For the 11th year in a row, Dingle International Film Festival (Dingle IFF) is offering four days of screenings from talented filmmakers all over the globe, covering all genres of film, whilst also hosting major industry figures from Ireland and abroad at a wide range of fantastic events. Dingle IFF 2017 promises to be the biggest yet, with a highly extensive programme that makes room for everyone. With a high calibre of stars attending screenings and workshops, this festival is an experience that you will never forget.
There are some fantastic films and events to attend at Dingle IFF 2017. The festival opens with Ben Wheatley’s Free Fire on Thursday 23rd March and closes with Jim Sheridan’s The Secret Scripture on Sunday 26th March, both at The Phoenix Cinema.
Twice ShyLegendary Irish comedian Pat Shortt will visit Dingle for the screening of his latest feature film Twice Shy at The Phoenix Cinema on Sunday 26th March. With over 30 years experience in the entertainment industry, and with huge success in television, film, and live shows, Pat Shortt will be an honoured guest at Dingle IFF 2017. Twice Shy will also go down in Dingle IFF history as one of its most poignant and socially relevant screenings.
In Twice Shy, Pat plays the charming and caring father of Fiona, who sets off on a road trip to London with her boyfriend because of an unplanned pregnancy. The film’s director Tom Ryan, and the film’s producer, Fionn Greger, will also be attendance to introduce their film and participate in a Q & A after the screening. Fionn Greger thinks that TWICE SHY will be the most-talked about new film of the year, stating that the script was “written for the likes of Ardal O’Hanlon and Pat Shortt. Once they read the script, they were immediately involved. It’s a very endearing story—full of charm, romance, and drama.”
Other highlights at the festival will include Dingle Pow-Wow (Saturday 25th March at The Blasket Centre) and Animation Dingle (March 24th- 25th at The Skelligs Hotel).
My Life as a CourgetteSupported by the European Parliament, Dingle IFF will provide some phenomenal children’s entertainment with a screening of the Oscar-nominated French animation feature My Life as a Courgette, at The Phoenix Cinema on Sunday 26th March. This feature is part of a specially curated programme to nurture the use of the Irish language in the arts. My Life as a Courgette in the French language and uses Irish subtitles.
The close relationship between the festival and their Gaeltacht hometown is stronger than ever, and this year’s festival is committed to developing compelling films in our native language. The Academy Award nomination for My Life as a Courgette is also a testament to the high quality of worldwide independent animation, which Dingle IFF promotes every year in its selections. This film will captivate children and adults alike and are a fantastic reason to bring the family to Dingle and behold the magic of animation.
One of the most promising young Irish actors in the international film and television industry, Art Parkinson (Game of Thrones, Kubo and the Two Strings, San Andreas), also an ambassador for Seachtain na Gaeilge 2017, will present the Físín award for the best script in the Irish language on Sunday 26th March at The Phoenix Cinema.
See the Dingle IFF website for full screening information.
As President of Ireland, I would like to thank the organisers of the Dingle International Film Festival for their dedication to the promotion of the beautiful and courageous films which cause us to examine new thoughts and new possibilities.
President Michael D. Higgins