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Nov 29
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Galway City of Film Celebrates Five Years

By History, Local Interest, News, Partners, Press, Screenings, Unesco

A special industry event held last night in Galway celebrated 2 key anniversaries in Film in the city. In 2014 Galway became the fifth city in the world to achieve the status of UNESCO City of Film, in recognition of the rich history and vibrant culture of filmmaking that continues in the city and county to this day. Galway City of Film is now celebrating its 5th anniversary of that recognition, and is taking a wonderful opportunity to look back at what has been achieved so far.

City of Film highlights include organising camps for young filmmakers and animators, hosting the One Minute Film Festival and 48 Hour Challenge, supporting short film funding schemes through Galway Film Centre such as Science on Screen and the GFC/RTÉ Short Film Scheme, local initiatives supporting industry including the Fís TV Summit and the WRAP Fund, as well as screenings, student exchanges, research and collaboration across the now 18 Cities of Film in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

With the confluence of these two events comes a unique opportunity to present our Galway UNESCO ‘City of Film/Ceantar Scannán’ Award to local film producer Lelia Doolan. An honour that has only been presented to one other recipient, Uachtaráin Michael D Higgins. It is difficult to think of anyone that has contributed more to the local and national film industry than Lelia Doolan and Galway City of Film wish to honor her and her legacy of incredible work by presenting this award to her as part of our celebrations.

Launched in 2014 by Uachtaráin Michael D. Higgins, Galway City of Film has offered valuable supports and resources to the filmmaking community in the city over the last five years that otherwise would not have been possible.

The award presentation was followed by a screening of Cumar – A Galway Rhapsody, a feature film directed by Aodh Ó Coileáin and produced by Paddy Hayes celebrating Galway artists including Rita Ann Higgins, Tommy Tiernan and Noeline Kavanagh.

Apr 11
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Sustainable Development Goals

By News, Partners, Press, Technology, Unesco

Heads of State, Government leaders, UN High Level Representatives and civil society met in September 2015, at the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, and adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These represent a universal, ambitious, sustainable development agenda, an agenda “of the people, by the people and for the people,” crafted with UNESCO’s active involvement.

http://en.unesco.org/sdgs

Feb 03
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New Fund for Science Films

By Learning, Local Interest, News, Participation, Partners, Press, Production
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New Fund for Science Films in Galway City of Film

Under the Galway UNESCO City of Film designation, Galway Film Centre, in association with the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), have just launched a partnership project called ‘Science on Screen’ funded through Science Foundation Ireland’s Discover Programme, which aims to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production. The Science on Screen project will 100% fund two 26 minute science films with a budget of €35,000.00 each. These two TV half hour programmes will be based around areas of research currently underway in CÚRAM.

Interested producers are invited to register their interest by contacting scienceonscreen@galwayfilmcentre.ie and are invited to attend an information day on Saturday February 27th in NUI Galway (10am – 1pm). This open day will be a chance for potential producers and filmmakers to hear first-hand from scientists working in CÚRAM who will give short presentations on key areas of research currently underway in the centre. There will also be a short networking session where filmmakers and scientists will get to meet informally.

After this initial briefing and introduction to the research by CÚRAM scientists, filmmakers will be invited to apply for the funding by submitting a treatment to Galway Film Centre by March 25th. Treatments will be assessed on a competitive basis and two filmmakers will be selected. The areas of research that filmmakers would be required to incorporate include the use of biomaterials and ‘smart’ implantable medical devices to treat and improve health outcomes for patients with spinal injuries, nerve damage, degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, osteoarthritis or cardiovascular disease. Creativity and an innovative approach to incorporating the subject matter will be highly valued in the application process.

The project aims to provide two experienced filmmakers with funding and access to leading scientists and laboratories within CÚRAM, as well as access to patient groups, to explore methods of scientific ‘story telling’ that incorporates aspects of current research being carried out by CÚRAM and its academic partners across Europe. Over 200 renowned experts in biomaterials, drug delivery, cell therapy, glycoscience and device design are working on blue sky research and industry projects associated with the research centre. Galway Film Centre are also in discussion with a broadcaster to air the finished films by November 2016.

Declan Gibbons, Manager of Galway Film Centre, said “we are delighted to be involved in this iniative which offers a very exciting and well funded opportunity to filmmakers. The research that is being done in CÚRAM is at the cutting edge of modern science and we hope that this work will inspire filmmakers to make films that are informative, creative and the start of a whole new wave of film and science projects. It also fits perfectly with our remit as a UNESCO City of Film, a core aim of which is to promote educational film projects.”

