Curtains up for Fastnet short films
The Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival will take place in Schull from May 27-30 and promises to be an endorsement of real talent, with more than 135 films submitted to date.
Festival chairman Maurice Seezer described the line-up of films as “really exciting” and said the Corona/Mexican connection was being strengthened with the introduction of a selection of Mexican short films produced by IMCINE, The Mexican Film Institute.
Speaking at the festival launch at The Bodega bar in Cork City, Mr Seezer said the participants will have the opportunity to meet established filmmakers, view their films and take part in workshops.
The festival will be attended by film director and screenwriter Kirsten Sheridan and Andrew Freedman of Venom Films who has had his productions screened at Cannes and Sundance.
Novelist Patrick McCabe will also be in attendance as will author, director and patron of the festival, Gerard Stembridge.
Schull will also be honoured with the presence of Jack Gold, who famously filmed Catholics in and around Sherkin Island in 1973.
BAFTA nominee, Chris O’Dell, cinematographer of the ever popular Morse and Lewis series, will also be in attendance.
This year’s festival will offer film buffs a programme with screenings at venues around Schull, including the 100-seater Cinemobile, and special focus workshops for film makers of all ages with interviews with famous national and international film personnel and many more fringe events.
Several prizes will be awarded to film makers throughout the festival, with a special prize of €2,500 for the best young film maker aged 22 or younger.
The Best of Festival Award is open to all filmmakers over 18 years of age and also carries a prize of €2,500.
There are additional prizes for several other categories.
lFurther information is at www.fastnetshortfilmfestival.com
