Make a fresh start this season with an exciting break in beautiful Galway. Wander Galway City’s cobble-stoned streets and feel yourself stepping back in time to Medieval Ireland. Known the world over for its friendly people, charming streets, shopping and nightlife, Galway will refresh flagging spirits like no other place. Visit the famous Galway Farmers Market in Church Lane for lots of great Irish delicacies and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere. Have a break to remember in Galway.
Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority. Our role is to support the tourism industry and work to sustain Ireland as a high-quality and competitive tourism destination. We provide a range of practical business supports to help tourism businesses better manage and market their products and services.
We also work with other state agencies and representative bodies, at local and national levels, to implement and champion positive and practical strategies that will benefit Irish tourism and the Irish economy.
We promote Ireland as a holiday destination through our domestic marketing campaign (DiscoverIreland.ie) and manage a network of nationwide tourist information centres that provide help and advice for visitors to Ireland.
The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland’s first long-distance touring route, stretching along the Atlantic coast from Donegal to West Cork. The overall aim of the project is to develop a route that will achieve greater visibility for the west coast of Ireland in overseas tourist markets.
http://www.wildatlanticway.com
[To finish, may I congratulate everbody who is working in audio-visual media and to offer my blessings for your future endeavours. 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animation_speed=”0.3″]https://galwaycityoffilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Declan-speech-1024×683-300×200.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_text]A Dhaoine Uaisle,
I am delighted to be here on the eve of the first anniversary of the designation of Galway as an UNESCO City of Film. I want to sincerely thank you for your most generous warm welcome.
Is onóir chuí do Ghaillimh é gur ainmníodh an chathair mar Chathair Scannánaíochta UNESCO anuraidh, agus is aitheantas é ar dhúthracht cuid mhór daoine sa cheantar seo atá ag obair i dtionscal na scannán le blianta fada.
[Galway’s designation as UNESCO City of Film last year is indeed an appropriate honour, and it recognises the dedication of many people in this area who have worked in the film sector for many years.]The designation of Galway as an UNESCO City of Film marks a significant achievement for Galway and indeed for the Irish film industry. It is moreover a testament to the spirit of partnership, as I am aware that there were over fifty key partners who worked together to achieve this international recognition of Galway. It is a deserving accolade for Galway and it is also a mark of recognition for the many people, who down through the years have worked tirelessly for and in the film industry in this region. It is also a fitting testament to all of the great directors, producers, writers and actors who have made Galway their home.
Galway is now one of only five cities in the world to have been awarded the City of Film status under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, the others being Bradford in the UK, Sydney, Australia, Sofia in Bulgaria and Busan in South Korea.
Culture is a force for dialogue, social cohesion, economic sustainability and creativity, and it remains at the heart of UNESCO’s mission. The audio visual sector provides natural alliances between education and culture and can play an invaluable role in informing, educating and promoting understanding within and between cultures.
Galway has joined with the only other Irish city in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Dublin, which received the status of UNESCO City of Literature in 2009. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities and it has identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. The cities are now working together towards a common objective: placing creativity and cultural practice at the heart of their development plans at local level and cooperating actively at international level. It is appropriate that Galway now has the opportunity to form a key part of this global network. There are lessons that already flow from the international discussion on culture and creativity. Among the most important of these is that it is when the public space has been enriched by an open, professional, cultural policy that the best conditions for cultural industries can emerge and be sustained.
The objectives of City of Film are already being adopted by Galway, including the strengthening of the creation, production, distribution and enjoyment of film, the promotion of creativity and creative expression in film, the enhancement of access to and participation in film, especially among marginalised or vulnerable groups in society, and the integration of film into local development plans. All of this affirms that a film is never simply a traded commodity but rather is a complex reflection of imagination, technical skill and aesthetic judgement.
I know that the designation will further enhance this existing work and provide the opportunity, with more partners and due recognition, to achieve your objectives with greater ambition.
This success has not come about overnight. Thirty years ago film infrastructure in Galway, depended on the belief, dedication and sharing of skills and resources by just a few independently-minded people wishing to explore the art form for some to tell their stories against the magnificent backdrop of the surrounding region, for others to bring the pleasure of a European and world film to a wider audience. The metamorphosis of the last thirty years has been remarkable. Galway has been home to The Irish Film Board/Bord Scannán na hÉireann, the national film agency since 1993. An Bórd Scannán has supported the production of 250 feature films, as well as short films and animations. There is a welcome partnership too between TG4 and An Board Scannán.
There had been, of course, the use of the western region as a location for filmmaking. The tradition of filmmaking here stretches back to the turn of the last century. Shot on the Aran Islands Robert O’Flaherty’s landmark documentary, Man of Aran, recorded in 1905, won the Best Foreign Film category at the Venice Film Festival in 1934. Subsequently other international filmmakers, enticed by the beauty of the region to live and film here, include John Ford and John Huston. John Ford’s (nee Feeney) parents came from Spiddal and he is the only director to have won 4 Best Director Oscars.
