DAVID PUTTNAM, PATRON
I am immensely proud to represent Cork International Film Festival as its Patron. Film has the power to enlighten, enrich understanding, foster empathy and encourage action. At its best, cinema can speak to people of every age, from every background, and in unique ways; it can be a great force for good. That power is magnified in a festival context, creating a unique environment for transformative film experiences that embrace and celebrate our common humanity. In this ever more complex and difficult world, we, more than ever, need these special cultural spaces to engage, reflect, and reimagine the world. Cork International Film Festival plays just such a vital role in the cultural life of Cork. Please join me in supporting the Festival and ensure that it continues to deliver its positive impact as it nears its 70th anniversary in 2025.
CLLR. DAN BOYLE, ARD MHÉARA CHORCAÍ – LORD MAYOR OF CORK
Cork City Council is extremely proud to support Cork International Film Festival as our vibrant city of culture celebrates Ireland’s first and largest film festival in its 69th edition. Rooted in Cork and embracing the diversity of the global world we are all connected to, the Festival programme encourages pride in our heritage while sparking new ideas and conversation. Showcasing the very best of home-grown and international talent, the Festival highlights Cork as an international city, and very much a European city, unafraid to do things differently – eclectic, inclusive and welcoming. As Cork’s First Citizen, I warmly encourage you to join me in exploring all that the Festival offers and enjoy the spotlight on Cork in November
CIAN BLACKWELL, CHAIR
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Cork International Film Festival. It’s only my first festival as Chair of the Festival board, but it’s the 69th time that Cork has been proud to host the best and longest-running film festival on this island.
This year, you will yet again be presented with an outstanding and diverse selection of cinematic gems, brought to you not just by our fantastic programming team, but by our entire dedicated cohort of staff and volunteers that you’ll meet throughout the Festival.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the generous support of our funders, partners, Festival Friends, Corporate Members and our new Director’s Circle, nor without the support of you, our loyal and indispensable audiences. Thank you for ensuring the success of the Festival, and helping to set us up for the proud milestone of our 70th anniversary next year. Enjoy the show!
INTRODUCTION
DISCOVER FILM, REIMAGINE THE WORLD
FIONA CLARK
Welcome to the 69th Cork International Film Festival. 2024 marks a period of exciting new beginnings for us. We are thrilled to introduce Cian Blackwell as our new Chair and Aurelie Godet as our Director of Programming. Together, they bring a refreshed perspective to our strategic and artistic vision that will guide us as we approach our milestone 70th anniversary next year.
As we carefully plan, curate, and present the diverse selection of films and events in our extensive programme, we are acutely aware of the significant role that a cultural institution like our Festival plays. We understand the responsibility we have to our local and global communities as we engage with filmmakers and artists in a dynamic relationship. At the core of our mission is the defence of artistic expression and the belief that the Festival should serve as a platform for transformative experiences for audiences, fostering connection and dialogue through engagement, welcoming and inclusive of all.
In line with our commitment to supporting filmmakers, we have expanded our range of awards to recognise their creative achievements. Film has the power to challenge boundaries, shift perspectives, and create moments of pure joy that resonate deeply with audiences. Our hope is that you will discover films throughout the Festival and beyond that not only accomplish these aspirations but also exceed them, leaving a lasting impact on all who experience them.
Thank you for joining us on this exciting cinematic adventure.
Fiona Clark
Festival Director & CEO
AURELIE GODET
A world of stories is coming to you, in all of its kaleidoscopic diversity. To guide you through this wealth of choices, some of CIFF’s programme strands were renamed to clarify their promise:
Irish cinema’s creative dynamism is for all to appreciate in Irish Voices and the Best New Irish Feature competition, as well as our short film programmes.
The beloved Guilty Pleasures has grown into Disruptors to welcome new films alongside the disruptors of film history who inspired them. Spirit of the Festival highlights a more complete sample of the best emerging filmmakers from Europe, our continent.
The films in World Tour have an irresistible, universal appeal and those in Momentum invite you to a transformative odyssey.
Not to forget the closer look on mental health offered by Illuminate and on environmental issues by Green Screen. The dizzying inventiveness of the artists featured in Parallax and the thematic echoes created by this year’s time-bending Retrospective. With, always, our Culinary strand for dessert.
And remember, the films in our Family programme are for everyone to enjoy and an ideal entry point into a realm of images that carry meaning.
See you very soon!
Aurélie Godet
Director of Programming