Irish Film Festival London Announces Line-Up of 2023 Festival
Posted: 17th October 2023
Irish Film & Television UK have announced the line-up of its annual flagship festival with an exciting programme of the latest Irish feature films, documentaries, animation and short films to screen from 15th-19th November at the Vue West End, Vue Piccadilly and the London Irish Centre. The festival is proudly supported by the Embassy of Ireland, Screen Ireland and Culture Ireland.
The festival opens with the UK premiere of One Night in Millstreet, the latest film from two-time Irish Film and Television Academy Award winner Andrew Gallimore. It is a snapshot of a country on the edge of change, revealed through the legendary prize fight in 1995 between the underdog Steve ‘The Celtic Warrior’ Collins and undefeated world champion Chris ‘Simply the Best’ Eubank, a sporting event that would grip and shape an entire nation. Chris Eubank, Steve Collins, Barry McGuigan, and mind trainer Tony Quinn talk candidly about a St. Patrick’s Day like no other.
Michael Hayden, Festival Director, said about this year's programme:
While films in the festival take on topics including misogyny, sport, history, human rights and language, it is refreshing that all these filmmakers are as keen to entertain as they are to educate. There's no shortage of lightness, humour, compassion and hope here, too. This programme is the first brick in the foundation of a platform for Irish film that IFTUK intends to build in London and across the UK. While I sincerely thank all our partners supporting us in that aim, my greatest appreciation is for the filmmakers. Their vision and voices motivate us to do this."
Other Irish feature films such as Lisa Mulcahy's Lies We Tell, Declan Recks' Tarrac, Enzo D’Alò's A Greyhound of a Girl and Tomas Vengris’ Five and a Half Love Stories in an Apartment in Vilnius, Lithuania will be part of the line-up. The festival will also feature several Irish documentaries, including Gerry Gregg's recently released Face Down: The Disappearance of Thomas Niedermayer, the first feature to be restored through the Irish Film Institute and Screen Ireland Digitisation Project Reefer and the Model, and a Screen Ireland shorts programme showcasing the work of emerging talent. The Irish Film Festival will be followed by the Irish Film & Television UK Awards on 20th November, to take place at the Irish Embassy in London.
The full schedule and tickets are available here.
About Irish Film & Television UK
Formerly known as Irish Film London, Irish Film & Television UK (IFTUK) showcases and celebrates the best of Irish culture through world-class Irish film, television and animation throughout the UK. With festivals and year-round activities. IFTUK ensures Irish filmmakers have a credible platform in the UK, be they established voices or young artists taking their first steps into film production. The organisation also encourages collaboration and supports Irish filmmakers living and working in the UK, as well as holding workshops and seminars throughout the year to inform, educate and engage with the Irish diaspora and those interested in Irish culture.