Galway today boasts a large number of experienced film and television professionals who have learned their trade through the many productions that have been shot here.
Indeed, Galway is the biggest audio-visual hub outside of Dublin and includes many award winning companies such as Abú Media, Telegael, Eo Teilifis and Magamedia, as well, of course, as the national broadcaster TG4.
TG4 has supported an ever-increasing number of local production companies making award-winning Irish language shorts, documentaries and feature-length works.
The story continues as Galway’s new dedicated art-house cinema, Galway Picture Palace, will open its doors later next year and builds on a strong tradition of audience support for filmmakers pioneered by Ireland’s longest running film association, The Galway Film Society.
Galway’s designation as UNESCO City of Film thus reflects the strong heritage and predominance of film in the fabric of Galway society. This is due in no small part to the many talented Irish filmmakers who have been attracted to the area and become part of the cultural fabric, including Bob Quinn, Lelia Doolan, Joe Comerford, Martin McDonagh and John Michael McDonagh.
Film is a powerful art form. It has its own potential as a cultural expression, of both memory and imagination. It realises itself in an act of communication. Thus has to be always privileged as we note the practical economic significance of being a City of Film.
The UNESCO designation offers huge potential for growth in the West of Ireland. The film sector is worth in the region of over €72 million to the local economy with over 600 full-time jobs. In relation to the wider economy, employment levels within the overall audio-visual industry has a turnover of over €500 million, which has also increased to over 6,500 full-time job equivalents. This represents a 20% increase in employment in the sector from over 5,000 in 2008.
The audio-visual industry is delivering significant returns on investment in terms of direct contribution to the economy and employment. Much of this production activity is as a result of large increases in the area of independent television production, primarily driven by international high-end drama and animation such as “Vikings” and “Penny Dreadful”.
Freedom of expression is an important right and UNESCO continues to advocate for the harnessing of information and communication technologies, building knowledge societies and bridging divides. Receiving the designation of an UNESCO Creative City will ensure that Galway City and County will continue to embrace the values of UNESCO and to truly become a creative region in the most inclusive sense.
May I take this opportunity of congratulating the Director of Galway Film Centre, Declan Gibbons, both Local Authority Managers, for Galway City and County, Brendan Mc Grath and Kevin Kelly, along with over 50 key partners from across the West of Ireland, including Bord Scannán na hÉireann / The Irish Film Board, Galway Picture Palace, Galway Film Fleadh, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Abú Media, Studio Solas, GMIT Film and Documentary Department, Huston School of Film and Digital Media, The Whitaker Institute, NUI Galway, The Creative Europe Desk Galway, Cinemobile, EO Teilifís as well as individual filmmakers and film artists for supporting the bid process, including my life-long friend Lelia Doolan. Lelia, has been a stalwart for independent film production since the 1970s and has been a champion for many whose voices and stories were not being heard. It is through her determination that Galway’s new dedicated art-house cinema, Galway Picture Palace, will open its doors next year.
Galway’s film institutions include this Galway Film Centre, TG4, the Galway Film Fleadh, the Telegael live-action film studio facility, the John Huston School of Film and Digital Media and the headquarters of the Irish Film Board. The UNESCO City of Film offices are now housed within Galway Film Centre, here in the grounds of Cluain Mhuire. I wish all the key organisations involved in the successful bid success as they work together into the future to maximise the potential of this unique global designation.
Mar fhocal scoir is mian liom gach éinne atá ag obair sna meáin closamhairc a mholadh agus mo bheannachtaí ó chroí a ghuí ar bhur saothar don todhchaí.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.
Short films will be screened from Bradford-UK, Sofia-Bulgaria, Busan-South Korea and Sydney-Australia and they will be an eclectic mix of short documentaries and fictional tales reflecting the personality of the 5 cities. The event will be held in the Galway City Museum’s Education Room from 5.15pm until 8.30pm and the films will be screened on a loop over the evening.
The running order for the evening will include films from:
Galway
Contact – 6.33mins – Dir. Laura Poortenga
Brief Lives – 5.33mins – Dir. Anna Downes
Knitted Memories – 3.45mins – Dir. Mary Fitzpatrick
Bradford
Spare Key – 6.33mins – Dir. Ross Birks
Busan
Bus Stop – 4.38mins – Dir. Park Soo-Min
Sofia
Botev is an Idiot – 8.51mins – Dir. Deyan Bararev
Ginka – 13.13mins – Dir. Antonia Milcheva
Sydney
Flat Daddy – 15.26mins – Dir. Matt Holcomb
See the official Culture Night website for more Culture Night information.
