Galway Film Fleadh has announced World, International and Irish Premieres from the 36th edition of the film festival taking place from July 9th – 14th in the Town Hall Theatre and Pálás Cinema.
Highlights from the festival programme for 2024 will include World, International and Irish premieres include the World Premiere of Mrs Robinson which tells Mary Robinson’s story, in her own words, for the very first time - illuminating battles for justice and equality over half a century; on the streets, in the courts, at the ballot box, and in backroom corridors of power. Mrs Robinson from director Aoife Kelleher will premiere on July 13th at 4:30pm at the Town Hall Theatre.
Irish Premieres will include Fidil Ghorm, an Irish language drama that tells the story of 10-year Molly who believes that if she learns to play the fiddle like her dad, she can wake him up from a coma. From director Anne McCabe, Fidil Ghorm will premiere on July 10th at 6:30pm at the Town Hall Theatre.
The Irish Premiere of Kensuke’s Kingdom, a family animation, based on the best-selling novel by Michael Morpurgo features a voice cast including Cillian Murphy, Sally Hawkins and Ken Watanabe. A young boy and his family set off on a sailing trip of a lifetime. Excitement turns to terror when a violent storm erupts and Michael and his dog, Stella, are swept overboard. The Irish Premiere of Kensuke’s Kingdom takes place on July 13 at 11am at Pálás Cinema.
The Irish Premiere of The Teacher from Oscar nominated director, Farah Nabulsi features a Palestinian school teacher played by award-winning actor, Saleh Bakri who struggles to reconcile his life-threatening commitment to political resistance with his emotional support for one of his students and the chance of a new romantic relationship with a volunteer worker played by Imogen Poots. The Teacher will premiere on July 11th at 7pm at Town Hall Theatre.
In the Irish Premiere of Poison, director Désirée Nosbusch teams up with award winning actors Tim Roth and Trine Dyrholm, as Lucas and Edith, who have been previously married, but then estranged for ten years. Prompted by a mysterious summons from Edith, they reunite at a significant location, the graveyard where their only child is buried. Poison will premiere on July 13th at 6pm at the Pálás Cinema.
A nod to the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 tournament sees the introduction of a football themed strand of films including the International Premiere of Football Fever: Genoa Love Affair, a documentary investigating the enduring bond between the city of Genoa and its historic football club, Genoa FC. Through interviews with figures such as Rodrigo Palacio, Domenico Criscito and Diego Milito, the film celebrates Italy’s oldest fan base, describing their bond as “a disease” that unites generations.
Football Fever: Genoa Love Affair will premiere on the 13th of July at 11:30am at the Pálás Cinema.
Speaking about the 36th edition of the Galway Film Fleadh, Director of Programming, Maeve McGrath noted that,
“The 36th edition of the festival features the very best of new Irish Cinema, alongside award-winning films from around the world. Irish language film is prevalent throughout the week with KNEECAP opening the Fleadh and we have introduced new sections including a film lovers programme called CineFleadh Collection. With the UEFA Euro 24 finals the same week as the Fleadh, we have a programme called The Beautiful Game featuring new football themed films.”
“We continue our Architecture on Film programme and Artist on Film, alongside our award-winning strands World Cinema, Peripheral Visions and Generation Fleadh. Our Country of Focus is Palestine where we will showcase the work of film artists who bring the stories of Palestine to the screen.”
“Films in the Defender programme provoke discussion and inform us with themes around social inequality, war and the battle for land rights while What The Fleadh?! returns with a genre cinema programme where anything might happen. With an exciting shorts film programme and the Galway Film Fair running alongside the Fleadh, there is something for both audience and filmmaker at the Fleadh this July.”
Full programme details will be announced on Tuesday, June 25th, with hundreds of events including screenings, Q+A’s and filmmaker interviews, panel discussions, and more.
