet (8.30pm, Sat 11th Nov, The Everyman), relives the titanic contest that took place in the Green Glens Arena, but also marks the trajectory of the two competitors. The preening, self-regarding, and mentally formidable Super Middleweight Champion, Chris Eubank, and the hungry challenger from Cabra, Steve Collins. Take a ringside seat to the giddy and hype-laden hoopla! One of the best Irish documentaries in recent years, not to be missed.
The Irish Gala will be attended by the filmmakers and special guests, and director Andrew Gallimore will participate in a post-screening Q&A. Also screening as part of Super Cine Saturday (25th November).
In competition for the inaugural CIFF Best New Irish Feature Award, proudly supported by the Irish Examiner. The winner will be announced on Sunday 19 November.
OPENING WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS: BRAVE THE DARK + Q&A WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Based on a true story, Brave the Dark powerfully portrays the transformation of a 1980s small-town teacher as he is drawn into the mysterious past of a student suddenly arrested outside his classroom. Long sustained by a quiet belief that no student is a lost cause, Stan Deen (Jared Harris (Chernobyl, Mad Men)) discovers the profound and direct impact he can have on another life. But as Stan attempts to figure out how troubled, secretive Nate (Nicholas Hamilton (Captain Fantastic, It)) wound up living alone in his car, without any family, their relationship will test his deepest convictions and become a life-changing journey through doubt and betrayal towards trust and redemption (3pm, Sat 11th Nov, The Everyman)
The screening will be followed by an exclusive Q&A with Director Damian Harris, and actors Jared and Jamie Harris (sons of renowned actor Richard Harris) and Nathaniel Deen (on whom the film is based) will be in attendance.
OPENING WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS: ILLUMINATE FILM & MENTAL HEALTH
The Eternal Memory + Panel Discussion
Maite Alberdi’s The Eternal Memory is a tender and unflinching observation of a couple grappling with a husband’s slow descent with Alzheimers. (4.45pm, Sat 11th Nov, Triskel)
This film will be followed by a panel discussion with special guests, hosted by Dr. Johnny Goodwin, Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC
Supported by the Embassy of Chile in Ireland
If Only Night Wouldn’t Fall (Als de nacht maar niet valt)
Other forthcoming highlights include CIFF’s Illuminate film and mental health strand, supported by the HSE, which features Marc Schmidt’s If Only Night Wouldn’t Fall, a unique insight into how Western nations contend with various forms of mental illness. (12.30pm, Fri 10th Nov, Triskel)
DISCOVERY CHOICE: IFI CORK ON CAMERA: FLORA KERRIGAN
IFI Cork on Camera: Flora Kerrigan
Made in 1960s Cork and preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive, these amateur films by Flora Kerrigan, a Summerhill native and pioneer of the early Cork filmmaking scene, tackle existential subjects, from death to desire, through experimental animation and live-action filmmaking (3.30pm, Sun 12th Nov, Triskel)
Dr. Sarah Arnold of Maynooth University tells the Irish Examiner: “The screening at the Cork Film International Festival is an important acknowledgment of Flora’s legacy and also an opportunity to discover more about her work.”
OPENING WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS: SHORT FILM PROGRAMMES
International Shorts 1
We present four magnificent shorts whose strong visual aesthetics and bold presentation of their themes will make for an impactful screening. (10.30am, Sun 12th Nov, The Everyman)
Our Irish Shorts 3 category, Pure Cork (12.45pm, Sun 12th Nov, The Everyman) showcases a collection of eight new works from Cork filmmakers. Playful, experimental and just downright celebratory – in a word, Cork!
The Best Cork Short Award is sponsored by
WIN: BRUNCH & JAZZ
Competition time! This Sunday 12th we’re joining forces with Paperboys Cafe & Garden at the Triskel so you and a lucky pal can enjoy a delicious brunch with coffee/tea. You’ll be able to keep the good times rollin’ with a pair of tickets to Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes, a fascinating insight into the life of Max Roach, legendary jazz drummer, composer, political activist and educator. (Brunch served from 11am, film starts at 1.15pm, Triskel).
Submit your name and email before 5pm this Friday 10th to be in with a chance to win this jazzy prize.
