by Rose Rushe
KING John’s Castle, aged landmark, was an appropriate venue for the media launch of Richard Harris International Film Festival on the night of Tuesday 5.
Lamped over the castle keep was the above image of Harris created by LSAD trained artist Thomas Delohery, commissioned specially for the festival’s image.
Set to run December 6 to 8 out of 69 O’Connell Street and its state of the art film facilities, festival director Robbie Gill told the crowd of “ambitious plans for 2014 to expand and intend for this festival to take place for many years to come as a lasting and worthy memorial to a true icon of stage and screen”.
Guests included Limerick film maker Gerry Stembridge, Harris Hayman and his wife Anne-Marie, arts officer Sheila Deegan, City of Culture director Karl Wallace and Oonagh Kelly of Failte Ireland.
“Richard’s sons Damien, Jared and Jamie have confirmed they will attend the festival, as will Ella, Damien’s daughter,” Rob confirmed on November 21.
“That representitives of films we are screening such as ‘G.B.F’. and ‘Mister John’ will be there can only be confirmed close to the festival due to people being on sets and so on.
“Our opening film on Friday December 6, 7pm will be “Life’s a Breeze’ with Pat Shortt and Fionnuala Flanagan“.
He is delighted with the availability of 69 O’Connell Street for this, the inaugural fest.
“It has historical connections to Georgian Limerick and is close to The Crescent where Richard went to school. The former Belltable is an iconic venue and central – our focus is to keep the festival within the city centre although we may expand other venues next year.
“No. 69 was completely updated two years ago and has full digital cinema package, the facilities that a modern cinema theatre should have”.
Go online at www.richardharrisfilmfestival.ie for tickets and programme details such as Sunday 8’s illustrated talk by Sharon Slater on ‘Limerick and Hollywood – Constance Smith and Liam Redmond‘.
