Curtain up on the Cork International Film Festival

THE 68th Cork International Film Festival opens today and continues right through to Sunday, November 26, bringing not only the latest and best Irish and international features, documentaries and shorts to a range of venues throughout the city and county, but also some classics from the archives.

Screenings in the city will be held at the Opera House, Everyman, Triskel, the Gate, Crawford Art Gallery and the Lord Mayor’s Pavilion. Regionally, there will be showings at the Reel Picture in Ballincollig and Blackpool, the Gate in Midleton and Mallow, Cinemax in Bantry, the Regal Cinema in Youghal, and the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh.

You really do have to log on to the packed programme to find out about everything: ( www.corkfilmfest.org) . However, here are some of the star listings:

The big Opening Gala tonight at the Opera House, screening the Irish premiere of Poor Things, which received the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

The Irish premiere of All Of Us Strangers, starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal.

The world premiere of So This Is Christmas, from Irish filmmaker Ken Wardrop.

And the Irish premiere of Eileen, directed by William Oldroyd and starring Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie.

There are other premieres from Irish filmmakers Paul Duane (All You Need Is Death), Alan Gilsenan (The Days Of Trees) and Paul Mercier (Prospect House), all of which are in competition for the CIFF Best New Irish Feature award, alongside the highly-anticipated Irish gala premiere of One Night In Millstreet, directed by Andrew Gallimore.

Triskel Arts Centre is showing a wonderful programme of short films during the festival, including, this Sunday at 15.30pm, some of my sister, Flora Kerrigan’s early experiments in film animation in the 1960s.

A very active member of the Cork Cine Club in the late 1950s and ’60s, Flora produced a large number of short films, several of which won awards. They are presented on this occasion by the Irish Film Institute in association with Maynooth University.

Then there is Cruinniú na nÓg, a national celebration of creativity for children and young people, which will present a free line-up of Festival short films from Ireland and Europe on Saturdays, to delight younger filmgoers.

So much on, so many choices to make! Go check them all out. Tickets from corkfilmfest.org, or via the myCIFF app (available on Apple iOS and Android).

The Opera House has other events on this week too, as well as that opening night gala.

Tomorrow night, sheer delight for anyone who loved Dire Straits and their amazing releases. The tribute show, Money For Nothing, faithfully recreates that incredible sound. On Saturday night, in strong contrast, a presentation on The Psychology of Serial Killers by ex-forensics lecturer Jennifer Rees. Booking for these on 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

The annual Cork One Act Theatre Festival is running this week at the Cork Arts Theatre. Groups from around the country have gathered to compete for the all-important points in their bid to reach the All-Ireland One Act Final.

Eleven groups are participating. Last night we had Gaggin Drama Group, Gunpowder Productions, and Ennis Players. Tonight brings Carraig na bhFear, Oakhill Players, and Kilmeen Drama Group. Tomorrow, Friday, Carlow Little Theatre is on stage, followed by Coachford Players, and Blue Hat Productions.

On Saturday, the final night, Camross Drama Group, and Conna Drama Group, after which the final adjudication and awards presentation will take place.

It is always a tense and exciting week, with audiences getting as involved as the performers and indeed the adjudicator, Evelyn O’Sullivan. It’s 8pm each night, but get there early! 021 450 5624 or www.corkartstheatre.com.