THE Irish Film London (IFL) organisation have revealed a bustling programme of online events celebrating St Brigid’s Day this weekend.
Delivered in association with the Irish Embassy in London, IFL’s full festival line-up offers online audiences the chance to revisit recent female-fronted Irish feature films, a selection of Irish shorts, two new podcast releases and exclusive conversations with some of the filmmakers involved.
The highlights include a preview of The 8th, which tells the story of Irish women and their fight to overturn one of the most restrictive laws on abortion in the world, and a discussion with the makers of the film - which is due for release later this year.
Dirty God, a film depicting the aftermath of a violent acid attack on a young mother, will also be screened as part of the festival, and Wildfire, the story of two sisters who grew up on the fractious Irish border, is also on the IFL line-up.
Elsewhere the four-day festival will feature conversations with Roisin Conaty and Bridget Christie, along with chats with the all-female production company Alfonso Films.
A new curated selection of short film content will be also available via the Irish Film From Home platform from this weekend, found here, which is the only dedicated online platform for Irish film, TV and animation in the UK, with a regular feed of Irish films, talks and film-related resources.
IFL, a not-for-profit Irish film organisation based in London, continues to produce online events in response to the current pandemic, as part of an audience engagement strategy that has also resulted in significant audience retention.
After their St. Patrick’s Day Film Festival in March 2020 was diverted online at short notice, owing to the UK’s sudden lockdown, the team have continued to plan and deliver digital film screenings, courses and a range of other activities for audiences to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.
Newly appointed Head of IFL Gerry Maguire said: “With COVID-19 still a threat to public events, we’re continuing to focus on what’s possible online through our great Irish Film From Home platform, offering a unique Irish film experience, and the IFL podcast providing that extra dimension.”
He added: “But I'm proud to say my first events for Irish Film London will also include features and conversations which draw attention to contemporary women’s rights issues.”
For the full schedule of IFL’s St Brigid’s Day events click here.
