Curtain goes up on Beara Film Festival

CASTLETOWNBERE’S first film festival takes place on Saturday July 7th and is already set to become an annual event in Beara’s summer calendar.  

Beara Film Fest is the brain child of local man Gerard O’Leary, who himself has featured in a number of screen and stage productions. A total of 78 submissions for inclusion were made with 12 making the final selection.

On the night a number of awards will be decided by the audience through a voting card process which they will receive on entry along with their  programme and a ticket for one of many spot prizes which have been donated by businesses throughout the Beara Peninsula.

Awards for best director and best art house film will be decided by a panel of film industry professionals, and a surprise guest from the world of Irish film will conduct the award ceremony on the night. The night will also include the official screening of Miah, directed by Daniel Corcoran, which was filmed on the Beara Peninsula in February 2016.

Gerard thanked Murphy’s SuperValu, Chart Datum and Castletownbere Development Association who are sponsoring the festival. There will be no entry charge on the night, but donations at the door of the over 18s festival are in aid of Cancer Connect, this year’s festival’s chosen charity.

Ger added: ‘We hope next year will be an even bigger event all the while remaining free for Cork directors to enter, free for the audience to attend and raising much-needed funds for charities that get no funding other that the generous backing of the general public.’

It takes place in the former St Peter’s Church at 8pm.  Doors open at 7.15pm, and seating is limited so arrive early to avoid disappointment.