The Wexford Documentary film festival takes place in Kilmore Quay later this month.
The 3 day event will screen over 25 titles; these are based on this year’s theme of ‘Community’, with a strong emphasis on screening films that explore social, political and environmental concerns. Six films of these are Irish premiers.
The Festival opens with the Irish Premiere of the Chinese film 'We The Workers', which follows Chinese labour activists helping workers to negotiate with local officials and factory owners over wages and working conditions. The director Huang Wenhai will attend the Post screening discussion with Jimmy Kelly of Unite Union and Gino Kenny TD, People Before Profit Alliance.
'No Easy Walk to Freedom' exposes human rights violations perpetrated under section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalises homosexuality. Post screening talk, speakers include Ailbhe Smyth, Feminist Academic and LGBT activist.
The Irish premiere of 'Shot In The Dark' is an intimate portrait of three successful artists who have one thing in common; visual impairment as a starting point for their visual explorations. Post Film screening talk with Director Frank Amann and filmmaker Laura Way.
Also screening is the Irish premiere of 'A New Economy Watch' as several organisations move towards a more cooperative future by experimenting with open and non-traditional business models. By rewarding human effort fairly and proportionately instead of obsessing about the bottom line, these revolutionary businesses are creating a more people-friendly future, and new ways to make money and make it sustainably. Post screening talk. Speakers include John Power from the Kilmore Quay Fishermen’s Co-Op and a representative from Callan Camphill Community Coop Housing project Nimble Spaces. Another Irish premiere ‘Tongue cutters’ is a film on fishing related issues.
In addition this year’s professionally facilitated workshops are in movie making, pocket film making, and acting. The festival offers Artists and filmmakers the opportunity to submit work to be included in the festival through an open call with no fee involved; entrance to all screenings and workshops are also free.
Main programming is in two screens in the Stella Maris Centre; however this year sees the addition of some interesting off site venues, these will include the local supermarket, chip shop and Rosslare Europort Terminal.
The Festival’s 3 minute film challenge has become increasingly well known by locals and students, artists and film makers; this section is not limited to documentary and prizes are presented in various categories.
As many Irish media/film students complete their studies at Aberystwith University in Wales the voluntary festival organisers have formed links with the University. Staff and students from their media department will for the first time travel from Wales to Kilmore Quay, bringing three of their films with them.
In association with the festival, the Duncormick based artist and filmmaker Els Dietvorst (Belgium), recent Evens Foundations Prize winner will have a film installation in Kilmore Quay at an off site venue during the weekend.
Stop motion animations by Gorey School of Art summer students will be screened, followed by the Children’s matinee ‘Ant Boy’ with free popcorn for the first 30 people in.
All events are free, including workshops although there is an eventbrite ticketing system on the festival website as there is a limit on the numbers attending some events.
More information is available on the festival website here
