70th Cork International Film Festival Brochure by Cork International Film Festival

PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

OUR THANKS TO:

CAMEO CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

Barry's Tea CityLink

Cork Chamber of Commerce

Drury EY

Forvis Mazars

Goodbody

Isaacs Restaurant

KPMG

Mercer & Marsh

Nourish

PFGi

RDJ

Republic of Work

Springboard Communications

EMBASSIES & CULTURAL INSTITUTES

Embassy of Canada

Embassy of Greece

Embassy of Iceland

Embassy of Sweden

Embassy of Switzerland

German Films

Goethe-Institut Irland

Istituto Italiano di Cultura

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

Abigail E. Disney & Pierre Hauser

We warmly welcome you to the milestone 70th Cork International Film Festival. Over 11 days, you will see it first in Cork – the newest and best films from Ireland and around the world, in venues throughout Cork city and county.

We are deeply grateful to our audiences, funders, sponsors, partners, Director’s Circle, Corporate Supporters and Festival Friends for your invaluable support. As a registered charity, your generosity enables us to welcome more than 50,000 people annually and to deliver a world-class cultural experience.

More information can be found at corkfilmfest.org/support. Your contribution, large or small, makes a real difference.

Donal & Cecilia Gallagher

Ger McNaughton

Jackie & Eoin O’Callaghan Anonymous Anonymous

ACCOMMODATION PARTNERS

Silver

The Metropole Hotel

The Montenotte

Bronze

Clayton Hotel Cork City

Clayton Hotel Silver Springs

The Imperial Hotel Maldron Hotel Shandon

Moxy and Residence Inn

Talbot Hotel Midleton

Supporters Hayfield Manor

The River Lee

BECOME A FESTIVAL FRIEND

Enjoy the Festival with complimentary tickets, discounts, access to year-round events, and more.

• Festival Friend €189 | Double Festival Friend €299

• Festival Best Friend €289 | Double Festival Best Friend €399 (Ticket to all films)

CULTURAL SUPPORTERS

Academy of Motion Pictures

Arts and Sciences® aemi

Amnesty International BAFTA

Briery Gap

Cinemax Bantry

Cork Airport

Cork Crystal

Cork Kent Train Station

Cork Migrant Centre

European Film Academy Everyman Theatre

European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland

First Cut! Youth Film Festival Fresh Film Festival

Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA)

Intermission Bar

Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO)

Irish Film Institute (IFI)

Irish Rail

Irish Screen Editors

LUX Audience Award

National Sculpture Factory

National Talent Academies

Olytico (Social Media Analysis Partner)

Out of Frame Cork

Pavilion

Pearl & Dean

Regal Cinema & Wine

Bar Youghal

RTÉ Lyric FM

Sample-Studios

Screen Composers Guild of Ireland

Screen Producers Ireland

Screen Directors Guild of Ireland (SDGI)

X-Pollinator

Storyhouse

St. Peter’s Cork

To Have and To Hold

Triskel Christchurch

UCC Department of Film and Screen Media

VTSL (Telecommunications Partner)

Women in Film & Television

X-Pollinator

BECOME A CORPORATE SUPPORTER

Support CIFF and avail of complimentary tickets & discounts - perfect for staff engagement and client entertainment with great visibility for your company.

• Cameo Corporate Supporter €1,000

• Star Corporate Supporter €3,000

Please consider supporting us further – as a Friend, Supporter, or with a donation added to your ticket purchase. For

BOOK ONLINE NOW

ALL TICKETS MUST BE BOOKED ONLINE AT: CORKFILMFEST.ORG OR VIA THE MYCIFF APP

Or call our Customer Service Phone Line on +353 (0) 21 427 1711

9:30 - 17:30, Mon - Fri, until 28 Oct; 9:45 - 20:30, every day, 3 - 16 Nov

Customer Service: help@corkfilmfest.org

CIFF Box Office is open at the Arc Cinema, North Main Street, from 10:30, 3 - 16 Nov

TICKET PRICES (unless otherwise stated)

Note: there is a €1 booking fee per transaction

GALAS

Opening Gala: Saipan (includes complimentary drink)

€30/€25

Documentary Gala: Shoot the People €20/€18

Family Gala: Lady and the Tramp €14/€12

Family Gala (Family Ticket: 2 adults & 2 children) €48

Awards Gala: Song Sung Blue €20/€18

Closing Gala: Is This Thing On? €20/€18

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Defence of the Realm + David Puttnam & Gabriel Byrne In Conversation

Zardoz + Honorary Disruptor Award

David Puttnam Talk: Festivals Matter

Cine Concert: Stupid August

Music for Domes

CIFF Legacy Day: Symposium

€15/€13

Concession prices apply to under 25s, senior citizens (65+), full-time students and the unemployed. For full details of our ticketing terms and conditions, and for additional information, visit corkfilmfest.org. Please note that all information contained in this guide is correct at the time of printing but that changes may occur. Access info on p. 57 and at corkfilmfest.org/ access.

Cork International Film Festival

CLG, 13 Bridge House, St. Patrick’s Quay, Cork T23 DX9K corkfilmfest.org

Tel: +353 (0) 21 427 1711

Email: info@corkfilmfest.org

Company Number: 081633

Charity Number: CHY20218

+ In the Opinion of the Censor (includes light lunch) pay what you can*

STANDARD SCREENINGS

Daytime (weekdays before 18:00)

€11/€9.50

Evening (weekdays 18:00 onwards) €12.50/€11

Weekends €12.50/€11

Child (applicable to family films only) €8.50

CINEMA PASSES

5 Film Anytime Cinema Pass**

‘7 for €70’ Film Anytime Cinema Pass**

Film Anytime Cinema Pass**

3 Film Student/Under 25 Anytime Pass**

5 Film Student/Under 25 Anytime Pass**

CineSaver U25 Pass - 15 films for €70

(Under 25s only- ID required)**

Passes make great gifts. Simply click ‘Give as a gift’ on checkout, purchase the pass and download the voucher or email the pass directly to your best pal!

