Toronto to Celebrate Irish Films at the Toronto Irish Film Festival
Toronto Irish Film Festival (TIRFF) will once again celebrate the best of Irish cinema on Friday March 8th and Saturday March 9th with a weekend of film screenings including the Canadian premieres of PILGRIM HILL and DOLLHOUSE at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
At the Opening Night Gala on Friday March 8th, audiences will get to see PILGRIM HILL directed by the IFB IFTA Rising Star winner Gerard Barrett. Made with a budget of €4500, it follows the life of Jimmy, a bachelor farmer living in rural Ireland fighting isolation and loneliness while caring for his ill father. Supported by the IFB, the film premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh last year where it won the Bingham Ray Award. It also was selected for the prestigious Telluride and Busan film festivals where it received critical acclaim. The screening will be attended by the actors Joe Mullins and Muiris Crowley.
The full-day programme on Saturday March 9th will feature Kirsten Sheridan's DOLLHOUSE starring Jack Reynor (What Richard Did). It explores a night in the life of a group of street teens from Dublin's inner city who break into an upper class house in Dalkey, Dublin. The break-in quickly moves into a night of frenzy, driven by a series of revelations that will leave lasting marks on each of them, and resulting in an emotional conclusion that they will carry with them. The film has screened at numerous international festivals including the prestigious Berlin Film Festival and SXSW last year.
Other features to screen at the festival include Kieron J. Walsh's JUMP and Frank Berry's documentary BALLYMUN LULLABY.
The UK/Irish co-production JUMP is a modern urban fairytale set in Derry which follows the lives of four twenty-something's whose lives collide one fateful New Year's Eve in a night of fast talk, accidents and intrigue. The film which was written by Kieron J. Walsh and Steve Brookes is based on a stage play of the same name by Lisa McGee.
BALLYMUN LULLABY is an emotive story about an inspirational music initiative in Ballymun has connected with audiences all over the world. The Ballymun Flats were built in the 1960s. Since then, social and economic issues associated with the area have led to prejudice against its residents. Yet the community's sense of hope and perseverance shines, as seen in this inspiring documentary following music teacher Ron Cooney and the kids of the Ballymun Music Programme through the creation of a choral and orchestral collection of music.
There is a great line-up of shorts at the festival which will showcase the amazing work by Ireland's emerging filmmaking talent. Short films will include the Sundance success IRISH FOLK FURNITURE, FOXES which just screened at the Clermont Film Festival along with DOWNPOUR, CLUCK, THE BOY IN THE BUBBLE, HOME TURF, TRID AN STOIRM, REMEMBER ME MY GHOST and JONNY BOY.
The Toronto Irish Film Festival takes place March 8th and 9th 2013.