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Wexford Documentary Film Festival are continuing their novel home cinema experience to replace the Kilmore Quay-based event, which had to be cancelled due to Covid-19.
The not-for-profit festival usually takes place in the fishing village over a weekend in September, screening local, national and international films with a focus on works that explore social, political and environmental issues, including films that relate to maritime life and coastal communities.
The festival hosts filmmakers from all over the world, bringing locals and visitors together in an intimate village setting.
The organisers worked hard all summer to try and make the festival happen this September but new Covid-19 restrictions recently imposed by the Government meant it could not go ahead.
‘It was a bitter disappointment after all the hard work that had been done. We knew all along there was a possibility that it wouldn’t happen so we had a Plan B. We figured if people couldn’t come to the festival, well thenk we’d bring the festival to them’, said a spokesperson.
In response, the festival created a unique alterntative called Festival at Home whereby people living in County Wexford can order a film from the festival programme and have it delivered free of charge to their doorstep, until the end of October.
‘An important aspect of our festival has always been about the community coming together and we didn’t want to lose that personal touch and connection with our audiences’, the spokesperson said.
The Festival at Home programme features home-grown films, including a selection from Wexford. The Irish filmmakers include Alice McDowell, Frank Sweeney, Ingrid Machado, Ríonach Ní Néill, Simone Tringali, Aron O Dea, Laura Conlon, Karolina Kraus, Byran Duffey, Emmet Sheerin, Al Butler, Dominic Tazer Palmer, Anna McDonagh and Pippa Kinneen
The list covers a wide variety of genre from documentary and animation to experimental artist film. Some of the short films were made entirely during lockdown, demonstrating the spirit and ingenuity of the filmmakers.
The theme of this year’s 3 minute short film challenge was ‘ The Artist as Activist’ which filmmakers explored through different genres with subjects ranging from minority cultures to the absurdity of the art market.
People who book films on the website will have them dispatched free of charge to their doorstep by a member of the Festival team. Keogh crips have kindly donated free gourmet popcorn treats which will be delivered with the film.
‘We’ve had to make changes to our plans in response to the global pandemic.
‘For now, our plans for full festival programme are paused, however we look forward to a time when we will gather together for a shared cinema experience again’, added the spokesperson. To book your delivery goto wexford documentary film festival.ie/cinema-at-home