*No set price: Pay What You Can.

**Standard screenings only, weekday/evening/weekend. Not applicable to Galas or Special Presentations. ONLINE PROGRAMME

SCHOOLS SCREENINGS

Per Student (accompanying teachers go free)

***DEIS Schools

CINESPARK: Film & Education Day (free, booking essential)

Intinn Youth Film & Mental Health Programme (free but ticketed)

INDUSTRY EVENTS

First Take (includes light lunch) €20/€15

Doc Day (includes light lunch) €20/€15

In the Frame: Focus on Saipan

Menopause & the Screen Sector (free but ticketed)

Doc Day Online (free but ticketed)

FESTIVAL FRIENDS

#CIFF2025

DAVID PUTTNAM

PATRON

The Cork International Film Festival was born in 1956 –five years before the launch of RTÉ television, 20 years before the launch of the VHS machine, and 51 years before Steve Jobs presented the iPhone to the world. It has been witness to almost as much change as I have myself, and it would be easy to question its relevance in our current world of algorithmic entertainment. In fact, festivals like this matter today more than ever: CIFF offers a place for us to come together and experience collective joy – or anguish, or hope, or empathy, or laughter. It gives us a chance to reflect upon ourselves in a truly authentic way. It is a place – like Cork itself – for everyone; where the everyday community can gather and be celebrated in the stories on screen. I am honoured to be part of the 70th anniversary festivities, and I commend each and every person –from the audience to the organisers – who has helped to keep this beacon of the city’s cultural life alive.

CLLR. FERGAL DENNEHY

ARD MHÉARA CHORCAÍ - LORD MAYOR OF CORK

Cork City Council is

extremely proud to support Cork International Film Festival as the city celebrates Ireland’s first and largest film festival in its landmark 70th edition. In 1956, Lord Mayor of Cork, Patrick McGrath, noted: “It was with pride that the citizens of Cork learnt that our City had been honoured as a venue for an International Film Festival… The educational and entertainment value of film, its world-wide distribution, its broad appeal to all of the community make it impossible to overestimate its importance. In welcoming our distinguished visitors we express the hope that the pleasure of their present visit will induce them to return to our shores… where they will always be assured of a Céad Míle Fáilte.”

His words in 1956 still resonate profoundly today. Our pride in showcasing the very best of home-grown and international film talent, which celebrates diversity and creativity, could not be stronger, 70 years on in 2025.

CIAN BLACKWELL CHAIR

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Cork International Film Festival, and especially to this landmark 70th edition in 2025. Cork takes immense pride in hosting Ireland’s premier film festival, one that has long championed and supported the development of Ireland’s film industry, whilst diligently and imaginatively serving and engaging local and international artists and audiences. I want to thank our huge family of supporters, without whom a creative endeavour of this scale and reach would not be possible: the filmmakers and creative partners who contribute to our vibrant and diverse programme; our vital stakeholders, partners, funders, sponsors, corporate and philanthropic supporters; the dedicated Festival team, volunteers and my fellow board members; and most especially, you, our audience. Thank you for your continued support. Enjoy the celebrations!

FIONA CLARK FESTIVAL

DIRECTOR & CEO

DISCOVER FILM, REIMAGINE THE WORLD INTRODUCTION

AURÉLIE GODET DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING

Welcome to the 70th Cork International Film Festival! Along with the honour of being the Director of this Grande Dame of Festivals, I am acutely aware of the responsibility that I, together with our wonderful team and Board, hold as the current custodians of this cherished Cork cultural institution. I hope that our programme of films, special events, and the opportunity to meet and share in transformative experiences will engender a shared pride in this Festival and in this City. Seventy years on, we share our founders’ vision of delivering an extraordinary experience both for and with the residents of and visitors to Cork, upholding the promise of our name: firmly rooted in Cork, but open and welcoming to the world, celebrating film in all its kaleidoscopic forms, and bringing people together in a shared Festival experience.

We continue to celebrate cinematic stories and their makers through our esteemed Shorts and Features Awards, and this year, we are delighted to expand the canon with three new awards. Our Festival was selected by the Council of Europe’s Eurimages Fund to host the prestigious Audentia Award, to promote greater gender equality in the European film industry and to give female filmmakers’ work greater visibility and inspire other women to follow in their footsteps. We are thrilled to honour our Patron, David Puttnam, with an Honorary Award, presented by Gabriel Byrne, and to hear David give a public talk on why film festivals matter. And for our short filmmakers, the hope and inspiration of the future, our new Redbreast UNHIDDEN award joins our trio of Academy Award®-qualifying awards, to further support the opportunity for creative discovery.

Thank you for joining us on this continued cinematic journey of discovery.

For this anniversary edition of the Festival, we listened to you and present here a slightly reduced number of films but with more repeat screenings so you can more easily make your way to the ones that appeal to you. The films on offer are wildly varied but share qualities that are the ones we look out for when composing the programme: sincerity, curiosity, ambition, storytelling power.

Together, we will remind ourselves of all that we have in common with people in neighbouring European countries, and in South Korea, Brazil… Palestine. We will remember that beauty can stem from anything and anywhere, from an Irish tune sung a cappella to a water lily pond in Japan and mad love stories imagined by cool Canadians... We will be surprised, again, that it is still possible to invent new narratives. We will reconnect with our younger selves who once discovered in awe the future classics of film history, perhaps on TV, this time with a chance to enjoy these masterpieces on the big screen. And perhaps we will come back from the Magic Garden with stories to share with our own children, and new ones to imagine.

