Cork International Film Festival: Seventy years of stories — and ambition for the future
Fiona Clarke, Director of the Cork Film Festival pictured in the Cork Opera House.
This year marks a special milestone: the 70th edition of the Cork International Film Festival (CIFF).
Established in 1956, CIFF is Ireland’s oldest and largest film festival, a celebration not only of cinema but of Cork itself.
Seventy years represents more than a number; it stands for seven decades of creativity, civic support, loyal audiences, and almost 14,000 films that have premiered here.
For many filmmakers, their journey begins at our festival. Over the years, CIFF has become a cultural anchor, a place where stories spark conversations, broaden perspectives, and connect us through shared experience. Culture connects us. Stories unite us.
Although deeply rooted in Cork, CIFF has always been open to the world. That spirit of exchange has been there from the beginning.
In 1956, Cork was awarded official international film festival status by the Congress in Cannes, one of only a handful of cities worldwide to receive it.
From Cannes to Cork, and on to Hollywood, our festival has continued to grow, and today we are proud to present three Oscar®-qualifying awards.
This anniversary year is also a time to rediscover our cinematic heritage. Throughout November, visitors can explore the Cork Film Trail, which traces the intertwined history of film and the city through landmarks, stories, and screenings.
I feel honoured to serve as director of this grande dame of festivals and to play a part in its continuing journey.
Our founder, Dermot Breen, had extraordinary vision. His determination and passion transformed an ambitious idea into a lasting legacy for Cork.
As custodians of that legacy, we strive to uphold his spirit through a carefully curated programme that continues to inspire pride, imagination, and connection.
Our 70th-edition programme is one of our most dynamic yet, filled with Irish and international features, documentaries, and shorts, all presented in thematic strands to guide audiences through a wealth of choice.
We are welcoming a record number of filmmakers and special guests this year, ensuring screenings come alive through introductions, discussions, and shared discovery.
We are also honouring two great figures of cinema. Our Patron David Puttnam receives CIFF’s inaugural Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Gabriel Byrne, while John Boorman is recognised with the Honorary Disruptor Award, presented by actor Cherie Lunghi.
Their work continues to inspire audiences and filmmakers alike.
The festival opens with Irish feature Saipan, starring Cork’s own Éanna Hardwicke. It will launch the celebrations in style at our opening gala, attended by more than 60 members of its cast and crew.
Film and music share a natural harmony, and this year’s programme celebrates that connection in exciting new ways. explores Ireland’s evolving folk scene — music as both a record of the past and a dream for the future, followed by a live performance by DOSE at the Kino.
Brendan Canty’s , filmed in Cork’s own Kabin Studio, captures the energy of young artists mentored by rapper and spoken-word performer Séamus Barra Ó Súilleabháin.
They will take to the Everyman stage after the world premiere for a post-screening performance that promises to be unforgettable.
Another world premiere, by Pádraig Trehy, tells the story of an amnesiac clown adrift in 1960s Ireland.
Presented as a Cine-Concert, it features a live performance of John O’Brien’s original score, a striking fusion of visual storytelling and music.
For something entirely different, Music For Domes offers a multi-sensory journey through sound, folklore, and celestial imagery, presented inside a 360° planetarium dome. It’s cinema as you’ve never experienced it before.
One of my favourite aspects of CIFF is creating imaginative experiences that extend beyond the screen.
Our Culinary Cinema strand embodies that perfectly. This year’s journey moves from Franco’s Spain ( ) to New York’s Vietnamese kitchens ( ), from Rioja’s vineyards ( ) to sustainable rooftop farms ( ).
Each screening will be paired with a bespoke dining event showcasing Cork’s culinary creativity. Supported by our Culinary Ambassador, Rachel Allen, these evenings promise nourishment for both mind and body.
In our World Tour section, Harry Lighton’s debut stands out — an audacious romantic comedy that is by turns funny, moving, and unconventional.
Inspired by the film, Cork’s drag collective, led by Krystal Queer, will perform their exuberant show, .
At the other end of the spectrum, and also celebrating its own 70th anniversary, we are delighted to present Disney’s as our Family Gala, a dog-friendly event where families (and their four-legged companions) can rediscover a beloved classic.
For younger audiences, Cork actor, writer and podcaster Hilary Rose, our new CIFF Family Ambassador, will bring live narration to , a glorious animated adventure for children.
CIFF is not just an annual celebration; it is a year-round cultural presence. Our regular programmes include themed film seasons, educational initiatives, and community partnerships.
A project especially close to my heart is Intinn, developed with UCC’s School of Nursing and Midwifery.
This unique film-and-mental-health programme helps young people explore wellbeing through cinema and guided workshops.
Offered free of charge, Intinn has already reached over 8,000 students, and my hope is to see it eventually adopted into the national curriculum.
Building on that success, we are launching Aeráid, a new youth-focused film and climate-action initiative.
Both programmes reflect our belief that film can inspire not only empathy but also action, shaping how young people see their world and their role within it.
Our 70th anniversary invites us to look boldly to the future.
We want CIFF to continue championing filmmakers, nurturing talent, and enriching communities.
Central to that vision is our ambition to establish a dedicated, year-round cultural cinema and education centre in Cork — a permanent home for film and learning that will serve future generations.
Seventy years on, CIFF remains a festival built on passion, creativity, and connection.
We will always champion the power of film to tell stories that transform how we see the world, bring us together, and remind us of what we share.
Here’s to the next 70 years of stories, and to the city that continues to make them possible.
- The 70th Cork International Film Festival runs from November 6-16. corkfilmfest.org
