Olivier Clert’s Lucy Lost – based on the Michael Morpurgo novel Listen to the Moon – premiered at the 71st Cork International Film Festival’s Opening Gala tonight, Thursday 12th November, where Cork-born actor Éanna Hardwicke received the prestigious Honorary Puttnam Award for his contribution to cinema.
Thursday 12th November, Cork City: Cork International Film Festival (CIFF) opened its 71st edition tonight with a special gala screening of Lucy Lost, welcoming its director Olivier Clert and composer Anne-Sophie Versnaeyen along with special guests and audiences to celebrate the beginning of 11 days of cinema in Cork.
Audiences were captivated by the exquisite animation and evocative original score by Versnaeyen as well as a special musical presentation from students of MTU Cork School of Music.
The evening marked a return to Cork for Glanmire-raised actor Éanna Hardwicke, who was presented with the prestigious Honorary Puttnam Award. Hardwicke attended last year’s Opening Gala, with Saipan opening the landmark 70th Festival, and his latest film, Ancestors, directed by David Turpin, will premiere at The Everyman on Friday 20 November.
Speaking of his Award, Hardwicke said: “I fell in love with acting in Saturday classes inside in the South Parish Community Centre. As a teenager, under the outstanding teachers at the MTU Cork School of Music, I realised this is what I wanted to spend my life doing. I feel blessed to have grown up in this city and to have gotten the rich theatre education I did here. To return to the South Parish, to the MTU Cork School of Music, a building that has a very special resonance to me, and to receive this Honorary Puttnam Award, named after David Puttnam, Cork International Film Festival Patron – who has played such a seismic role in art and cinema in this city – is a great honour. I’m looking forward to this wonderful film festival taking over the city for the next two weeks.”
CIFF Director & CEO Fiona Clark spoke to the packed auditorium, saying, “My sincere congratulations to Éanna Hardwicke on receiving this prestigious award. We were delighted to welcome him back to Cork for our Opening Gala and to celebrate his remarkable contribution to Irish cinema. He is an actor of immeasurable talent and versatility, who has already amassed a prestigious canon of work and whose star continues to rise. It is particularly special to welcome him back this year, and we look forward to hearing from him at his ‘In Conversation’ at the Arc Cinema tomorrow.”
Clark continued: “Lucy Lost is a beautiful and deeply moving film, with a wonderful sense of imagination and humanity at its heart. Olivier Clert’s luminous animation, combined with Anne-Sophie Versnaeyen’s evocative score, makes it a truly special choice to open this year’s Festival. Presenting this work to audiences in the Curtis Auditorium, a centre of creative excellence, and the involvement of MTU Cork School of Music students make tonight’s celebration all the more meaningful. We are thrilled to be launching 11 days of extraordinary cinema, conversation and shared experiences across Cork.”
Beyond the Opening Gala, the Festival’s programme continues across Cork, including at the Granary Theatre, a new Short Film Hub this year. Audiences can enjoy nine programmes of Irish and International short films, many in competition for the Festival’s three Academy-Award-qualifying awards, alongside When Sally Met Harry Live: A Theatre Experiment, a special collaboration with UCC’s Department of Theatre. Taking inspiration from the much-loved romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally, the playful live performance challenges the film’s ideas around love, friendship and relationships.
The Opening Weekend also offers audiences direct access to filmmakers, artists and special guests through the Festival’s talks and Q&As. Among the highlights is a post-screening conversation for A Prayer for the Dying on Saturday, 14 November, with director Dara Van Dusen and award-winning Irish cinematographer Kate McCullough.
The Festival’s new The Bigger Picture strand spotlights key themes and extended panel discussions, while a special presentation of Cinema of Foresight will see The Irish Times’ film critic Donald Clarke and filmmaker Paul Duane explore cinema’s ability to anticipate the forces shaping our future in a lively exchange of views (free but ticketed).
Other highlights include If Pigeons Turned to Gold, followed by a conversation exploring addiction and inherited family patterns with filmmaker Pepa Lubojacki and special guests; Derek vs Derek, followed by a discussion on sustainable agriculture and the future of our soil; and Plan C for Civilization, which will prompt a timely conversation about the possibilities and risks of emerging climate technologies. Additionally, What Does Art Have To Do With It?, gives a platform to German contemporary artist Vika Kirchenbauer at the Granary Theatre on Sunday 15 November, exploring the role of art in challenging hypocrisy and political extremism.
Best New Irish Feature Award, supported by the Irish Examiner, will showcase acclaimed Irish filmmakers and films; in addition to Ancestors, feature films include: Louise Bagnall’s Julián (Animation Gala, Sun 22 Nov, MTU Cork School of Music); Sophie Fiennes’ The Pervert’s Guide to Utopias (Sat 21 Nov, Arc Cinema); Kieron J. Walsh’s Skintown (Thu 19 Nov, Everyman), Alexander Murphy’s Tin Castle (Sat 14 & 18 Nov, Triskel), Adriaan McCarthy’s Whiddy (Fri 20 Nov, Everyman). Filmmakers will be in attendance and will participate in Q&As after each presentation.
With more than 200 films and events across its 71st edition, Cork International Film Festival continues until Sunday, 22 November, bringing a diverse programme of Irish and international cinema, special guests and unique shared experiences to Cork.
All tickets are on sale now at corkfilmfest.org and the MyCIFF app. For the full programme, tickets and further information, visit www.corkfilmfest.org or download the myCIFF app.
