Oscar nominee Saoirse is all set for Schull's Fastnet film festival

OSCAR-nominated Saoirse Ronan is delighted to be among the high-profile guests at this month’s Fastnet Film Festival in Schull – after being disappointed she couldn’t make it last year.

No stranger to West Cork, the Hollywood star will be part of the festival which runs from May 22nd to 26th.

Organiser Hilary McCarthy explained how it came about after Saoirse and her mum Monica were spotted lunching in Schull in March 2018. 

‘I was in Dublin so I phoned the festival’s Pauline Cotter asking her to high-tail it there to see if she could meet them and invite them to the festival last May. Unfortunately, Saoirse was busy but we kept in touch over the past 12 months and invited Saorise and Monica again this year. 

‘They love Schull and a window of opportunity opened up for a trip down south so we were over the moon when Monica phoned to say that they would love to come to the Festival this May,’ said Hilary. 

Two of Saoirse’s films, Hanna and Lady Bird, will be screened during the festival. 

Saoirse will also take part in a Q&A with John Kelleher on Thursday May  23rd and she’ll also be honoured for her contribution to the world of film. 

Other crowd-pullers already announced include Roddy Doyle, who will host a scriptwriting workshop and take part in a Q&A. 

Academy Award-winning film historian Kevin Brownlow will screen his restored silent film, ‘Smouldering Fires,’ which will be accompanied by world famous composer and conductor Carl Davis on grand piano. 

Other guests announced are Paddy Breathnach, Carmel Winters, Moe Dunford, Sarah Greene, Jim Sheridan, Ed Guiney, Hazel Doupe and many more. 

The line-up this year is unprecedented with over 50 expert guests taking part.  As well as feature-length films, some 300 short film screenings and local interest films, as well as a series of seminars, masterclasses and workshops, covering sound, screenwriting, casting, auditioning, score composition, documentary film making, creating content on your mobile phone, shorts to feature, and more.

Fringe events include the Long Island Cinema, Gallery Cinema, Filmmakers’ Hub, live music, drama, a fun movie quiz, café screenings all over town, high quality free family entertainment and more.