Derry is set to become a hub for all things cinema this month as the Foyle Film Festival returns with a host of events for its 35th year.
Running from November 18-27, the festival will bring together a diverse mixture of entertainment, kicking off with the Northern Ireland premiere of Strange World, the latest family spectacular from Walt Disney Animation Studios.
It follows the legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land, alongside a motley crew including a mischievous blob, a three-legged dog and a slew of ravenous creatures.
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The festival will close in equally impressive style with the Northern Ireland premiere of Searchlight Pictures’ Empire of Light from Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes. Starring Olivia Colman, Michael Ward and Colin Firth, it’s set in an English seaside town in the early 1980s.
Christopher Morrison, Festival Programmer, said: "As has come to be a slate of the festival, we once more present a programme with a diverse mixture of international cinema, documentaries, special screenings and industry events, Irish and local film in addition to Cinematic Breakfast, Dementia Friendly and Foodbank screenings.
"We are also proud once more to present our Oscar affiliated Light in Motion Short Film Competition with packages screened in the Irish, International and Animated categories. We look forward to welcoming the audiences back once again and engaging with cinema together."
The festival’s Oscar and BAFTA affiliated Light In Motion (LIM) Short Film Competition will showcase the best films from around the world with a total of 68 films in contention for Best International Short Film, Best Irish Short Film and Best Animated Short Film. Recipients of the LIM Awards qualify for consideration in the Live Action and Animated Short Film categories of the Academy Awards without needing the standard theatrical run.
Highlights include films from Derry writer and director Colm Herron with I Know You, Belfast directing/producing duo Gavin Kelly and Lisa Service for The Search, IFTA-nominated director Mia Mullarkey’s Safe as Houses, and Derry Girls actor Louisa Harland in Noah directed by Emma Louise Williamson. 2022 also marks a Foyle Film Festival debut for director Sinead O’Loughlin whose short film Lamb is enjoying a successful festival run so far with appearances at Galway Film Fleadh, Tribeca and Rhode Island film festivals.
As part of the festival's Industry Event offer, BFI Film Academy Lab will host In Conversation with Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, writing duo behind the critically acclaimed BBC drama The Salisbury Poisonings, and Julie Harkin Casting, Derry-born BIFA-nominated casting director.
Festival favourites Cinematic Breakfasts and Dementia Friendly Screens return with some all-time classics — and this year organisers welcome their first collaboration with Foyle Foodbank — offering a series of Foodbank Screens supporting the local community, the public are encouraged to donate much-needed items to the foodbank instead of the usual ticket fee.
In collaboration with Bloody Sunday Trust, Foyle Film Festival also presents a screening of Sean Murray’s short film, My Name is Joseph followed by a screening of Ken Fero’s feature documentary Ultraviolence, all commemorating the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
This year the festival will celebrate its 35th year and a decade-long partnership with Brunswick Moviebowl.
Films will be screened at both Nerve Centre and Brunswick Moviebowl with prices ranging from £4 to £7.
See full programme of events via foylefilmfestival.org.
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