Also in Kilmore Quay, a fab festival for film fans
Excitement is building about the 4th annual Wexford Documentary Film Festival taking place in the picturesque fishing village of Kilmore Quay over the weekend of Friday September 9 to 11. Award-winning national and international films will be screened with an emphasis on documentaries that explore social, political and environmental concerns along with a number of artist films and a three-minute film challenge submission.
Most of the film viewings will be in the Stella Maris community centre but there will also be off-site screenings in unique locations around the village and a number of family friendly films suitable for younger audiences.
All events are open to the public and admission is free to films, workshops, talks and also post-film discussions with filmmakers.
The festival is a not for profit event run by a volunteer committee that aims to show the best documentary films both national and international. and among this year’s offerings are Atlantic, Everyday Rebellion, Granny Power, Have You Seen the Arana, Hit and Stay, Life is Waiting, Picking up the Threads, Razor Fish, Song of the Sea, The Divide, The Hand That Feeds and We Are Legion.
Among the local film makers involved are Michael Fortune and Terence White while other locally made productions by Wexford based groups will also be shown.
The theme of the 2016 festival is ‘Revolution and Revolt Past and Present’ and a selection of big screen events will examine the theme from a number of interesting perspectives.
Andi McGarry, one of the organisers said the festival is delighted to collaborate with Cinema Politica, the worldwid network which screens independent political documentaries for free. ‘ This makes it a truly inclusive affair and allows people the opportunity to see some great films,’ he said. The award-winning composer Liam Bates of Kilmore Quay, pictured below, will present a workshop on the magical effects of music in film on Sunday, September 11, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Stella Maris Centre. His own film credits include Last Passenger starring Dougray Scott; Earthbound starring Rafe Spall and David Morrissey; Ghostwood, a horror movie with Patrick Bergin; Razor Fish starring Brenda Fricker; Show Girls directed by Paul Verhovan; Circle of Friends with Chris O’ Donnell, Colin Firth and Minnie Driver; Don Juan De Marco starring Johnny Depp and Marlon Brando and The shell Seekers with Vanessa Redgrave. Dubliner Helen Williams who wrote the short film Razor Fish inspired by her long association with Kilmore Quay, will present a workshop on Saturday, September 10 from 5 pm to 6 pm. The film which won was a semi-finalist in Cannes and won awards in several international film festivals including Houston, Los Angeles, Palm Springs and Kansas will be shown downstairs in the Stella Maris Centre after the workshop. To book a workshop place email info@wexforddocumentaryfilmfestival.ie, leave details in Stella Maris Centre or telephone 085 1561590. There is no age limit and no experience required. This year’s sponsors include Sofrimar, Cinema Politica, Wexford County Council, Apostolatus Maris, Arachas Insurance, Kilmore Seafoods, Douglas Wallace and Mace.