17/04/2013 - New IndieCork film festival launched with Ken Loach as patron

Tobias Lindholm’s A Hijacking [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Tobias Lindholm
film profile] will open this year’s edition of the Fingal Film Festival (May 8-10). Festival Director Liz Kenny said, “The final selection of films are from all over the world. We had a huge response internationally this year. We have also had a huge response from Irish Media colleges this year, as we made it a priority to engage with film students and embed the festival at grass root level with the people who will be the future of Irish filmmaking.”

The Festival will have workshops dedicated to producing, funding, photography, direction, acting and documentary. There will also be equipment demonstration stands, F/X software stands and F/X makeup Stands.

Meanwhile, following the unexpected dismissals of chief executive officer Mick Hannigan and programmer Ùna Feely from the Cork Film Festival, the duo have retaliated with plans to launch their own film festival. The new IndieCork Film Festival is pencilled in for October 16-20.

IndieCork’s coup has been to rope in British directing legend Ken Loach as honorary patron, a move that lends the festival instant validity. Feely said, “Throughout his career, Ken Loach has resisted the lure of Hollywood yet found international success and acclaim. IndieCork is thrilled that he immediately agreed to our invitation, citing his support for the vision of this new festival.”

Hannigan said, “We are looking forward to creating an exciting and culturally rich event in October. We have had widespread support from our network of film contacts in Ireland and Internationally. We want to preserve Cork’s reputation as a city that champions independent cinema.”