SCHEDULE

Morning 10:00

Afternoon 12:00

Joan Bergin In Coversation 12:30 ARC (see p. 16)

In the Frame: Saipan 14:00 ROW (see p. 52)

The World of Love 14:30 ARC (see p. 32)

Family Friendly Shorts 11:30 ARC (see p. 42)

Family Gala: Lady and the Tramp 11:00 Everyman (see p. 11)

Ed Guiney In Conversation 11:45 Triskel (see p. 16)

Schools Screenings 10:15 ARC (see p. 43)

INTINN - Screening + Workshop 10.30 Triskel (see p. 43)

Schools Screenings 10:15 ARC (see p. 43)

INTINN - Screening + Workshop 10.30 Triskel (see p. 43)

Rioja: The Land of a Thousand Wines 12:30 ARC (see p. 33)

Nouvelle Vague 13:00 ARC (see p. 25)

RTÉ Lyric FM Movies & Musicals 13:00 Curtis Auditorium, MTU (see p. 17)

Samibizanga 15:00 ARC (see p. 37) Toni Erdmann 13:30 ARC (see p. 37)

Saipan 16:00 ARC (see p. 21) Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland Shorts 14:00 Everyman (see p. 49)

Defence of the Realm + In Conversation with David Puttnam & Gabriel Byrne 17:00 Triskel (see p. 14)

The Wave 17:00 Everyman (see p. 28)

Irish Shorts 4: Out of Competition 17:30 ARC (see p. 49)

Climate in Therapy + Short 14:30 Triskel (see p. 35)

DJ Ahmet 15:00 ARC (see p. 24)

Breathless 15:15 ARC (see p. 25)

Celtic Utopia 17:00 Everyman (see p. 20)

Portrait of a Confused

Father 17:30 Triskel (see p. 31)

Romeria 17:30 ARC (see p. 31)

Irish Shorts 2: In Competition 12:00 ARC (see p. 48)

The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On 12:00 ARC (see p. 36)

The Moelln Letters 14:15 ARC (see p. 30)

Irish Shorts 3: Pure Cork 14:30 Everyman (see p. 49)

My Father's Shadow 14:30 ARC (see p. 21)

Six Weeks On 14:30 ARC (see p. 18)

Songs of Forgotten Trees 15:00 Triskel (see p. 31)

Silent Friend 17:00 ARC (see p. 31)

The Voice of Hind Rajab 17:00 Everyman (see p. 28)

Dogfight 17:30 Triskel (see p. 36)

Fantastique 17:30 ARC (see p. 42)

It Was Just an Accident 17:45 ARC (see p. 24) Mam 17:30 ARC (see p. 33)

Dead Lover 14:45 Triskel (see p. 38)

God Will Not Help 15:00 ARC (see p. 30)

International Shorts 1: Documentary 16:00 ARC (see p. 50)

That Summer in Paris 16:00 ARC (see p. 32)

Theocracy - The Emigrants Artist + A Place Away 17:00 Triskel (see p. 23)

Dandelion's Odyssey 17:45 ARC (see p. 29)

Music for Domes 13:30

St. Peter's (see p. 17)

International Shorts 3: Documentary 14:00 ARC (see p. 50)

Dogfight 15:00 Triskel (see p. 36)

Solomamma 15:30 ARC (see p. 19)

International Shorts 4: Fiction 16:00 ARC (see p. 50)

Music for Domes 16:00 St. Peter's (see p. 17)

Boorman and the Devil 17:15 Triskel (see p. 38)

Sentimental Value 17:15 ARC (see p. 27)

The Girl in the Snow 17:30 ARC (see p. 18)

Evening 18:00

Opening Gala: Saipan 19:00 Everyman (see p. 10)

Emerging Film Artist Exhibition

Lord Mayor’s Pavilion 14-29 Nov (see p. 41)

Cork Film Trail

until 16 Nov (see p. 45)

Strange River 18:00 ARC (see p. 19)

That Summer in Paris 18:15 ARC (see p. 32)

Sentimental Value 20:00 ARC (see p. 27)

Gealtra 20:15 Everyman (see p. 21)

Better Go Mad in the Wild 18:15 ARC (see p. 29)

Rioja: The Land of a Thousand Wines 18:30 Ballymaloe Grainstore (see p. 33)

Blue Moon 20:00 Everyman (see p. 20)

Honey Bunch 20:00 Triskel (see p. 38)

The Ice Tower 20:15 ARC (see p. 24) A Useful Ghost 20:00 ARC (see p. 32)

The Love that Remains 20:20 ARC (see p. 30)

Dead Lover 20:30 Triskel (see p. 38)

Irish Shorts 1: In Competition 20:15 ARC (see p. 48)

Flophouse America 20:45 ARC (see p. 30)

Out of Frame 18:00 The Roundy (see p. 54)

Peak Everything 20:00 ARC (see p. 35)

The Memory Blocks 20:00 ARC (see p. 40)

The Disappearance of Captain Nairac 20:00 Triskel (see p. 23)

The Ugly 20:15 Everyman (see p. 27)

We Believe You 20:15 ARC (see p. 19)

International Shorts 2: Fiction 18:00 ARC (see p. 50)

Reedland 18:00 ARC (see p. 18)

Music for Domes 18:30 St. Peter's (see p. 17)

Army of Shadows 20:00 ARC (see p. 36)

Blame 20:15 Triskel (see p. 35)

Ari 20:30 ARC (see p. 34)

Sirât 20:30 ARC (see p. 27)

EUNIC Short Shorts from Europe 18:00 ARC (see p. 51)

Nouvelle Vague 18:00 Cinemax Bantry (see p. 45)

Music for Domes 18:30

St. Peter's (see p. 17)

The Secret Agent 20:00 ARC (see p. 27)

Zardoz + Disruptor Award 20:00 Triskel (see p. 15)

Sirât 20:15 Cinemax Bantry (see p. 45)

The Currents 20:30 ARC (see p. 29)

Six Weeks On 20:45 ARC (see p. 18)

WED 12 THU 13

CIFF Legacy Day

10:00 UCC (FSM Auditorium) (see p. 46)

Schools Screenings 10:15 ARC (see p. 43)

