Taking place on November 9-18, the 63rd annual Cork film festival will feature themes such as LGBT+ issues, mental health, child poverty, gender equality, and human rights.
The festival, which is Ireland’s longest running and largest film festival, will showcase over 250 Irish and international films with a focus on current global issues.
Festival CEO Fiona Clark said that the festival will feature award-winning films from the 2018 international festival circuit, as well as fresh new voices.
“For many films presented, this is the only opportunity to see them on the big screen in Cork and Ireland,” said Clark.
“Our mission is to bring people together through an outstanding programme of films and events and to create an unforgettable festival experience over 10 days in Cork.
“As a destination for great storytelling on film, this year’s programme includes numerous award-winners from the 2018 international festival circuit, alongside fresh new voices, together showcasing the latest and best independent cinema.
“For many films presented, this is the only opportunity to see them on the big screen in Cork and Ireland,” she added.
Among the LGBT+ features are Ondi Timoner’s Mapplethorpe, which tells the story of the iconic queer photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, and his “sexual awakening and meteoric rise as an artist and ubiquitous figure in the New York cultural scene of the 1970s and 80s.”
The film stars Doctor Who‘s Matt Smith.
Jordana Spiro’s revenge thriller Night Comes On, which follows a young queer African American woman whose goal is to be released from a juvenile detention centre to avenge her mother’s death, will also be featured.
Festival-goers will also get to see Lukas Dhont’s Girl, which tells the story of a young transgender woman on her journey to becoming a professional Ballerina. The film has been described as being “fearless in its exploration of gender issues.”
Other LGBT+ features include Arantxa Echevarría’s Carmen and Lola, Christophe Honoré’s Sorry Angel, Craig William Macneill’s Lizzie and Michael Palmieri’s and Donal Mosher’s and The Gospel Of Eureka.
The festival will also see the Irish premiere of the feminist comedy The Favourite, starring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz.
Cork Film Festival is supported by their principal funder, the Arts Council, as well as Cork City Council, Screen Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Screen Training Ireland, Culture Ireland, Creative Ireland, and Creative Europe Media.
© 2018 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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