The 63rd Cork Film Festival has announced that this year’s Opening Night Gala will be the award-winning Irish film, Float Like A Butterfly. The European premiere, to be attended by the film’s writer and director Carmel Winters, takes place on November 9th at The Everyman. This year’s Closing Night Gala is the Irish premiere of Nadine Labaki’s multi-award-winning film Capernaum, also at The Everyman on November 18th.
Today’s announcement is an indication of the breadth and quality of the programme for the 63rd edition of the Cork Film Festival, which runs from 9-18 November. Tickets for both films are now on sale at corkfilmfest.org. The much-anticipated full 10-day programme for Ireland’s largest film festival, which will showcase the very best in new cinema, will be announced on Tuesday, 16 October.
Float Like a Butterfly – Photo by Martin Maguire – copyright Samson Films and Port PicturesFloat Like A Butterfly is an inspirational coming-of-age story of an Irish girl from the Travelling community and the pursuit of her dream to be a boxer. It won the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) prize for the Discovery programme at the Toronto International Film Festival last month.
Nadine Labaki’s sensational film Capernaum, which took the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival, and Audience Awards at further international festivals, is set in Beirut and tells the courageous story of a 12-year-old boy who sues his parents for bringing him into a world of poverty.
Capernaum ©FARES SOKHNWe are thrilled to be premiering these two significant films, directed by two outstanding female directors, in Cork. Their stories reflect and resonate with the times we live in – life on the margins of society seen through the eyes of a child; the reality of personal and social struggles; and the human need to achieve a sense of belonging. We are honoured to share these films with our audience at the 63rd Cork Film Festival.
Fiona Clark, Festival Producer and CEO – Cork Film Festival
I love the worlds that met in the making of this film. I am so proud that these worlds will come together again to celebrate our European premiere in Cork. I couldn’t wish for a better home-coming for Float Like A Butterfly.
Carmel Winters
We want Cork Film Festival to be a place of discovery and provide a platform for films that challenge perceptions and provoke debate. We are delighted to be able to celebrate these two outstanding new films as our Opening and Closing Galas. We look forward to sharing the full programme of Irish and international films at the launch on 16 October and to welcoming Festival goers to explore and discover 10 days of the best world cinema in November.
Michael Hayden, Programme Director – Cork Film Festival
Further announcements in the 2018 programme include the Festival’s Industry Days, on 15-17 November, comprising of First Take which explores all aspects of the Irish filmmaking landscape; Doc Day, Ireland’s premier Documentary Industry Day presented in partnership with Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland; along with a new event for emerging filmmakers. Cork Film Festival extends its successful partnership with the IFI Education Department to present a comprehensive Schools Programme in The Gate Cinemas in Cork City, Midleton and Mallow. Eight specially selected titles will be presented in support of Junior and Senior Cycle Second Level curricula.
Cork Film Festival is supported by principal funder the Arts Council, along with Cork City Council, Screen Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Screen Training Ireland, Culture Ireland, Creative Ireland and Creative Europe Media. Principal media partner is RTÉ Supporting the Arts and media partners are the Irish Examiner and Red FM.
For more on the festival visit visit <corkfilmfest.org, or Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.