The Little Sister 15:00 ARC (see p. 25)

CineSpark - Film & Education Day 10:00 Curtis Auditorium, MTU (see p. 44)

Schools Screenings 10:15 ARC (see p. 43)

First Take Industry Day 10:30 Triskel (see p. 52)

INTINN - Screening + Workshop 10.30 St. Peter's (see p. 43)

The Currents 13:00 ARC (see p. 29)

Mag Mag 15:00 ARC (see p. 39) The Voice of Hind Rajab 15:00 Everyman (see p. 28)

The Love that Remains 15:15 ARC (see p. 30)

Climate in Therapy + Short 15:30 Triskel (see p. 35)

Strange River 17:15 ARC (see p. 19)

How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World 17:30 Triskel (see p. 34)

Peak Everything 15:15 ARC (see p. 35)

Better Go Mad in the Wild 15:30 ARC (see p. 29)

We Believe You 15:30 ARC (see p. 19)

Schools Screenings 10:15 ARC (see p. 43)

INTINN - Screening + Workshop 10.30 St. Peter's (see p. 43)

Doc Day Live Industry Day 11:00 Triskel (see p. 53)

Parallax Emerging Film Artist: Exhibition Reception 13:00 Lord Mayor's Pavilion

Ari 14:00 ARC (see p. 34)

Junior Filmmaking Workshop 10:00 UCC (see p. 43)

Menopause and the Screen Sector 10:00 Nano Nagle Place (see p.54)

Look@Me with Cork Migrant Centre 11:00 ARC (see p. 43)

Tales from the Magic Garden 11:30 Everyman (see p. 42)

Super Cine Saturday: Cork on Camera 12:o0 (Briery Gap, Macroom) (see p. 45)

aemi @CIFF: Experimental Shorts: Landscapes Expanding 13:00 ARC (see p. 41)

Army of Shadows 14:00 Everyman (see p. 36) Romeria 13:15 ARC (see p. 31)

Senior Filmmaking Workshop 11:00 UCC (see p. 43)

Excalibur 12:00 Everyman (see p. 38)

Farming is Medicine 12:30 Triskel (see p. 33)

Little Amelie 13:30 ARC (see p. 42)

Breathless 15:30 ARC (see p. 25) Songs of Forgotten Trees 13:30 ARC (see p. 31) IFI Cork on Camera 14:00 Triskel (see p. 46)

The Girl in the Snow 15:30 ARC (see p. 18)

Puttnam Scholars + CIFF Short Awards 17:00 Triskel (see p. 44) Paul 16:00 ARC (see p. 34)

The Moelln Letters 17:30 ARC (see p. 30) Flophouse America 17:15 ARC (see p. 30)

A Private Life 17:30 Everyman (see p. 26)

Bearcave 17:30 ARC (see p. 18) Do the Right Thing 17:45 ARC (see p. 36)

Where is the Friend's House? 17:30 Everyman (see p. 37)

The Ice Tower 17:45 ARC (see p. 24)

The Dinner 18:00 ARC (see p. 33)

Cork Film Trail: Film Quiz 19:30 The Pav (see p. 47)

The Emporer's Naked Army Marches On 20:00 ARC (see p. 36)

If I had Legs I'd Kick You 20:15 ARC (see p. 39)

David Puttnam Talk: Festivals Matter 18:30 Triskel (see p. 16)

Cine Concert: Stupid August 19:45 Curtis Auditorium (see p. 17)

From Ground Zero + 20:00 ARC (see p. 51)

Pillion + Post-Film Show 20:00 Everyman (see p. 26)

Fantastique 18:00 ARC (see p. 42)

A Useful Ghost 18:00 ARC (see p. 32)

Documentary Gala: Shoot the People 20:15 Everyman (see p. 11)

God Will Not Help 20:15 ARC (see p. 30)

Coexistance, My Ass! 20:30 Triskel (see p. 24) This is a Prison 20:15 ARC (see p. 23) Sirât 20:30 ARC (see p. 27)

A Year of School 20:30 ARC (see p. 19)

Portrait of a Confused Father 20:30 Triskel (see p. 31)

What Does That Nature Say to You 20:30 ARC (see p. 32)

Once Upon a Time in the West 14:00 Everyman (see p. 37)

John Boorman Shorts 14:15 Triskel (see p. 15)

Reedland 14:30 ARC (see p. 18)

Stupid August 15:00 ARC (see p. 17)

Super Cine Saturday: It Was Just an Accident 14:o0 (Briery Gap, Macroom) (see p. 45) The History of Sound 15:30 Everyman (see p. 25)

Super Cine Saturday: Cork on Camera 14:30 (Cinemax Bantry, Regal Cinema Youghal) (see p. 45)

It Was Just an Accident 15:15 ARC (see p. 24)

aemi @CIFF: Experimental Shorts: A Tribute to Gunvor Nelson 15:30 ARC (see p. 41)

Solomamma 15:30 ARC (see p. 19)

A Quiet Love 17:00 Triskel (see p. 22)

Super Cine Saturday:

It Was Just an Accident 17:00 (Cinemax Bantry, Regal Cinema Youghal) (see p. 45)

Rental Family 17:30 ARC (see p. 26)

Bearcave 18:00 ARC (see p. 18)

DJ Ahmet 18:15 ARC (see p. 24)

Awards Gala: Song Sung Blue 19:30 Everyman (see p. 12)

The Secret Agent 15:30 ARC (see p. 27)

Daniel O'Connell: The Emancipator 16:30 Triskel (see p. 22)

Linda Linda Linda 17:15 ARC (see p. 39)

A Year of School 17:30 ARC (see p. 19)

Closing Gala: Is This Thing On? 19:30 Everyman (see p. 13)

Nouvelle Vague 19:45 ARC (see p. 25)

Phantasm 20:00 Triskel (see p. 39)

Answering the Call 20:00 Triskel (see p. 22) Paul 20:00 ARC (see p. 34)

The World of Love 20:30 ARC (see p. 32)

What Marielle Knows 20:45 Triskel (see p. 28) Mag Mag 20:45 ARC (see p. 39)

Mismantler 21:00 ARC (see p. 40)

Free Radicals 21:00 ARC (see p. 40)

The Little Sister 20:15 ARC (see p. 25)

OPENING GALA SAIPAN

2002, shortly before the FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea. The Irish national football team arrives on the Pacific island of Saipan where they are to bond and train before moving to Japan. But the management’s relaxed approach does not match team captain Roy Keane’s expectations. The Man United star player is here to win it.

