IndieCork festival will open new Arc Cinema

THE highly anticipated IndieCork returns for its 11th festival next month at the new Arc Cinema, formerly The Gate, on North Main St.

It will be the first event onscreen at the venue which has been revamped in recent months.

This year’s programme has amongst its highlights, world premieres of internationally acclaimed documentaries and features, special focus programmes and an expansive selection of short films curated from a record breaking number of entries this year.

Festival co-director, Úna Feely, is confident that IndieCork 2023, which runs from December 15 to 22, will be a vibrant and engaging festival.

“Our programme is richly diverse this year. 

“We’re privileged to be showing the Irish-Lebanese film In The Shadow of Beirut which is Ireland’s entry to the Academy Awards but also the Japanese and the Slovakian Academy entries. 

“We have a special focus on cinema from Québec, plus international festival directors attending from Tribeca, Flatpack, and Venice film festivals to be on our juries". 

“It’s an exciting year, being the first event into the new Arc Cinema, and happening right at Christmas time, so we feel sure it will be a special year. 

“We’d also like to extend our thanks to the great support we’ve had from everyone, including our main sponsor Blacknight, Cork City Council, Culture Ireland, National Talent Academies of course, our amazing venue partners, The Arc Cinema."

The opening night film of the 2023 festival is The Trouble with Jessica, directed by Matt Winn, who will attend on the night. 

The film won the 'Special Jury' and the 'Audience' award at the recent Dinard Film Festival.

IndieCork closes this year with the legendary Wim Wenders latest film,  Perfect Days , which won ‘Best Actor’ at Cannes Film Festival this year. 

A "panorama" of new international films offering cinematic views into other cultures also features this year, with films from Ukraine, Syria, Palestine, Kazakhstan, China, Germany, and the US featuring on the schedule, amongst others.

Festival co-director, Mick Hannigan, said there is a lot to look forward to in the 2023 festival programme. 

“There are so many great films this year, but a standout for anyone interested in Irish history will be the world premiere of Rebel Wife, which tells the story of Mary Jane O’Donovan Rossa, the wife of O’Donovan Rossa, the famous Irish Nationalist from Cork. 

“ Rebel Wife has been directed by her great grandson who will visit Cork for the screening. 

“It’s one of many very powerful documentaries in the lineup for IndieCork 2023. 

“However, we are also really impressed by the quality and creativity of many documentaries and features this year," he said. 

Tracey O’Brien of The Arc Cinema said IndieCork is a fantastic way to relaunch the premises.

“We're thrilled to bring IndieCork into the Arc Cinemas family. 

“We really appreciate the patience and understanding of Úna, Mick and the entire IndieCork team and are delighted to open our newly refurbished cinema with another fantastic edition of the festival. 

“We can't wait to get the best of Cork, Irish and international independent film on screen."

IndieCork will shortly publish its music, performance and industry programme, another part of the festival offering. 

The music events take place at The Pavilion on Carey’s Lane over December 17 and 18. 

Industry masterclasses, talks and events will all be listed on www.indiecork.com.  

Tickets go on sale from Tuesday, December 5 at www.cork.arccinema.ie.