“We hope that the project will encourage greater collaboration between the research and filmmaking communities in Ireland” said Prof Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM “there are a great many stories to tell that originate or are influenced by what happens in the laboratory and we look forward to working with filmmakers to bring them to the fore”.

For further information and to register for the Science on Screen Information Day at CÚRAM, please contact scienceonscreen@galwayfilmcentre.ie or call 091 770748.

Visit www.galwayfilmcentre.ie and www.curamdevices.ie.

#ScienceonScreen

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Nov 30
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Ceantar Scannán Honorary Award

By Entertainment, Local Interest, Movies, News, Participation, Partners, Press, Production, Screenings

President of Ireland to receive Honorary Award from Galway UNESCO City of Film for Outstanding Contribution to Galways Film and Television Industry.

 

Galway UNESCO City of Film will present the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins with an honorary award at an inaugural ceremony on Monday the 30th of November, at 4pm in Galway Film Centre. President Michael D. Higgins will be honoured for his outstanding contribution to Galways film and television industry and for the rich legacy he has left to the sector from his time as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

 

The President’s imprint on the Irish film and television sector, especially in the areas of policy and tax incentives, is highly significant. He was Ireland’s first Minister for Arts, Heritage. Declan Gibbons, Director of Galway UNESCO City of Film, said:

 “President Higgins’ influence and positive impact on the development of the Irish film industry is, quite simply, unsurpassed. Not only did he establish a seat for the Arts at the cabinet table, he also made key policy decisions that we are still benefiting from, almost twenty years later. His energy and persuasiveness brought Hollywood productions, such as Mel Gibson’s Braveheart, to locate to Ireland and he fast-tracked Connemara’s film and television evolution by establishing a Connemara film studio with Hollywood producer Roger Corman. We are delighted that he has agreed to accept our inaugural award in Galway where the sector is responsible for 600 full time jobs and is worth over €72m to the local Galway economy. If you drive in Connemara, from Barna to Ballynahown you see his legacy practically on every mile of the journey. We are also very pleased that so many of the beneficiaries of his influence can join and enjoy our short ceremony today”.

It’s one year on, December 1st 2014, since Galway was first awarded the prestigious title of UNESCO City of Film and became one of only five cities in the world to achieve this much sought-after status. Celine Curtin, Chair of Galway Film Centre, commented:

“to celebrate our first anniversary we wanted to do something to remind people that this designation is not just for one year, it is permanent but we much continue to work at it and keep developing the sector under the much coveted UNESCO creative city’s designation. This week we will distribute 40,000 booklets throughout all of Galway and these booklets explain exactly what the designation means, why Galway received it, what’s going on and how people from across the city and county can get involved. We are obviously delighted that the first recipient of our award will be President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, who will be presented with a specially commissioned silver brooch by Galway jeweller, Berina Kelly. The brooch depicts our City of Film emblem and is a beautiful piece of art.”

In addition to announcing the inaugural honorary Galway award, Mr Gibbons also highlighted a series of highly emotive and innovative upcoming events scheduled for the next few months under the UNESCO City of Film banner. Included are Talking Documentary, an international film seminar to take place in Galway on January 16th and 17th with confirmed guests Asif Kapadia (Amy) and Sean McAllister (A Syrian Love Story) and a host of top international filmmakers. Also starting in January will be 100 Years of Cinema, a year-long celebration of Irish cinema centred around one Saturday in each month in An Taibhdhearc, where films, discussions and talks will take place with a well known film expert programming each day. Every major film organisation in the city will be involved in this event which kicks off on January 23rd with a very full schedule lined up by Gar O’Brien, Programmer at Galway Film Fleadh.

In the coming weeks Galway Film Centre also hope to announce a significant film project aimed at developing emerging filmmakers called Science On Screen in partnership with Cúram, Centre For Research in Medical Devices in NUIG. The recently announced Action Plan for Jobs contains a commitment to both develop the film sector in the West, and to explore and develop a Regional Film Fund. Galway Film Centre are already working closely with the Irish Film Board and both local authorities, under the UNESCO City of Film banner, to develop this opportunity further. The last year has seen a significant increase in film related activity with Galway Film Centre working locally with the Galway Education Centre to develop training programmes for primary school teachers as well as working in partnership with International IDEA, an inter-government agency based in Sweden. This work sees Galway Film Centre making documentary films that promote democracy on a global scale. This year Galway Film Centre’s Film co-ordinator, Alice McDowell, has been active in film projects in Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, and The Gambia and will continue this work in Malawi and the Pacific Islands next year.