Filmmakers Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn handle the story with all the respect due to one of the most seismic events in Irish sporting history. A respect for facts, for the protagonists, for all the people of Ireland, really, who found themselves having to take sides. Indeed, the public quarrel between Keane and manager Mick McCarthy rocked the THU 6 | 19:00

nation and sparked debates on notions that went far beyond sport: loyalty, ethics, identity. Saipan was, and is, a big deal.

Join us for a spectacular 70th Opening Gala celebration which will include special awards presentations and a surprise short film (with an interval for a complimentary celebratory refreshment).

There will be a second screening of Saipan (with Closed Captions) on Friday, 7th November at the Arc Cinema at 16:00. See p.21 for details.

Courtesy of Wildcard Distribution and Vertigo Releasing.

DOCUMENTARY GALA

FAMILY GALA

SHOOT THE PEOPLE

Andy Mundy-Castle | United States | 2025 | 93 mins | Documentary

FRI 14 | EVERYMAN | 20:15 | WITH Q&A

BAFTA-winning filmmaker Andy Mundy-Castle follows Oscar®-nominated and hugely popular British-Nigerian photographer and activist Misan Harriman, as he documents contemporary protest movements around the world.

The first Black man to shoot a cover of British Vogue, Harriman examines how protest and organised movements can lead to social change, all while capturing the resilience of activism through his lens.

An inspiring, gripping film that delves into the intersectionality of movements for equality, civil rights, and social justice, and the power of collective action.

Followed by a conversation with Misan Harriman and director Andy Mundy-Castle.

LADY AND THE TRAMP

Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske | United States | 1955 | 76 mins | Fiction

SUN 9 | EVERYMAN | 11:00

DOG-FRIENDLY SCREENING!

In 1909, in a small town, Jim Dear gives his wife Darling a cocker spaniel puppy as a Christmas present. The puppy, named Lady, grows up pampered by her doting owners and befriends her neighbours' dogs, Jock (a Scottie) and Trusty (an elderly Bloodhound). Meanwhile, across town, a stray terrier-mix named Tramp spends his days wandering the streets, feeding on scraps and handouts, and causing trouble for the local dogcatcher.

Like Cork International Film Festival, the tender and thrilling adventures of Lady and the Tramp are celebrating their 70th anniversary! Join us for this rare opportunity to rediscover and introduce your children (and your dog!) to the beloved Disney classic in the beautiful Everyman Theatre, where its great songs and superb, richly coloured animation will shine brighter than ever.

See corkfilmfest.org for dog-friendly details.

AWARDS GALA

SONG SUNG BLUE

Craig Brewer | United States | 2025 | 133 mins | Fiction

SAT 15 | EVERYMAN | 19:30

Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it's never too late to find love and follow your dreams.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures | This Gala screening will include the presentation of the CIFF Features Awards (see p. 58-59).

CLOSING GALA

IS THIS THING ON?

Bradley Cooper | United States | 2025 | 120 mins | Fiction

SUN 16 | EVERYMAN | 19:30

The Closing Gala on Sunday 16th November will be the Irish Premiere of Searchlight Pictures’ Is This Thing On?, the third feature directed by Bradley Cooper, following A Star is Born and Maestro.

As their marriage quietly unravels, Alex (Will Arnett) faces middle age and an impending divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene while Tess (Laura Dern) confronts the sacrifices she made

Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

for their family — forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether love can take a new form.

Loosely inspired by the true story of comedian John Bishop’s personal journey into comedy, Bradley Cooper’s beautiful film is an incisive study of midlife discontent and a modernday comedy of remarriage. Humour and feeling blend in a harmonious, powerful balance with an exceptional supporting cast including Andra Day, Cooper, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, and Scott Icenogle.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & GUESTS

Cork International Film Festival is proud to welcome a host of distinguished guests from across the film world - talented filmmakers, industry leaders, and artists who will present their work, discuss their careers, share their ideas, and engage with you, our audience. Stay tuned to corkfilmfest. org and follow us on social media for more exciting announcements in the weeks ahead.

DEFENCE OF THE REALM + IN CONVERSATION

David Drury | United Kingdom | 1974 | 96 mins | Ficton

FRI 7 | TRISKEL | 17:00

Dennis Markahm (Ian Bannen) is forced to resign from the British Parliament after he is linked to a woman serving as an East German dignitary. As reporters Nick Mullen (Gabriel Byrne) and Vernon Bayliss (Denholm Elliott) investigate the case, they discover that there may be more to the incident than meets the eye.

Stay after the screening for an unmissable conversation with two icons of Irish and international cinema.

Academy Award®-winning film producer and educator, David Puttnam, and multi-award-winning actor Gabriel Byrne will share stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from Defence of the Realm and beyond - an extraordinary opportunity to experience film history brought to life.

Tickets €15/€13

David Puttnam

Gabriel Byrne

CIFF HONORARY DISRUPTOR AWARD: JOHN BOORMAN

CIFF's Honorary Disruptor Award, dedicated to the free spirits of the film world, will be awarded this year to filmmaker John Boorman.

The ceremony will precede the screening of Zardoz (see below).

Cherie Lunghi, star of Excalibur (see p. 38), will present the award. The ceremony will also include video messages from Callum Turner, Jamie Lee Curtis, Liam Neeson, Juliette Binoche , Seamus Deasy and other major artists who have worked with John Boorman.

