Cork International Film Festival is excited to present the Irish Premiere of Animal, an insightful and moving documentary from filmmaker and activist Cyril Dion, as part of our Green Screen film and discussion strand that explores climate change and the environment through film, encouraging us to reflect and act on humans’ impact on the earth. Green Screen aims to offer a creative platform for debate, a space for freedom of expression, and a collective call to action.
Following the film, there will be a panel of special guests presented in partnership with UCC and moderated by Niamh Guiry, UCC Green Campus Social Media/Communications, who will discuss climate activism, the environment and sustainability. Joining Niamh on the panel will be Alicia O’Sullivan, UCC Student Union Environmental Officer & Activist, with Alannah Wrynn, Chairperson of Cork County Comhairle na nÓg (Youth Council), and Sarah Sheehy, Student Climate Activist.
6pm, Wednesday, 8th June in The Gate Cinemas, Cork City. See below for ticket details, including a special Student ticket rate, and to book.
Synopsis
Teenagers Bella and Vipulan travel to meet with scientists and activists around the world, searching for another way of living alongside other species, as co-habitants rather than predators. Filmmaker and environmental activist Cyril Dion sensitively gives voice to the hopes and fears of these young, passionate activists, as they offer a fresh perspective on the challenges and solutions that face the world.
This screening will be followed by a panel discussion presented in partnership with UCC and moderated by Niamh Guiry, UCC Green Campus Social Media/Communications, exploring issues of climate action and environmental activism and sustainability.
Watch the trailer for Animal here.
Post-Screening Discussion Speakers
Niamh Guiry (Panel Moderator)
UCC Green Campus Social Media/Communications
Niamh Guiry is a climate activist who advocates for a socially just approach to environmental issues. She holds a BSc in Microbiology and an LL.M in Environmental & Natural Resource Law. She works with UCC Green Campus in a Social Media/Communications role and volunteers with Not Here Not Anywhere, a grassroots organisation campaigning to end fossil fuel exploration and the development of new fossil fuel infrastructure in Ireland.
Alicia Joy O’Sullivan
UCC Student Union Environmental Officer & Activist
Alicia Joy O’ Sullivan is a 20-year-old activist and Law student at University College Cork, where she is also the outgoing Environmental Officer. Alicia started her activism journey at the age of 8 and since then has been part of numerous projects, campaigns and groups on many different topics, including sexual education, enhancing youth voice and climate change. Alicia was Ireland’s youth representative at the first UN Youth Climate Summit in New York in 2019, she was Education Officer at the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union in 2020 and represented Ireland and World YMCA at COP26 last year. She now works internationally with Climate US Envoy John Kerry on ‘World War Zero’ and with local campaign groups.
Alannah Wrynn
Chairperson of Cork County Comhairle na nÓg (Youth Council)
Alannah Wrynn is a seventeen-year-old activist, and 5th-year student from Dunmanway, West Cork. Growing up on a farm, the natural world has always played an important role in her life. She is an active member of Fridays for Future Cork where she has campaigned for a just transition to more sustainable methods of food production and protection of Ireland’s biodiversity. She serves as Chairperson of Cork County Comhairle na nÓg (Youth Council) who are currently working on the topic of Gender Equality, and is a delegate of the Irish National Youth Assembly. She has also worked with the YMCA as part of the ‘Future Generations Climate Justice Project’, which works to capture youth voices and educate on the United Nations Sustainable Development.
Sarah Sheehy
Student Climate Activist
Sarah Sheehy is a 17-year-old aspiring climate activist and is a 5th-year student from Annascaul, County Kerry. She has always had a close relationship with the earth as growing up on her grandparents’ farm and watching activists like David Attenbouragh taught her the invaluable and indescribable beauty of nature. She has taken part in the Dingle Hubs climate hack which provided an opportunity to investigate the crisis of energy demand and explore possible decarbonisation options. More recently she was on the RTE programme ‘Change Makers’ discussing the initiative of Dingle 2030 and the importance of a more environmentally sustainable future. She hopes to continue dedicating her life to fighting for a healthy and thriving planet by pursuing a career in environmentalism.
Green Screen: Animal + Panel Discussion Tickets:
- Standard tickets €11 (Conc. €9.50)
- Special student rate €7
- Festival Friends may avail of 20% discount on tickets