GALWAY CITY MUSEUM
SPANISH PARADE
GALWAY
H91 CX5P
#Bradford City of Film #Busan City of Film #Sofia City of Film #Sydney City of Film
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/
Galway Film Centre in association with Galway City and County Councils drove the bid process which started two years ago. The final bid submission on behalf of the consortium of over 50 organisations drawn from across Galway city and county was submitted in March 2014. Following a fiercely competitive evaluation process, sixty three cities worldwide were shortlisted by UNESCO to fifty cities with twenty making the final selection, one of which was Galway, which won the highly prestigious and permanent title of UNESCO City of Film.
Galway, now formally joins the UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network as a designated UNESCO City of Film. This permanent status and designation gives Galway immediate access to a global platform, joining over sixty cities worldwide including major metropolitan and cultural centres such as Sydney, Seoul, Shanghai, Montreal, Buenos Aires, Berlin and Edinburgh. Galway’s twin city of Bradford in the UK was the first city to be awarded the title of UNESCO City of Film in 2009.
The UNESCO Creative cities network seeks to develop international cooperation amongst cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable development. Galway city and county already boast an impressive, healthy and growing film and TV industry, worth in the region of €72m to the local economy and employing over 600 people full time. Such international recognition, propels Galway into an impressive worldwide network, opening new opportunities in the world of film and TV. UNESCO city of film presents Galway with hugely positive economic, creative and artistic opportunities, sharing in a vast international resource while fostering worldwide cooperation for sustainable urban development.
Speaking in response to the announcement, Mayor of Galway, Cllr. Donal Lyons, said:
“I am absolutely thrilled on behalf of the city of Galway and would like to thank and congratulate everyone who has been involved in this successful bid. This is fantastic news for the film, TV, artistic and cultural community, and of course the city and region as a whole. It reflects so positively on Galways strong heritage of film and acknowledges our current level of creative activity, pointing to a bright future for the production, promotion and appreciation of film in Galway and the West.”
The Mayor went on to note:
“The designation of Galway as a UNESCO City Of Film will, of course, add to and enhance our international status as a creative city and will be enormously beneficial to our bid to be named European Capital of Culture 2020. Galway is now recognised internationally for our quality of artistic work and engagement, which is testament to all those working in this creative vibrant and lucrative film and TV sector.”
Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Mary Hoade, joined the Galway City Mayor by saying:
“This designation shows how a determined group of people, supported by statutory and other bodies, can come together and show the world what a fabulous, creative and resourceful place Galway is. I would like to thank UNESCO and also ensure our active participation in the creative cities network and reiterate our commitment to the further development and support of the film and audio visual sector in Galway.”
Galway UNESCO City of Film announcement comes on the back of a hugely successful week for the Galway Film Centre which held its annual Film and TV seminar on Thursday and Friday. This year’s seminar hosted heavy hitters from the world of Film and TV including Beau Willimon creator and show runner of the hugely successful Netflix drama series House of Cards. Gub Neal former head of Channel 4 drama and producer of the hit series The Fall. Claire Jennings BAFTA winning producer of Coraline and The Curse of the Were Rabbitt amongst many others leading names.
A visibly delighted Declan Gibbons, manager of Galway Film Centre, said:
“This is hugely significant for Galway to be honoured and awarded the UNESCO City of Film status and it has already opened doors for us. I travel to the Houses of Parliament in London on Tuesday morning (2nd December) to meet the Director General of the BBC, the Head of Sky Arts, the CEO of the BFI as well as Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam as part of a UNESCO event organised by Bradford City of Film. If we hadn’t gotten the designation I would not be going. This will open so many opportunities for Galway that it is actually quite overwhelming.”
The process involved a formal application which was submitted in March 2014 in a bid led by Galway City Council and Galway County Council and facilitated by Galway Film Centre. The application went through a lengthy evaluation process involving international experts, research centres, universities and international associations specialising in urban development, culture and creative industries.
Over 50 organisations were involved in the Galway bid which was co-ordinated primarily by Declan Gibbons, Galway Film Centre, Lelia Doolan, Galway Picture Palace and Dr Jenny Dagg and The Creative Edge Paroject at The Whitaker Institute, NUI, Galway. Other key players involved were Galway County Council Arts Office, Galway City Council Arts Office, Bord Scannán na hÉireann / The Irish Film Board, Galway Film Fleadh, GMIT, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Abú Media, Creative Europe Desk Galway, Cinemobile, Huston School of Film & Digital Media as well as many local producers and production companies.
Galway’s twin city of Bradford in the UK was the first city to be awarded UNESCO City of Film and Galway is only the second Irish city to be recognised by UNESCO. Dublin won UNESCO City of Literature in 2009.
Galway now celebrates this historic achievement and looks forward to the next chapter as a world centre of excellence and creativity.
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