ZARDOZ

John Boorman | Ireland, United States | 1974 | 105 mins | Fiction

TUE 11 | TRISKEL | 20:00 | WITH Q&A

It is the year 2293. A race of humans known as the Brutals worship a flying stone head called Zardoz, who provides them with weapons in exchange for food. But a Brutal Exterminator named Zed (Sean Connery) grows curious, uncovering the mysteries surrounding their society. A visionary sci-fi like no other from John Boorman.

This screening will be followed by a discussion with Cherie Lunghi, Paul Duane and Yal Sadat (Cahiers du Cinéma).

JOHN BOORMAN SHORTS

John Boorman | United Kingdom & Ireland | 2001 & 1991 | 83 mins | Fiction

SAT 15 | TRISKEL | 14:15

We are thrilled to welcome John Boorman's longtime cinematographer Seamus Deasy, who will present the rare screening of two short films: the delightful and witty Two Nudes Bathing (2001) and I Dreamt I Woke Up (1991). The former, starring a very funny John Hurt, explores the origins of the anonymous Louvre painting "Two Nudes Bathing", in which two young women sit in a bath, one holding the nipple of the other between forefinger and thumb. The latter explores the home and neighbours of Boorman, and the mystical qualities of the Wicklow Mountains and their influence on Excalibur, Deliverance and Hope And Glory.

See p. 38 for more John Boorman filmsExcalibur and Boorman and the Devilas part of our Disruptors strand.

John Boorman

Cherie Lunghi

Two Nudes Bathing

DAVID PUTTNAM TALK: FESTIVALS MATTER

THU 13 | TRISKEL | 18:30

"If we get our stories right, if we continue to get our values right, that drip, drip, drip of good movies offers the opportunity to make people feel stronger, more connected, more relevant to the generation that they are part of… Festivals offer a place for us to come together - a chance to reflect upon ourselves in a truly authentic way. They are a vital launch pad for films that support them on their onward journey to reach their audiences.”

A unique opportunity to hear from Oscar®-winning film producer, educator, and CIFF Patron David Puttnam as he delivers an illustrated talk and Q&A with his characteristic mix of energy, anecdote, seriousness of purpose, and infectious humour.

Whether they are filmmakers, critics, academics, or industry professionals, our Festival panellists and participants transform screenings into conversations, enriching the Festival experience. See corkfilmfest.org for details of all panellists at this year's Festival.

JOAN BERGIN IN CONVERSATION

FRI 7 | ARC CINEMA | 12:30

Join Women in Film & Television Ireland (WFT) in conversation with legendary costume designer Joan Bergin (My Left Foot, The Tudors, Disenchanted) and award-winning director Hannah Quinn (Vikings: Valhalla, The Boy That Never Was, The Stranger).

Part of WFT’s Greater Later Series, supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán, with networking beforehand.

Check out our Industry Events pages (52-54) for details of filmmakers and film professionals who will be taking part in the 70th CIFF.

BLAME

TALES FROM THE MAGIC GARDEN (POHÁDKY PO BABIČCE) WITH HILARY ROSE

Cork actor and podcaster Hilary Rose to provide live narration in English for this uplifting stop-motion family film. (see p.42)

With guests including Dr. Kellie Dean, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at University College Cork (UCC) (see p. 35).

CLIMATE IN THERAPY

With Hannah Daly, Professor in Sustainable Energy at UCC and Dr. Rosemary Keane, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Director at Actualise (see p. 35).

HOW TO BE NORMAL AND THE ODDNESS OF THE OTHER WORLD

With Dr. John Goodwin, School of Nursery & Midwifery, UCC (see p. 34).

CIFF LEGACY DAY

Hosted by Dr. Ciara Chambers, Sch of Film & Screen Media, UCC. (see p. 46)

FARMING IS MEDICINE

With physician, activist and writer Professor Rupa Marya and agrifood researcher Dr. Ollie Moore (see p. 33).

ED GUINEY IN CONVERSATION

SUN 9 | TRISKEL | 11:45

Join us in conversation with Ed Guiney (co-CEO of Element Pictures) for a public talk, an opportunity to hear from one of Ireland’s most influential TV and film producers. With credits ranging from Room to The Favourite and Poor Things (which opened our Festival in 2023), Guiney will share his insights into storytelling, production strategies, and the evolving role of Irish cinema on the global stage. This year he joins us with two debut features: Akinola Davies Junior’s My Father’s Shadow (see p. 21, and Harry Lighton’s Pillion (see p. 26).

FILMMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE

We are delighted to welcome the following film artists to our 70th edition:

Janicke Askevold (Solomamma, see p.19)

Lisa Barros D’Sa (Saipan, p.10)

Brendan Canty (Gealtra, p.21)

Martin Danneels (Answering the Call, p.22)

Sé Merry Doyle (Theocracy, the Emigrants Artist, p.23)

Paul Duane (Zardoz - panelist, p.15)

Anne Émond (Peak Everything, p.35)

Nan Feix (Mam, see p.33)

Dennis Harvey (Celtic Utopia, p.20)

Jacqueline Jansen (Six Weeks On, p.18)

Gary Keane (A Quiet Love, p.22)

Andrew Keogh (This is a Prison, p.33 / Mismantler, p.40)

Andrew Kötting (The Memory Blocks, p.40)

Glenn Leyburn (Saipan, p.10)

Lars Loven (Celtic Utopia, p.20)

Ruán Magan (Daniel O'Connell: The Emancipator, p.22)

Alison Millar (The Disappearance of Captain Nairac, p.23)

Andy Mundy-Castle (Shoot the People, p.11)

Florian Pochlatko (How to be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World, p.34)

Marjolijn Prins (Fantastique, p.42)

Léonor Serraille (Ari, p.34)

Padraig Trehy (Stupid August, p.17)

Namik Arslan (protagonist of The Moelln Letters, see p.30)

Misan Harriman (Shoot the People, p.11)

Hilary Rose

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & GUESTS

CINE CONCERT: STUPID AUGUST

Padraig Trehy | Ireland | 2025 | 89 mins | World Premiere

THU 13 | MTU - CURTIS AUDITORIUM | 19:45

SUN 16 | ARC CINEMA | 15:00 | (FILM ONLY)

A cine-concert is often the highlight of any film festival - a spectacular fusion of the breathtaking visuals of a classic film with the immersive energy of live music.