Galway UNESCO Creative City of Film is delighted to invite representatives of the Irish film and Television industry as well as local Galway TD’s and Council representatives, to attend this prestigious celebration of President Michael D. Higgins’ invaluable contribution to Galways vibrant film scene.

Nov 09
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SANCTUARY part of Irish Film Festival Australia

By Entertainment, Local Interest, Movies, News, Participation, Partners, Press, Travel

Sydney City of Film is hosting a special screening of SANCTUARY as part of the Irish Film Festival Australia this Friday 31st March in the Palace Cinema in Sydney.

Now in its third year, the Irish Film Festival Australia takes place from Wednesday 29th March to Saturday 8th April and hosts screenings in both Sydney and Melbourne. The festival presents a program of contemporary film that reflects the complexity, vitality and diversity of Irish communities in Ireland, in Australia and across the globe.

Sydney City of Film stated: Sydney & Galway they’re quite different, there’s no arguing that, but there’s one strong connection between the two – both cities have been awarded the prestigious UNESCO City of Film status! This is a permanent and global honouring and something we should be very proud of both here and at home. Our film festival wants to bring these two great cities together in a celebration of film. The wonderful film SANCTUARY screening on Friday night was filmed in Galway itself and director Len Collin will be joining us on the night!

For more info see The Irish Film Festival Australia website:http://irishfilmfestival.com.au/film/sanctuary/

Irish film fest AustraliaSydney city of film #2UNESCO CoF

 

 

 

Nov 09
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Huston School of Film & Digital Media host Director John Carney

By History, Learning, Local Interest, Movies, News, Participation, Partners, Press, Production

 

Award-winning film director John Carney to speak in the Huston School of Film & Digital Media on Thursday March 30, 2.30pm

John Carney was born in Dublin and was educated at De La Salle College Churchtown and at Synge Street CBS. He was bassist for Irish rock band The Frames between 1991 and 1993 and also directed some of their music videos. In addition to shooting music videos, Carney also wrote and directed two award-winning short films (Shining Star and Hotel) before making his first feature. With fellow film-maker Tom Hall, Carney wrote and directed November Afternoon, his first feature film, in 1996. Despite a limited release, it was acclaimed as the “Film of the Year” by the Irish Times.  John wrote, directed and scored his next project, the hour-long TV film Just In Time, starring Frances Barber and Gerard McSorley. The Irish Times voted it Best TV Film of 1998.

Carney’s next film was the edgy drama Park, which premiered at the Dublin Film Festival. Two years later, in 2001, he co-wrote and directed On the Edge. The film starred Cillian Murphy and Stephen Rea and was released through Universal Studios. He was awarded the Silver Hitchcock Award for On the Edge at the 2001 Dinard Festival of British Cinema.

Carney returned to TV writing and directing during the same year. He co-wrote and co-directed (with his brother Kieran Carney and Tom Hall) the hugely successful RTÉ TV series Bachelors Walk. The independently produced TV series proved the most successful in Irish television history. The series ran for three seasons. In 2006, Carney directed the feature movie Once. First screened at the Galway Film Fleadh, Once had its official world release at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2007 and won the World Cinema Audience Award in the category Dramatic. A low-budget affair shot for only $160,000, Once was hugely successful, grossing $7 million worldwide in its first 3 months of release. Legendary film-maker Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, “Once gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year.”

As writer and director of Once, Carney won the Most Promising Newcomer award in the Evening Standard British Film Awards 2007 and the film went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song. It has since been adapted as one of the most successful theatrical musicals of recent years, including award winning runs on Broadway and the West End. Subsequent films directed by Carney have enjoyed considerable critical and commercial success. Begin Again (2013) grossed over $63 million worldwide (it is the most-watched independent film of all time in South Korea) and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Lost Stars”. His most recent film, the Irish set coming of age musical Sing Street (2016), was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 74th Golden Globes in January 2017.

