Clones Film Festival Countdown

The signs and posters are up, the programme has been printed and the countdown is on for the 10th Clones Film Festival, which will take place from 26 – 30 October. The Cinemobile, sponsored by SuperValu Clones will once again take pride of place on the Diamond, and the Courthouse and Lennard Arms Hotel will be transformed into cinema venues for the 5 days, which promises entertainment by the bucket load for cinema enthusiasts of all ages.

Opening Night promises to be another exciting affair with our customary wine & cheese reception. Our opening film this year is ‘In Sunshine or in Shadow’, (winner of Best Sports Documentary Irish Film Award in 2011), which depicts the dramatic true story behind the epic world featherweight title match that took place between Barry McGuigan and Eusebio Pedroza, a now legendary fight that gripped an entire Irish nation on one hot summer's night in 1985. We are delighted that Barry McGuigan can attend on the evening to open Clones Film Festival and speak about the film. Director Andrew Gallimore and producers Morgan Bushe and Conor Barry will also attend. This will be followed by live music in the CFF Festival Club by Clara Rose and her band. Admission is free and all are welcome, but please come early to guarantee your seat for the screening.

On Thursday 27 in the Lennard Arms at 8pm, Patrick McCabe will interview Paddy Treacy, retired projectionist at the Luxor Cinema Clones, followed by a screening of the first ever film shown on the big screen in Clones 'I See a Dark Stranger'.
 
We have a very special offer for anyone who fancies a Friday night in Clones with a difference. For just €12, come in to the Cinemobile at 7.30pm to view 'A Kiss for Jed Wood', the latest feature written by Horslips Legend, Barry Devlin, followed by an interview with Barry himself. Producer Tim Palmer will also be in attendance. Later, Barry will take to the stage of the Lennard Ballroom with a bunch of his well-known friends - Johnny Fean, Paddy Goodwin, some Holy Ghosts and who knows who else! This very keen price includes the film, interview and live gig til late in the Lennard – recession-busting prices from CFF!

Second level Language students will have a chance to watch Irish and French films on Friday morning, 28 October, at 10.00am. Spaces are still available for this, so if you would like to bring a school group along, please call Geraldine on 086-8053070.

We are very pleased to screen a number of new Irish documentaries – ‘Bram Stoker agus Dracula’ by Monaghan director Deaglan Ó’Mocháin; ‘Stolen Children, Stolen Lives’ by Gerry O’Sullivan and ‘Water Rising’ by Muireann de Barra. All three directors will attend their screenings. See programme for exact details on these.

We also have an extensive programme of short films covering the categories of fiction / experimental and documentary. These will be screened on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the Lennard Arms Hotel.

Other features on this year’s programme include Submarine, The Runway, Of Gods and Men, Senna, As If I Am Not There, Charlie Casanova, 8.5 Hours, Abel and Biutiful, as well as Arrietty and The Smurfs for our younger audiences on Saturday and Sunday at 12.00 midday in the Cinemobile. Please come early for children’s screenings as these always sell out.

Another Festival Club highlight will be the return of CFF Festival Club favourites Hacienda on Saturday night, sponsored by Scanbitz Truck Parts. Come and dance your cares away!

Once again, the festival will wind down with our closing night awards ceremony, sponsored by Clones Credit Union Ltd., on Sunday 30 October, where the winners of our 48 hour short film challenge will compete to take home a coveted 'Francie' award. This is a not-to-be-missed, packed-out affair every year, so book your seats now on 047-51075!

Don’t forget! Tonight, Thursday 20 October, Clones Film Festival will celebrate its 10th birthday with a party in Clones Library at 7.30pm. We will present our programme and launch our exhibition of CFF memorabilia. We will screen previous short film winners and present our badge competition winners with their prizes. Wine & cheese reception. We look forward to seeing you there.

Our full programme is now available in local outlets and to download on here and by following the links on Facebook.