The 11th Chicago Irish Film Festival will be held March 5-10, 2010. Deadline for submissions to the festival is January 15, 2010. (Click here to download entry form.)
2009 Film Festival Schedule
(Program subject to change)
Tickets $30/$27 BAC Members
7:00pm - Documentary Screening : "Black 47 . . . The Story So Far" (2007)
This rockin’ documentary uses rare live footage, interviews with the band and fans, footage from “Funky Ceili” and MTV videos to document the band’s remarkable career. Directed by Stephanie Silber and Vic Zimet, Home Team Productions.
8:00pm -Concert: Black 47
Named for the bleakest year of the Irish Potato Famine, Black 47 is known for its unblinkingly political and thoroughly Irish style of rock 'n' roll, with songs covering issues from the Northern Ireland conflict to civil rights and urban unrest in contemporary New York.
Festival Pass
The Festival Pass provides entry to all Irish Festival events from Friday, March 6 - Wednesday, March 11, 2009. It may be purchased for $65/$50 BAC Members.
Opening Night Reception and Shorts Program - Friday, March 6, 2009
7:00pm -Opening Night Reception - Tickets $30/$25 BAC Members
In honor of the 10th anniversary, the CIFF will screen a program of shorts at the opening reception, which includes special guests, live music, buffet and open bar.
Karl Mullen and friends, Megan Palmer and Hugh Watkins, will perform acoustic Celtic soul.
Opening night is sponsored by Miller Lite and Heineken, provided through Hayes Beer Distributors. SouthwestObserver, Media Sponsor.
8:30pm - Shorts Program Screening
(Audience voted for favorite short)“Spaceman Three” (Ireland, 2008) 13 min
When an astro-geologist withdraws from a vital rock collecting mission, the only person who passes the test to replace him is his rather unorthodox Irish researcher. Director: Hugh O’Conor" Foireann Codladh” (“Team Sleep”) (Ireland, 2008) Irish language, subtitled. 15 min
A young businessman retires to a quaint cottage in a sleepy village – there’s even a picturesque church across the road! But the tranquility doesn’t last long. Director: Danann Breathnach“New Boy” (Ireland, 2007) 11 min
1st Place - Audience Awards
Based on a short story by Roddy Doyle, the film captures the experience of being the new boy in school through the eyes of a 9-year-old African boy. Academy Award nomination, Best Short Film (live action); received over 20 international film festival awards, including Tribeca. Director: Steph Green, Producer: Tamara Anghie“The Man Inside” (Ireland, 2008) 14 min
When a man’s key breaks off in his lock one morning, he becomes a prisoner in his own apartment. Director: Rory Bresnihan“Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty” (Ireland, 2008) 6 min. Animated
2nd Place - Audience Awards
Its bedtime, but who can sleep after Granny O’Grimm tells her version of “Sleeping Beauty”? Best Irish Short Film (animation), Galway Film Festival; screened at the Palm Springs Film Festival. Director: Nicky Phelan“The Door” (Ireland, 2008) 17 min
3rd Place - Audience Awards
A father desperately triesto come to terms with the devastaing effects of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. Best Irish Short Film, Galway Film Fleadh; Clair Lynch Award, Cork Film Festival; Gold Medal, Zinebi Film Festival, Balboa, Spain; Best Irish Short, Foyle Film Festival. Director: Juanita Wilson"Whatever Turns You On" (Ireland, 2008) 4 min
Honorable Mention
The story of a homeless man who arrives at an electronics store on a mission to make a purchase. Best Irish Short, 2008 Kerry Film Festival; Best Short, 2008 Florence Film Festival; Screened at the 2009 Apsen Shorts Fest. Director: Declan Cassidy
Children's Screening - Saturday, March 7, 2009
12:00pm - Special Festival Price: $5 General admission, children age 5 and under free
“The Ugly Duckling and Me!” (Ireland) Animation. 75 min
Hans Christian Andersen didn’t have a ‘Me’ in his classic fairytale, but this version of the Ugly Duckling has a few unexpected twists. In this story, the Ugly Duckling has a father called Ratso instead of a mother. Actually, Ratso’s not really his father. Confused? Well, so is Ratso! Directors: Michael Hegner, Karsten Kiilerich
Documentary Programs - Saturday, March 7, 2009
Afternoon Documentaries
Special Pricing for Afteroon Documentaries:
1 for $10/$8 BAC Members
2 for $15/$12 BAC Members
3 for $20/$16 BAC Members2:00pm - "Chippers" (Ireland, 2008) Italian/English, subtitled. 52 min
Since the early 1900s, a community of 4,000 southern Italians have been living and working in Dublin. Five families tell how they preserve their cultural identity and assimilate seamlessly into their host country. A nostalgic, melancholy and comedic portrait of a unique community. Director: Nino Tropiano
3:30pm - "Sea Fever" (Ireland, 2007) 62 min
Capturing the character and craic of Irish surfing, the film offers insight into the history of the surf culture from the pioneers of the 1960s and 70s with their rudimentary equipment and spirit of adventure, through today’s troubadour surfers who brave 40-50 foot waves. Director: Ken Sullivan.
