New film festival launched in Clonakilty this weekend

FILM buffs in west Cork are in for a treat this weekend with the holding of the inaugural Flux film and multimedia festival in Clonakilty.

The festival, which is due to be held on Friday and Saturday, will feature an international selection of films, with submissions from Spain, Canada and Sweden, as well as numerous Irish films.

The festival, which is being funded by the Arts Council, is being run by Elaine Mackey from Montenotte and Chloe de Buyl-Pisco who hails from Belgium. According to Elaine the notion of holding a film festival in west Cork came through a local arts initiative: “The idea was proposed to the arts council by a local arts group known as Random Animals. The project was handed over to Chloe and myself, and we discussed how we could do something in August 2006 and now Flux is a reality.”

Aside from the film screenings that will take place on Saturday night, there are also numerous other movie themed events taking place, such as a famous films fancy dress party in O’Donovan’s hotel and a live swing band.

The festival will also incorporate dance performances and a showing of the work of 14 former Galway art college students called 14 Degrees, which is being organised by Elaine. Fourteen businesses have agreed to get involved, and each will show the artist’s work on a TV monitor.

According to Chloe, the Flux festival will provide local artists with an invaluable platform for their work. “We are using our skills, expertise and ingenuity to give highly beneficial exposure both to the featured artists and the community of Clonakilty.

“We hope to broaden the horizons of the usually “non-gallery/theatre” goers in the community, by making the work of artists accessible to everyone.

“We think we are bringing a specific kind of event to a town that has never been exposed to anything of its kind. We are exploring alternative venues in a rural town and using artistically uncharted spaces that are more commonly used for commercial ventures.”

Both Elaine and Chloe hope that Flux will become a regular fixture for west Cork, and Elaine says “We hope to establish Flux Festival as Clonakilty’s winter festival. We also hope to evolve each year and to work and train with local young people. We are determined to continue to support and promote our artists, without whom this would not be possible.”

The Flux Video, Live Art and Multimedia Festival takes place today and tomorrow, Saturday December 8. All events are free of charge.

www.flux.freewebpages.org/