The Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland’s leading film festival will celebrate the 36th edition from 9- 14 July in the Town Hall Theatre and Pálás Cinema. Discover the programme highlights right here...
Irish Film Talent is to the fore of programming at the Fleadh alongside World Cinema, award winning Documentaries and Irish and International Short Films; audiences can look forward to powerful, moving, funny and provocative storytelling from both emerging and renowned filmmakers. Full programme details of the hundreds of events including screenings, Q+A’s and filmmaker interviews, panel discussions, and more will be available on www.galwayfilmfleadh.com
Speaking about the programme for the 36th edition of the Fleadh, Director of Programming, Maeve McGrath noted that;
“The 36th edition of the festival features the very best of new Irish Cinema, alongside award-winning cinema from around the world. Irish language film is prevalent throughout the week with KNEECAP opening the Fleadh and we introduce new sections including a film lovers programme called CineFleadh Collection. With the Euro 24 finals the same week as the Fleadh, we have a programme called The Beautiful Game featuring new football themed films. We continue our Architecture on Film programme and Artist on Film, alongside our award-winning strands World Cinema, Peripheral Visions and Generation Fleadh. Our Country of Focus is PALESTINE where we will showcase the work of film artists who bring the stories of Palestine to the screen thus providing a space to bring these stories to a larger audience and to show support and solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Films in the Defender programme provoke discussion and inform us with themes around social inequality, war and the battle for land rights while What The Fleadh?! returns with a genre cinema programme where anything might happen. With an exciting shorts film programme and the Galway Film Fair running alongside the Fleadh, there is something for both audience and film maker at the Fleadh this July.”
Highlights from the festival programme for 2024 will include World, European and Irish premieres including:
MRS ROBINSON
World Premiere - Tickets available here
Mrs Robinson tells Mary’s story, in her own words, for the very first time - illuminating battles for justice and equality over half a century; on the streets, in the courts, at the ballot box, and in backroom corridors of power. A reforming constitutional lawyer and senator in her early career, Mary Robinson detonated an electoral earthquake by winning the Irish Presidential vote in 1990. Later, as a crusading UN High Commissioner, she built a lasting legacy; fearlessly challenging perpetrators of human rights abuses all over the world. To this day, she exerts power and leadership as the Chair of The Elders, who work for peace, justice and human rights. As an influential global voice, Mary Robinson is also and spearheading Project Dandelion: a women-led climate justice campaign.
FIDIL GHORM
World Premiere - Tickets available here
Irish language drama, Fidil Ghorm tells the story of 10-year Molly who believes that if she learns to play the fiddle like her dad, she can wake him up from a coma. When he is moved to a rehab centre, she overhears her mother say that it would probably take a miracle to wake him. Molly becomes curious and asks 'what is a miracle?’ Her mother tells her that 'it’s a kind of magic' and Molly’s world of imagination goes into overdrive. In the rehab home she meets Malachy, a grumpy man, who plays the fiddle beautifully and she is told that he has ‘magic in his hands”. They eventually make a connection and thus begins her journey to find the magic in the music that she believes may heal her Dad.
KENSUKE’S KINGDOM
Irish Premiere - Tickets available here
This family animation, based on the best-selling novel by Michael Morpurgo, Kensuke’s Kingdom features an impeccable voice cast including Sally Hawkins, Cillian Murphy and Ken Watanabe. A young boy and his family set off on a sailing trip of a lifetime. Excitement turns to terror when a violent storm erupts and Michael and his dog, Stella, are swept overboard. They are washed up on to a remote island, terrified and struggling to survive. One day, Michael discovers he is not alone when he is confronted by a mysterious Japanese man who has lived there secretly since World War Two, angry that Michael has arrived. However, as dangerous invaders threaten their fragile island paradise, Michael and the old man, Kensuke, join forces to save their secret world.
THE TEACHER
Irish Premiere - Tickets available here
In this gripping feature debut from Oscar nominated director, Farah Nabulsi, a Palestinian school teacher played by award winning actor, Saleh Bakri, struggles to reconcile his life-threatening commitment to political resistance with his emotional support for one of his students and the chance of a new romantic relationship with a volunteer worker played by Imogen Poots. Simultaneously, an American couple played by Stanley Townsend and Andrea Irvine seek the return of their son who has been held hostage for three years. An exceptional film from a BAFTA winning director that tells these stories with compassion and consideration with an extraordinary performance from Saleh Bakri.
FOOTBALL FEVER: GENOA LOVE AFFAIR
International Premiere - Tickets available here
A heartfelt documentary investigates the enduring bond between the city of Genoa and its historic football club, Genoa FC. It celebrates the unwavering passion of its fans as a timeless testimony to their loyalty and community spirit. The documentary highlights the passion of the fans as an act of faith regardless of scores and results. Through interviews with iconic figures such as Rodrigo Palacio, Domenico Criscito and Diego Milito, the film celebrates Italy’s oldest fan base, describing their bond as “a disease” that unites generations. The match between the legends of Genoa, in an empty Luigi Ferrari Stadium, evokes epic, romantic memories.
POISON
Irish Premiere - Tickets available here
In her debut film, Désirée Nosbusch teams up with award winning Tim Roth and Trine Dyrholm, as Lucas and Edith, who have been previously married, but then estranged for ten years - since Lucas left. Prompted by a mysterious summons from Edith, they reunite at a significant location—the graveyard where their only child is buried. As they endure an extended wait, their conversation evolves, revisiting their shared past and prompting new perspectives on their futures. This love story brings secrets out in the open and will stay with you long after you have left the cinema.
above: photo credit Markus Jans
A PUBLIC INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN COX
Galway Film Fleadh in association with IFTA, will bring star of stage and screen, Brian Cox to Galway for a public interview as part of the 36th edition of the festival, offering a rare chance to hear from this award winning and esteemed actor. Cox, most recently known for his role in HBO’s Succession, has won an Emmy and a Golden Globe and his extensive film credits include Troy, Zodiac, and The Bourne Trilogy. Cox is also a veteran of the London stage, having won two Olivier Awards for Best Actor for his performances. The Galway Film Fleadh will honour Brian Cox with the Galway Hooker Award for Outstanding Achievement at the festival.
All information and imagery courtesy of Galway Film Fleadh
above: photo by David Ho
