Offline Offaly Film Festival 2016 Officially Launched
The 7th annual OFFline Offaly Film Festival was officially launched at The Chestnut Bar, Birr on Sunday 18 September.
This year’s Festival runs from Wednesday October 12th– Sunday October 16th in Birr and the surrounding region.
Lights, Camera, Action: Bébhinn Hoctor and Annabel Haslam enjoying the official launch of the OFFline Offaly Film Festival 2016 in Birr last Sunday
One of the highlights will be the screening of the brand new Irish film The Flag starring much loved Irish comedian and actor, Pat Shortt. Directed by Clara’s Declan Recks and written by Edenderry’s Eugene O’Brien, (the same team behind RTÉ’s Pure Mule) it will screen at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre on Thursday 13 October before going on general release across the country the following day.
The festival will open with the screening of the lauded feature film A Date for Mad Mary on Wednesday 12 October, with the rest of the week made up of numerous screenings, Pocket Filmmaking workshops, Mini Movies, ‘Made in Offaly’ short films, a Frozen Sing-A-Long & Dress Up and more.
The everpopular 57 Hour Filmmaking Challenge is also back. This year Irish and International filmmaking teams will descend on Birr to make their short films in a little over two days, with the winner guaranteed a spot at the prestigious 2017 Galway Film Fleadh (a feeder for the Oscars!).
Speaking at the launch, Festival Director Gary Hoctor said: “We are delighted that OFFline continues to go from strength to strength. We’ve received hundreds of short film submissions from all over the world again this year. With every Festival we face new challenges, but each year, OFFline brings fresh interest to filmmaking in the region.”
Nicholas Ryan-Purcell, director of Against All Odds which will screen at OFFline 2016 pictured with OFFline Film Festival Chairperson Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy TD
You can find this year’s programme at www.offlinefilmfestival.com or log on to www.facebook.com/OfflineFilm