5:00pm - Programming includes the following two films:
Short - "Color Contamination" (Ireland, 2008) Animation 3min
A man who hates colorful things enters a waiting room and is forced to face his worst fears. Festival screenings: Galway Film Fleadh, Children’s Film Festival Seattle. Director: Louise BagnallDocumentary: “Rua” (Ireland, 2008) Irish language, subtitled. 51 min
An in-depth look at the history and culture of red hair that, though associated with the fiery personalities ofIreland and Scotland, only affects 1% of the world’s population.This documentary weaves interviews with scientists, historians, cultural commentators and poets in a colorful account of the mythical, magical and sometimes maligned redhead. Director: Mary CrumlishEvening Documentaries
Pricing for Evening Documentaries:
1 for $10/$8 BAC Members
7:30pm Feature Documentaries - Programming includes the following two films:
Short: “The German” (Ireland, 2008) Irish language, subtitled. 10 min
A duel between a British and a German fighter pilot leads to an unforseen conclusion. Director: Nick RyanShort: “Blind Eye” (2007) 12 min
An immigration official in 1939 Dublin must deport a young Jewish woman to Nazi Germany. Adapted from the real life story of Sabina Shortts. Director: Damien de Burca; Producer: Mary Rose Doorly; Script: Hugo HamiltonDocumentary: “Frederick Douglass and the White Negro” (Ireland, 2008) Documentary. 52 min U.S. Premiere
Following his escape from slavery, Frederick Douglass sought refuge in Ireland during the peak of the Great Famine. This fascinating documentary focuses on how Douglass was affected by his experience in Ireland, as well as the tumultuous relationship between African America and Irish America. Culminating with the American Civil War, the film also states a compelling case for constant vigilence against racism as it depicts the New York Draft Riot of 1863, during which the Irish brutally targeted and killed African Americans. A Camel Productoin distributed by Films Transit. Director: John J. DohertyQ & A with Director John J. Doherty and Producer Catherine Lyons follows the screening.
Irish Classics - Sunday, March 8, 2009
2:00pm - Tickets $10/$8 BAC Members
Short: “Uncle Bill’s Barrel” (Ireland, 2008) 9 min
A rural family copes with a deceased uncle who refuses to stay in his grave. Director: Eoin RyanShort: “Atlantic” (Ireland, 2008) 3 min
Unaware that a life-changing letter is on its way, a farmer goes about his endless days. Director: Conor FergusonFeature: “The Informer” (1935) 91 min
Set in Dublin in 1922, during the Irish War of Independence, this gripping movie tells the story of a brutish but naive Irishman who informs on his best friend, a member of the IRA. Victor McLaglen won an Academy Award for his performance as the guilt-ridden former rebel. The film also won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Writing. Director: John FordQ & A with Mary Ann Ryan, Irish Studies Scholar, follows the screening.