Cork International Film Festival has a proud history of presenting unforgettable cine-concert experiences, Nosferatu (2018), Metropolis (2021), A Trip to the Moon (2022).

This year, we are thrilled to present the world premiere of Padraig Trehy's new film, Stupid August, a historical fantasy that delves into the depths of our humanity, brought to life with a live musical performance of an original score by Cork composer John O’Brien. An amnesiac clown finds himself exiled to the Ireland of the early 1960s. As the shadows of his past re-emerge, Gus must navigate the present dangers to find himself again and be finally free. Stupid August is a historical fantasy which explores the dangers of burying our collective histories and the lasting traumas of our inhumanity.

Presented in association with the Irish Film Institute, Stupid August was produced under the Arts Council’s Authored Works scheme.

Tickets €15/€13

MUSIC FOR DOMES

Róis, Hosta Projects | Ireland, Northern Ireland | 2025 | 60 mins

MON 10 | ST. PETER’S | 18:30

TUE 11 | ST. PETER’S | 13:30, 16:00, 18:30

In this immersive documentary experience, screened in a 360° dome, award-winning Irish artist Róis joins forces with the visionary Hosta Projects for a journey unlike any other. Combining archival footage, sonic folklore and celestial cartography, the film draws uncanny parallels between two ancient cultures –Ireland and Cambodia – and how both map memory, myth and survival across the stars.

RTÉ LYRIC FM - MOVIES & MUSICALS WITH AEDÍN GORMLEY

SAT 8 | MTU SCHOOL OF MUSICCURTIS AUDITORIUM | 13:00 - 15:00

Join Aedín Gormley for a very special broadcast of her Saturday afternoon radio programme, featuring the very best music from the world of movies and musicals. Aedín will chat with a great selection of the filmmakers taking part in this year's Festival and will have fantastic live music performances throughout the show from the students of MTU's Musical Theatre degree.

Free but ticketed. All are welcome to drop in to the broadcast from 13:00 to 15:00.

Book via corkfilmfest.org or the myCIFF app.

SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL COMPETITION

Bringing to you the best of new European cinema. These filmmakers wowed us with their first or second feature film and will compete for the Spiorad na Féile (Spirit of the Festival) Best Film and Best Screenplay awards.

BEARCAVE

Argyro and Anneta live in a Greek mountain village. They are best friends. When Anneta admits that she’s pregnant from her lame cop boyfriend, Argyro challenges her to embark on an adventure to find a mystical bear cave. Before Argyro has a chance to confess her love, Anneta leaves for the big city.

THU 13 | ARC CINEMA | 17:30

SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 18:00

REEDLAND (RIETLAND)

When Johan, a reclusive reed-cutter, discovers the lifeless body of a young girl on his land, he becomes determined to uncover the truth behind this local rural tragedy, all the while being overcome by an ambiguous sense of guilt. A smoldering, thought-provoking drama which is equal parts character study and thriller.

MON 10 | ARC CINEMA | 18:00

SUN 16 | ARC CINEMA | 14:30

THE GIRL IN THE SNOW (L'ENGLOUTIE)

On the cusp of the 20th century, schoolteacher Aimée arrives at a remote hamlet located on the edge of the Alps. Her goal is to educate the young children of the isolated community, one which is steeped in ancient folklore and tradition. Soon, the winter grows harsher, and the locals grow suspicious of the young teacher.

TUE 11 | ARC CINEMA | 17:30 FRI 14 | ARC CINEMA | 15:30

SIX WEEKS ON (SECHSWOCHENAMT)

After the death of her mother, Lore must deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in her small former home town in Western Germany, whilst navigating bureaucracy, red tape and traditional family beliefs, all the while finding a path to her own grief and paying her final respects.

SUN 9 | ARC CINEMA | 14:30 | WITH Q&A

TUE 11 | ARC CINEMA | 20:45 ALSO ONLINE (see p. 56)

SOLOMAMMA

Edith, a journalist in her 40s, chose to become a single mother through an anonymous sperm donor. But the emotional weight of single parenting begins to wear on her, and when she unexpectedly discovers the donor’s identity, curiosity leads her to meet him on the pretext of an interview.

TUE 11 | ARC CINEMA | 15:30 SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 15:30 | WITH Q&A

WE BELIEVE YOU (ON VOUS CROIT)

Today, Alice stands before a judge, knowing there's no room for error. She must speak up for her children and confront their father, as custody is being called into question. A powerful drama, so tense we find ourselves glued to the screen from start to finish.

SUN 9 | ARC CINEMA | 20:15 THU 13 | ARC CINEMA | 15:30

STRANGE RIVER

Sixteen-year-old Dídac and his family are spending the summer holidays on a cycling trip along the Danube. An unexpected encounter with another boy changes the course of the journey. His enigmatic presence awakens new feelings in Dídac and disrupts his relationship with his family.

FRI 7 | ARC CINEMA | 18:00 WED 12 | ARC CINEMA | 17:15

A YEAR OF SCHOOL (UN ANNO DI SCUOLA)

2007. Fred relocates from Sweden to Northeast Italy with her father, who has taken a new management job. Feisty and curious, she enrolls in the local high school for her senior year. She quickly becomes the centre of attention, especially for three boys who have been friends for years.

