Foyle Film Festival Kicks Off

Art and the cinema is the main theme embraced by this year's Northern Ireland international film festival, which began at the weeekend.

Held in Derry, the Foyle Festival, now in its 22nd year, is currently celebrating cinema as an art form but also as a magical vehicle that can give audiences an exciting and inspiring glimpse into other worlds.

The festival is renowned for showcasing the best in international and challenging cinema, and this year is no exception.

The opening night film - The Boys Are Back features leading man Clive Owen in the role of a lone parent when his young wife tragically dies, and the closing night introduces this year's foreign language Oscar winner Departures.

Among some of the must-see screenings this year are movie gems such as The Red Shoes, which explores the intense and competitive world of ballet. This Powell and Pressburger classic is widely acknowledged as one of the best films ever made, but also as the perfect example of cinema as an artistic medium.

This years workshops include: Pitching skills and how to break into the film industry with Elliot Grove.

Local girl Orla O'Connor returns to deliver a casting master class for budding actors and renowned Director Kenny Glenaan will also deliver a much-anticipated master class. While First Light, the UK's leading young people’s initiative will host the First Light Networking/Speed Dating Event.

Local talent has not been neglected either, with award winning director Tom Collins’ documentary The Boys of Saint Columb's screening in competition this year. The festival is also delighted also to be screening award winning director Desmond Bell’s documentary MacGill: Tachran gan Todhchai (Child of The Dead End) and a special 20th Anniversary 35mm print screening of Hush-A-Bye-Baby with introduction and an audience with acclaimed filmmaker Margo Harkin.

As part of the festival, the Light In Motion awards will see filmmakers fight it out to win accolades for best international short, best Irish short, best animation and best documentary.

Winners of the LIM award can submit their film for Oscar consideration. Furthermore, this year the festival has been granted BAFTA affiliation, enabling short films to be submitted for the BAFTA Short Film Award.

During recent months, the festival's main nerve centre venue, including the cinema, have been refurbished, with new seating, curtains, screen, sound system and lighting being installed, and an induction loop system to improve access for hard of hearing audiences. Another welcome addition this year is the newly built Creative Learning Centre cinema. Both cinemas feature the latest Blu-ray technology and 7.1 surround sound systems. For more information on the festival visit www.foylefilmfestival.com

(BMcN/BMcc)