ALL WELCOME

#GalwayCityofFilm

Sep 25
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New ‘Animation Course’ for Primary School Teachers

By Learning, Local Interest, News, Participation, Partners, Press, Production

Galway City of Film announces new ‘Animation Course’ for Primary School Teachers

 

Galway City of Film is delighted to announce a new ‘Animation Training Course’ for primary school teachers in Galway. Galway Film Centre in partnership with Galway Education Centre will lead primary school teachers through a structured approach to introducing the animation film making process into the classroom as a cross-curriculum medium from concept, scripting, character building, backdrop creation, scene development, shooting and movie production. All technical elements will be covered from scratch using digital tablets, phones, computers and iPad technologies.

The course will provide comprehensive lessons that support the development of children’s creativity and critical response through media literacy while the tutor will give clear practical technical information about the animation making processes and techniques, and equip teachers will all of the skills necessary to bring this fun and exciting medium into the classroom using materials and equipment already available in most schools.

The course will run over 6 weeks, 2 & 1/2 hours per week and will cover a range of modules, developing essential skills in moving-image literacy, communication, teamwork, links across the curriculum, visual arts and even numeracy … and bring so much vibrancy into the classroom.

Eascaitheoir/Facilitators: Denise Mc Donagh and Michael Mc Namara
Dáta / Dates: 7 October, 14 October, 21 October, 4 November, 11 November, 18 November
Ám / Time: 7 pm to 9.30 pm
Clarú Riachtanach / Booking Essential

For any further information please contact:
Galway Education Centre,
Cluain Mhuire,
Wellpark,
Galway

Tel: 091-745600
Fax: 091-745618
Email: info@galwayec.ie
Website: www.galwayec.ie

 

Mar 02
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Twin Cities of Film

By Local Interest, News, Participation, Partners, Press, Travel, Unesco, Visit

Twin Cities of Film: Galway travels to Bradford

Following Galway’s designation as a UNESCO City of Film, a delegation from Galway city and county will travel to Bradford this week to take part in the Bradford International Film Summit.

Bradford became the first UNESCO City of Film in 2009 and, along with its twin city Galway, is one of only five cities globally to share this unique accolade. The summit will stage a series of seminars, events, discussions and screenings to discuss film and TV production, education initiatives and to celebrate what Bradford has achieved over the past five years.

Amongst those traveling include Mayor of Galway, Cllr. Donal Lyons, Galway Chief Executive, Brendan McGrath and Galway County Cathaoirleach Cllr. Mary Hoade.

Mayor Lyons commented:

“I’m delighted that the UNESCO designation has re-invigorated our twinning with Bradford and the Film Summit will present a great opportunity for us to see how being part of the Creative Cities Network has transformed Bradford and how the growth of film activity in Yorkshire has helped drive social and economic change. We will see first hand what they have done and learn what Galway can do to unlock the potential of us now being part of the UNESCO network.“

Galway’s mobile cinema, the Cinemobile is leading the vanguard to Bradford where it will be the centre-piece of activities for the three-day summit. Cinemobile’s Manager Noreen Collins adds “The Cinemobile will be parked in the very heart of Bradford in Centenary Square right outside City Hall where we will be screening the best of contemporary Irish film including Good Vibrations, Dreaming The Quiet Man and the first showing in an Irish venue of Cartoon Saloon’s Oscar nominated The Song Of The Sea. The Cinemobile trip is supported by Galway City Council and Culture Ireland.

Also traveling will be Galway Film Centre Manager Declan Gibbons:

“This will be the first opportunity for us to meet and welcome our new international colleagues to the network, to spend time with the newly designated UNESCO film cities of Busan and Sofia as well as representatives from the cities of Shenzhen (China), Yamagata (Japan), York and Dundee. I am delighted that there is such a strong delegation traveling from Galway, especially senior officials from both local authorities. It shows their ongoing commitment to the UNESCO designation and understanding of the potential. The City of Film status has made a huge impact in Bradford and we can learn from that.”

The Bradford International Film Summit will also host the UK’s leading figures in film and television with support from BAFTA, the British Film Institute (BFI), the British Film Commission (BFC), BBC, Al Jazeera English, Screen Yorkshire, Film4, Yorkshire Film Archive and many independent production companies and film and TV specialists.

For full details and schedule of the Bradford Film Summit see: http://bradford-city-of-film.com/summit/

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About Galway City of Film

c/o Ardán,
CREW Hub,
Wellpark Road,
Galway, Ireland H91 8K85

T: +353(0)91770748
E: info@ardan.ie