4:30pm - Tickets $10/$8 BAC Members
Short: “The Herd” (Ireland, 2008) 4 min
A farmer and his mother discuss the arrival of a strange animal among their herd of cattle. Director: Ken WardropFeature: “Captain Boycott” (1947) 93 min
Based on an incident in Irish history, this spirited film tells the tale of tenant farmers in who protest high rents and poor treatment from a haughty landowner, Captain Boycott, by staging what we now call a “boycott.” Stewart Granger stars as the dashing leader of the farmers, Alastair Sim portrays a roguish parish priest, and Cecil Parker is the despicable Captain Boycott. Director: Frank LaunderIrish Sports Night - Monday, March 9, 2009
7:30pm - Tickets $10/$8 BAC Members
Short: “Spaceman Three” (Ireland, 2008) 13 min
When an astro-geologist withdraws from a vital rock collecting mission, the only person who passes the test to replace him is his rather unorthodox Irish researcher. Director: Hugh O’Conor
Feature: “Fight or Flight” (2008) 84 min
After recovering from a brutal assault, Peter J. McCarthy came across a newspaper article on Muay Thai Boxing and decided to travel to Thailand and learn to fight for himself. This compelling award-winning documentary explores the nature of conflict in man through the world of ring fighting as it follows McCarthy’s deep and sometimes disturbing 18 months of training. Best Documentary Feature, Radar Hamburg Film Festival (Germany); nominated, Best Foreign Documentary, Long Island Film Festival. Directors: Peter J. McCarthy, Shane SuttonMovie Night - Tuesday, March 10, 2009
7:30pm - Tickets $10/$8 BAC Members
Short: “The Morse Collectors” (Ireland, 2008) 17 min
It’s 1942 and the adults are busy fighting the War. Two children discover hidden Morse Code messages in their home. The boy accepts them as real, but his older sister struggles with the rationale of her increasingly adult mind. Director: David CookeFeature: “Kisses” (Ireland, 2008) 72 min
Two youngsters run away from home at Christmas and spend a night of magic and terror on the streets of inner-city Dublin. Best Director, 2009 IFTA (Irish Film and Television Awards). Director: Lance DalyShort Shots and Closing Reception - Wednesday, March 11, 2009
7:30pm - Reception immediately following program. Music, snacks, 2 complimentary drinks. - Tickets $20/$15 BAC Members (Audience voted for favorite short)
“Deep Breaths” (Ireland, 2007) 15 min
2nd Place - Festival Awards
Danny discovers a shocking truth when he sees the woman he loves with another man and decides to follow them. Director: PJ Dillon“Happy Hour” (Ireland, 2008) 10 min
Honorable Mention - Festival Awards
Four characters stare out from a murky space, their respective stories merging and colliding. Is it a crowded bar or a shared memory? Director: Barrie Dowdall“Friend” (Ireland, 2008) 3 min
After years of isolation, a prisoner has given up on life. Then one day he receives an unexpected visit. Director: Robert O’Halloran“Up for Air” (Ireland, 2008) 9 min
3rd Place - Festival Awards
A chance encounter with a former teacher forces a man whose life is going nowhere to re-evaluate his past. Director: Richie Conroy; Co-Director: Mark Hodkinson“He Dies at the End” (Ireland, 2008) 4 min
1st Place - Festival Awards
Interested in finding out how he’s going to die, a man takes an online quiz that promises to reveal all. Director: Damian McCarthy“The Linear Adventures Of Average Joe” (Ireland, 2007) Animated. 7 min
Poor Joe has ruined his only tie and his company party is about to begin. He decides to build a time machine and prevent his careless accident. Director: Bryan O’Sullivan.“Any Ol’ Ting” (Ireland, 2008) 4 min.
A music video telling the light-hearted tale of a menial office worker who dreams of a life less dreary. Director: Brian Connolly“The Rooster, The Crocodile and the Night Sky” (Ireland, 2008) Animated. 7 min
When an entrepreneurial crocodile steals the night sky, a brave rooster fights to restore the sky and stars. Director: Padraig Fagan(Program subject to change.)