IT is terrific to see 69 O’Connell Street realise its potential again as prime central venue and state-of-the art cinema. Richard Harris International Film Festival (RHIFF Dec 6-8), which rolls out with the premier of ‘Life’s a Breeze’ tonight at 7pm, will host Limerick Short Film Showcase there on Saturday 7 from 12pm onwards. The film selection is curated by the festival’s creative director, Eleanor McSherry, a film maker herself.
“There are 10 short films by Limerick based film makers screening on a pay as you go basis – we want as many people to see them as possible. As we know, shorts win Oscars,” McSherry states. “A number of these have been screened at film festivals in Ireland and abroad. I am heavily involved with the Behind the Scenes filmmakers network and I know the film makers [of these shorts] and their work well”.
‘Listen’ is by Keith Bogue with Nigel Mercier as lead; Peter Delaney of LAG Cinema made ‘My Passenger’; Dermott Petty has two entrants, ‘The Good, The Bad and The Sean Nós Dancer’ and ‘For Goth and Country’.
Working with Meave McGrath of Sídhe Theatre and Film company, McSherry herself was party to ‘Vanner’ [selected for Chicago and for Galway festivals] one of three films screening with actor Zeb Moore of Magic Roundabout Theatre.
That there is no platform in Limerick for film goers to access short films made locally or with Limerick directors/ actors is a sore point, addressed by RHIFF’s volunteer founders of Moore, McSherry and festival director Rob Gill.
Their only funding has been €1000 from The Gathering Ireland and sponsorship from a handful of city businesses, including Limerick’s Live 95fm and George Boutique Hotel.
“There are six or seven film production making courses in the city between LIT and Mary Immaculate College and others. We are punching well above our weight and if we want to bring Hollywood to Limerick we have to be able to fund it,” McSherry makes clear.
This festival committee has worked without pay for 11 months in the creation of this first festival which is endorsed by the Harris family, flying in for the premiers and screenings. Richard’s son Damien and his daughter Ella are due for the Pat Shortt/ Fionnuala O’Flangan comedy ‘Life’s a Breeze’.
The hope is that 2014 will see it become bigger and better, a calendar staple commanding international respect for quality and variety.
See www.richardharrisfilmfestival.com for programme and tickets.
via Limerick Short Film Showcase | Limerick Post Newswrite.
