Opening Gala: Lucy Lost

On the edge of a quiet fishing village in the remote Isles of Scilly off the English coast lives a family bound to the sea. Jim and Mary share their home with their son Alfie — and with Lucy, a mysterious 11-year-old girl whose gifts spark suspicion among the villagers. Lucy and her secret imaginary friend, Milly, set off on a magical quest to uncover the secret behind her mysterious powers.

Lucy Lost, based on the Michael Morpurgo book Listen To The Moon, and set during the First World War, is a tale of friendship, courage and belonging. Its extraordinary, unusually sophisticated animation captures both the wild beauty of the sea and the fragile inner world of its heroine, moving seamlessly between reality and dream. Anne-Sophie Versnaeyen’s gorgeous, haunting score completes the spell, lending the film an extraordinary emotional resonance. A luminous, poetic and deeply atmospheric achievement, Lucy Lost is a film to lose yourself in.

Join us for a special 71st Opening Gala + musical celebration and Q&A with director and composer.

Irish Sign Language will be provided by a sign language interpreter during the speeches at the Opening Gala.

There will be a second screening of Lucy Lost at the Arc Cinema at 11.30 on Sunday, 15 November.

____

71st Cork International Film Festival

Opening Gala: Lucy Lost

at the MTU Cork School of Music, Union Quay

Thursday 12th November 2026

Your Gala ticket includes film and pre-reception

Reception from 19:00

Gala screening will start promptly at 20:00

in the Curtis Auditorium of the MTU Cork School of Music

Doors to the Curtis Auditorium open at 19:45

Your ticket/s with your allocated seating and further details will be issued ahead of the Opening Night Gala.

If you have any access requirements, please email: access@corkfilmfest.org

If you cannot attend, please inform boxoffice@corkfilmfest.org at the earliest opportunity so that others can avail of the ticket.