As we head into the second week of the 69th Festival, there are many more excellent films and events to experience in the week ahead.
Between Festival screenings, we invite you to explore our Cork Film Trail, which this year is themed around our Disruptors strand, showcasing CIFF’s rebellious and disruptive spirit, just like the city itself.
All Festival tickets and passes are on sale now at corkfilmfest.org and via the myCIFF app
MOMENTUM: THE STIMMING POOL + Q&A
The Stimming Pool (5.15pm, Wed 13th Nov, Triskel):
Co-created by neurodivergent directors from the ‘Neurocultures Collective’ and artist-filmmaker Steven Eastwood, The Stimming Pool is a unique film exploring a world shaped by neurodivergent perspectives.
Co-Director Georgia Bradburn will attend the screening and participate in a post-screening Q&A hosted by Eleanor McSherry (UCC).
This will be a relaxed screening, for more information on accessibility at CIFF, click here.
SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL: THE IMMINENT AGE (L’EDAT IMMINENT)
The Imminent Age (L’Edat Imminent) (3.30pm, Tue 12 Nov, Arc Cinema & 5pm, Sat 16, Arc Cinema):
Directed by a collective of young Catalan filmmakers, The Imminent Age is conceived as a dialogue between generations, balancing the implicit seriousness of its subject with touches of humour.
Read an extract from a review by our Young Programmer, Daniel Noonan:
“Watching immutable, ever-present human struggles – such as the deterioration of aging or the dispiriting process of beginning a job search – being met with, accepted and endured with such good grace is soothing, but also reminds me of something Daniel Day-Lewis once said about his sole objective being “an honest portrayal of a life.” Perhaps that’s all we need from a film.”
Spirit of the Festival Best Film and Best Screenplay nominee
SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL: JULIE KEEPS QUIET
Julie Keeps Quiet (Julie Swijgt) (5.30pm, Wed 13 Nov, Arc Cinema & 4pm, Sun 17, Arc Cinema)
Julie is the star player at an elite tennis academy. When her coach falls under investigation and is suddenly suspended, all of the club’s players are encouraged to speak up. But Julie decides to keep quiet. Why does she and how long can she sustain it?
Belgian newcomer Leonardo Van Dijl impresses with the miraculously coherent way he handles these mysteries. Tessa Van den Broeck is incredible as Julie, both strong and fragile at the same time, determined to make it in professional tennis, while preserving her psychological balance and moral compass.
Shortlisted for the 2025 LUX Audience Award
A FAMILY (UNE FAMILLE)
A Family (Une Famille) (6.15pm, Tue 12 Nov, Arc Cinema & 6.45pm Sun 17 Nov, Triskel):
Eligible both for the Documentary and Lookout (Youth Jury) awards, A Family has floored audiences everywhere since its World Premiere in Berlin and its Irish premiere is an unmissable event.
A cinematographic journey that challenges social norms and family perspectives in dealing with incest.
Read an extract from a review by our Young Programmer Daniel Noonan:
“Not long after finishing Une Famille, while ruminating on the consummately devastating nature of the piece of work I’d just seen, I caught myself in the act; “Well,” I must have thought, “I’ve seen it once now. Once is plenty. I won’t be going out of my way to be in a position to talk – or think – about this any time soon.” It had exhausted me – the unflinching thoroughness with which Angot had examined the thing from every possible angle. But, as I was to realise almost instantly, that was an exhaustion I was prioritising, selfishly, above the entire point of the film. The silence, the disinclination to perpetuate the story, was exactly what she had spent the last 90 minutes working so hard to confront me with.”
SPECIAL PRESENTATION: CAL
40th Anniversary Screening: Cal (8.30pm, Thu 14 Nov, Everyman):
Cal McCluskey, a young man on the fringes of the Republican army, falls in love with a recently widowed local librarian, Marcella, who is unaware of the dark secret which has Cal wracked with guilt.
Featuring the onscreen debut of John Lynch in the titular role, with Helen Mirren giving a performance which landed her a Best Actress award at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival, catapulting her career to the next level, Pat O’Connor’s film is considered one of the finest portrayals of life in Northern Ireland amidst the sectarian violence of the times.
Produced by our Festival Patron, David Puttnam, we are delighted to present the film in a brand new restoration to mark its 40th anniversary.
CORK FILM TRAIL
Someone or something that seeks to challenge the status quo…
Over seven decades, Cork International Film Festival has pushed boundaries in Cork and Ireland, and this year’s Cork Film Trail celebrates cinema and Cork’s rebellious and disruptive spirit. Our vibrant installations draw inspiration from our new strand – Disruptors – spotlighting maverick filmmakers, past and present.
Located at five sites across the city centre, the vibrant installations also include a special tribute to the virtuoso who forged a musical revolution in his native city and became an internationally acclaimed folk hero, Cork’s own Rory Gallagher, complementing the Festival’s: 50th anniversary presentation of Rory Gallagher: Irish Tour ‘74 at 5.30pm on Thursday 14th November at The Everyman.
Between Festival screenings, we invite you to explore our Cork Film Trail, showcasing CIFF’s rebellious and disruptive spirit, just like the city itself.
Cork Film Trail locations:
- ARC Cinema, North Main Street
- The Metropole Hotel – To Have & To Hold, MacCurtain Street
- The Irish Examiner, Oliver Plunkett Street
- Debenhams, Patrick Street
- City Hall Atrium, Anglesea Street
Our Trail map and accompanying short podcasts at each site will guide you on your journey of discovery.
We’ll be hosting our popular Cork Film Trail Quiz during the Festival too – bookings are now open for tables of 6 or 4 at The Pav, 7.30pm on Wednesday 13 November.
The Cork Film Trail is presented by Cork International Film Festival in partnership with Murphy’s and our Creative Partner, Babelfís. It is supported by Cork City Council.
