The 61st Cork Film Festival opens tomorrow night, Friday (November 11th) with the Irish premiere of Academy Award®-nominee Steven Cantor’s acclaimed documentary Dancer, profiling bad-boy ballet star, Sergei Polunin.
Ireland’s oldest film festival runs until 20 November, with more than 70 feature films, 52 documentary films, over 100 shorts, and 55 countries represented throughout the programme. The opening weekend will present premieres, thought-provoking documentaries, gripping debates, and fun family films. For full details of the programme and tickets, visit corkfilmfest.org.
Kristen Stewart and Michelle Williams’ drama Certain Women, which won Best Film at the recent BFI London Film Festival, will also have its Irish premiere in Cork this Saturday (Nov 12) at The Everyman. Further premieres across the opening weekend include The Unknown Girl and The Innocents on Saturday (Nov 12), while on Sunday (Nov 13), the focus is on the poignant Out of Innocence at the Triskel Christchurch, starring acclaimed Cork actress Fiona Shaw; along with The Miracle of Tekir, Hedi, and Frantz.
This weekend’s family-friendly programme includes Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, paying tribute to Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday and the late Gene Wilder. There will also be a selection of family-friendly shorts in the Gate Cinema, North Main Street on Sunday (Nov 13).
Speaking ahead of the Festival’s opening night, Festival Producer Fiona Clark said:
This year’s Festival offers a diverse programme that can be savoured by all. Along with a broad selection of films, there are events such as the acclaimed Illuminate series on mental health, and debates exploring social and geopolitical issues reflected on the big screen by world-class cinema. The Festival aims to entertain, excite and engage, and we hope that our audiences find much to explore and enjoy.
For full details of all films and bookings see corkfilmfest.org, call 021 4271711, or visit the Cork Film Festival box office at 119 Patrick Street, Cork.
Cork Film Festival is proudly supported by principal funder the Arts Council, along with Cork City Council, the Irish Film Board, Fáilte Ireland, the Broadcasting Authority Ireland, Screen Training Ireland and Culture Ireland. RTÉ continues to work with the Festival as principal partner, joined by generous sponsorship from Ford Ireland, The River Lee hotel, Tiger Beer, and VTSL Ireland. Media partners are RTÉ Supporting the Arts, the Irish Examiner, and Red FM.