IndieCork gets in on the city's film scene

LAUNCHED earlier this week, the inaugural IndieCork Film Festival (Oct 16-20) is very much a showcase for independent films. It includes seven Irish premieres, consisting of three feature films, two documentaries, one experimental film and an anthology of Cork-themed films entitled ‘Cork, Like’. There are two ‘Creative Cork’ programmes, featuring 20 short films from established and first-time local filmmakers.

One of these filmmakers is the talented Mark Cogan, who has shown the first two instalments of his trilogy at the Cork Film Festival over the last couple of years. The third part The Handsome Shadows will be screened at IndieCork.

The founder of the festival, Mick Hannigan, former director of the Cork Film Festival hopes the city can sustain two festivals. The Cork Film Festival takes place in November. There will be some crossover of short films to be screened at both festivals.

Hannigan believes IndieCork is meeting a niche market. “There needs to be a festival dedicated to independent cinema in Ireland because it is very much an emerging scene here. People can now make films for very little money as long as they have cameras and editing equipment. We’re a good platform for those film makers. We will also have a lively independent music programme at the Crane Lane as part of the festival. One of the models we’re looking at in terms of festivals is SXSW (South by South West) which is a festival of cinema and music in Austin, Texas.”

Despite October being a busy month in Cork with the Folk Festival and the Jazz Festival, Hannigan’s gut instinct tells him there are enough people around Cork interested in what he’s doing. “It’s inevitable that people will be forced to plump for one or other of the film festivals. But I’m thrilled with our programme. Things have fallen into our laps which we never expected.”

The three Irish feature films, Trampoline, Limp and Sodium Party are from first-time feature directors. “We turned down about 10 features so it’s not as if we’re showing whatever was sent to us. The great thing about the three films is that there isn’t a criminal or a drug dealer in them. That sort of thing is a cliché of Irish film at this stage.”

The feature films were made for less than €10,000 collectively. “You might think that these would therefore be low quality films. They’re not; they look splendid. Each one has a beautifully composed soundtrack. They are, in their different ways, imaginative, and made by directors with a specific vision. But for IndieCork, they wouldn’t be seen anywhere else.”

IndieCork, run on a voluntary basis, is sponsored by Seven Windows Brewery, a new local craft brewery owned by publican Benny McCabe and his wife, Cliona. The festival has been given free office space by the Other Place and there is much goodwill towards it, says Hannigan. In all, the festival has a budget of about €40,000.

“The thing about a low budget festival is that you can take risks. You don’t have producers or investors looking over your shoulder and wanting to make the festival audience friendly. You can give expression to your own vision. I think there’s an audience for that. Of course, in film, you have the big blockbusters but I think people are looking for a more authentic and personal expression. We sort of fell into the indie thing. We admire IndieLisboa in Portugal. It’s a model we’re following.”

Screenings will take place at the Gate Cinema on North Main Street, Triskel Christchurch and the Camden Palace arts centre. There will also be film industry events. Matt Grady, founder of Brooklyn-based Factory 25, will be attending the festival. He will be introducing four films and will speak about the work Factory 25 does in finding audiences for independent films.

“Factory 25 is really good at promoting and selling independent cinema,” says Hannigan. “They do it in very imaginative ways. They’re like the collectors of vinyl records where the album is an art object in itself. When you buy a DVD from Factory 25, it’s elaborately packaged with things like the poster of the film. They’re very clever with their design and marketing. We want Matt to tell film producers how independent films can reach audiences.”

American director Ronald Bronstein will also attend to introduce his controversial Frownland, made in 2007. “The New Yorker declared it to be one of the most unusual and audacious American independent films ever made,” says Hannigan.

Hannigan says, “This is what independent film should really be about. The people in the film are not attractive. They’re people you’d avoid in real life if you came across them. They’re portrayed as freaks; they’re crazy people really. The camera work is so close to the faces that you can see pimples. There is no beautification of these actors. I think that’s what throws audiences.”

Masterclasses for aspiring filmmakers include screenplay writing with Pat McCabe, and directing with Shimmy Marcus.

At the Triskel on Oct 18, food producers will serve up their wares to the audience who will then be treated to food-related short films. Among the films will be the world premiere of food blogger Imen McDonnell’s film, Small Greene Fields, about Irish artisan food personalities.

IndieCork is a common ownership arts organisation. So far, there are 80 shareholders. Hannigan hopes to increase that during the event.

“It’s very much a fan-owned festival. The board of the festival for 2014 will be elected from the shareholders. It’s democratic and transparent. Membership is €90. I don’t feel that’s onerous. I’m on the dole and I pay €7.50 per month for my membership. Those who take out membership will have a say in the direction of the festival.”

While Hannigan admits that audience loyalties may be torn between the Cork Film Festival, from which he and IndieCork co-founder Una Feely were let go earlier this year, his focus is now elsewhere.

“All I’m concerned with now is that we meet our box office targets.”

*www.indiecork.com.