The 66th Cork International Film Festival is now on!
Thank you to our amazing audience, volunteers and supporters for a phenomenal Opening Gala last night with Ali & Ava at The Everyman and to the film’s producer Tracey O’Riordan for participating in a Q&A (see above). Read on to find out more about upcoming programme highlights and festival guests.Ticket capacities are limited for all films and selling fast, so visit corkfilmfest.org or download the myCIFF app to book your tickets.
To the Moon + Filmmaker Q&A (Sunday, 7th Nov, 7pm)The latest film work from Tadhg O’Sullivan (The Great Wall; UCC Filmmaker in Residence 2021) is a poetic meditation on the moon. Tadhg will participate in a post-screening Q&A.
Where the Merrows Roam + Filmmaker Q&A (Sunday, 7th Nov, 8.45pm)A film about the endless, carefree days of childhood, the beauty of nature, and the transience of both from West Cork filmmaker Colin Hickey who will join us for a post-screening Q&A.
Visions of Ireland + Filmmaker Q&A (Sunday, 7th November,12:30pm)We’re delighted to present a special screening of two short films by female directors. To the Western World, the first film by Anglo-Irish director Margy Kinmonth which screened in Cork four decades ago and tells the story of a journey made by playwright JM Synge and artist Jack B Yeats to Galway and Mayo in 1905.
Engagement and Endurance: Cork City Women in the 1920s focuses on the hitherto-overlooked role played by Cork women in the events of the 1920s. Image: Engagement and Endurance
The Last September (Sunday, 7th November, 3:15pm)Set in Danielstown, Cork, during the War of Independence, Sir Richard and Lady Myra reside in their country estate with their high-spirited niece, Lois (Keeley Hawes), a young Anglo-Irish girl who rejects the love of respectable British soldier Gerald (David Tennant) in favour of Peter, an IRA soldier sheltering in the grounds of the country estate. Depicting a dying class of people during changing times, this first feature film by celebrated theatrical director, Deborah Warner – which received its Irish premiere in Cork two decades ago – showcases a wealth of talent (Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon) in John Banville’s adaptation of Elizabeth Bowen’s eponymous novel.
Compartment No. 6 (Hytti Nro 6) (Saturday, 6th November, 4.30pm)Juho Kuosmanen’s Cannes Grand Prix-winner is delightful, funny and warm enough to thaw even the coldest climes. “A film that eventually leads us to this point: joy” (Le Monde)
The Eyes of Tammy Faye (Saturday, 6th November, 7.30pm)An intimate look at the extraordinary rise, fall and redemption of controversial televangelists Tammy Faye Bakker (Jessica Chastain in a career-defining performance) and her husband Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield). Jessica Chastain as “Tammy Faye Bakker” in the film The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Photo courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2021 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved
A Mouthful of Air (Sunday, 7th November, 4.45m)Director and writer Amy Koppelman follows up her first feature I Smile Back with another adaptation of one of her novels. Based on her 2003 book of the same name, A Mouthful of Air follows Julie Davis (Amanda Seyfried), a bestselling children’s author with a small, loving family. But following the birth of her second child, dark secrets from Julie’s past come to the fore and, with them, a battle to survive.
See also: CIFF’s Illuminate Film & Mental Health screenings: The First Woman, The Hive and Looking for Horses.
Jane by Charlotte (Jane par Charlotte) (Sunday, 7th November, 5.15pm)Jane by Charlotte is an intimate portrait of the famous singer Jane Birkin by her daughter, actress Charlotte Gainsbourg. More a dialogue between mother and daughter than a portrait of a famous mum by her famous daughter, this poetic and very personal documentary is full of intimate moments and emotions that are rarely shared in front of the camera. An artful, playful and very real documentary about music, love, life and family.
In partnership with the French Embassy in Ireland
Lyra (Irish Premiere) (Sunday, 7th November, 7:00pm)
Lyra McKee rose from her working-class roots in war-torn Belfast to become an internationally renowned investigative journalist. In 2019, Lyra was murdered by dissident Republicans. Using hours of voice recordings from Lyra’s own mobile, computer and dictaphone, BAFTA-winning director (and close friend of Lyra) Alison Millar has crafted a beautiful and heartfelt film which allows Lyra to tell her own story.We are delighted to welcome Simon Coveney, T.D., Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence who will introduce this screening. (Sunday, 7th November, 7:00pm)
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our CIFF Trail of Discovery at venues around Cork city.
Showcasing treasures from the Festival’s pioneering history, including photos, posters, brochures, correspondence and newspaper clippings from CIFF’s Digital Archive, and complementing our celebration of ground-breaking female filmmakers in our Female Visions retrospective, there will be lots to explore on the Trail of Discovery, including CIFF’s commission of Crashers, a bespoke new artwork from Cork-based digital media artist and Sample-Studios Graduate Artist-in-Residence Elinor O’Donovan, and stunning costumes from the Irish Costume Archive Project.
So, catch a film, and then wander along our Trail of Discovery (follow our online map and listen to our podcasts on the myCIFF app or on corkfilmfest.org), soaking up the Festival atmosphere and enjoying the finest hospitality Cork has to offer.CIFF’s Trail of Discovery is sponsored by Murphy’s and supported by the Irish Costume Archive Project, The Gate Cinemas, The River Lee Hotel, and The Metropole Hotel.