WED 12 | ARC CINEMA | 20:30 SUN 16 | ARC CINEMA | 17:30

BEST NEW IRISH FEATURE

Profiling fiction and documentary features either fully Irish in story and production or in collaboration with filmmaking talent from across the world. Best New Irish Feature Award is proudly sponsored by the Irish Examiner.

CELTIC UTOPIA (ÚTÓIPE CHEILTEACH)

Útóipe Cheilteach tells the story of a new Ireland and its vibrant music scene, but also that of a postcolonial society wrestling with its heritage. A society where folk music carries both the oppression of the past and the dream of a bright future. Musicians in attendance.

POST-SCREENING GIG: DOSE x Útóipe Cheilteach at The Kino, Washington St., 20:00.

Don premiere Éireannach de Útóipe Cheilteach, tar le DOSE ar aistear gleomhar ón scannáin go dtín stáitse trín ríocht nua cheilteach.

To celebrate the Irish premiere of Celtic Utopia, join DOSE as they bring the film to the stage and explore the sounds of the new celtic realm.

SAT 8 | EVERYMAN | 17:00 | WITH Q&A

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR TICKETS

BLUE MOON

Richard Linklater | United States, Ireland | 2025 | 100 mins | Fiction

March 31, 1943. It is the opening night of Oklahoma!, a ground-breaking musical play that promises to be a raging success. Legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) is already at the bar that will host the afterparty, reflecting on himself and bitching about his former creative partner and creator of Oklahoma!, Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott).

Introduced by the Irish producer (Wild Atlantic Pictures)

SAT 8 | EVERYMAN | 20:00

GEALTRA

Set in the vibrant heart of Knocknaheeny on the Northside of Cork City, this exhilarating documentary captures the

MY FATHER’S SHADOW

Akinola Davies Jr | United Kingdom, Nigeria | 2025 | 94 mins | Fiction

In this semi-autobiographical tale set over the course of a single day during the 1993 Nigerian election crisis, two young brothers follow their estranged father through the massive city of Lagos while political unrest threatens their journey home. A beguiling, superbly shot coming-of-age tale centred on father-son bond, both subtle and emotionally powerful.

Introduced by producer Ed Guiney (Element Pictures)

SUN 9 | ARC CINEMA | 14:30

creative spark inside The Kabin Studio as a group of teenagers embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and creative expression through the Irish language, guided by rapper and spoken-word artist Séamus Barra Ó Súilleabháin.

FRI 7 | EVERYMAN | 20:15 | WITH Q&A

SAIPAN

Lisa Barros D’Sa, Glenn Leyburn | Ireland | 2025 | 90 mins | Fiction

In 2002, ahead of the FIFA World Cup, Ireland’s training camp in Saipan erupted into a clash between captain Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy. Filmmakers Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn revisit this seismic sporting moment, exploring its impact on loyalty, identity, and national debate far beyond football. Saipan was, and is, a big deal.

THU 6 | EVERYMAN | 19:00 (Opening Gala, see p.10) FRI 7 | ARC CINEMA | 16:00

IRISH VOICES

Celebrating Ireland's broad creative diversity.

A QUIET LOVE

Garry Keane | Ireland | 2025 | 91 mins | Documentary

ANSWERING THE CALL

Martin Danneels | Ireland | 2025 | 85 mins | Documentary

Set against the rugged beauty of Ireland’s west coast, Answering the Call follows the struggle to save the elusive corncrake – a journey spanning from windswept Atlantic islands to the heart of the Congo. Along the way, it uncovers the intricate ties between farmland, folklore, and a fragile migratory path. Beautiful and precious.

Followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker

Three Deaf couples share their remarkable love stories, in Irish Sign Language: a decades-long forbidden romance across the Northern Irish divide, a lesbian couple navigating parenthood with Deaf and hearing children, and a Deaf boxer and his hearing partner facing a life-altering choice. A cinematic celebration of resilience, connection, and enduring love.

SAT 15 | TRISKEL | 17:00 | WITH Q&A

DANIEL O’CONNELL: THE EMANCIPATOR

Ruán Magan | Ireland | 2025 | 60 mins | Documentary

To mark the 250th anniversary of Daniel O’Connell’s birth in 1775, this documentary, produced in association with University College Cork and Notre Dame University, explores his life and legacy, and examines how O’Connell’s achievements continue to shape and impact our world today.

PANEL DISCUSSION

This screening will be followed by a panel discussion. Commissioned by and presented in partnership with UCC and RTÉ.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF CAPTAIN NAIRAC

Alison Millar | Ireland, United Kingdom | 2025 | 90 mins | Documentary

On the evening of 14 May 1977, in a crowded bar near the Irish border, undercover British soldier Captain Robert Nairac sang a rebel song. He was soon to become known as one of the Disappeared. The Disappearance of Captain Nairac follows the search for his remains by an ex-republican prisoner.

Followed by a Q&A with director Alison Millar

SUN 9 | TRISKEL | 20:00 | WITH Q&A

THEOCRACY - THE EMIGRANTS ARTIST

Sé Merry Doyle | Ireland | 2025 | 97 mins | Documentary

An exploration of London-based artist Bernard Canavan, who was given up by his unmarried parents to an orphanage in Dublin, Theocracy - The Emigrants Artist charts Bernard's extraordinary journey in trying to find out who he really is.

Preceded by A PLACE AWAY (Ellie O’Sullivan | United Kingdom | 1989 | 10 mins), introduced by Best New Irish Feature Award juror Charlotte O'Sullivan, daughter of the filmmaker.

MON 10 | TRISKEL | 17:00 | WITH Q&A See corkfilmfest.org

THIS IS A PRISON

The New Women’s Prison in Limerick is regarded, with an innovative ‘trauma-informed’ design, as the most state-of-the-art prison in Europe. But what does success look like in a facility like this and how does it reflect upon a modern Ireland? What is rehabilitation? Next to what social norms?

Followed by a panel discussion.

THU 13 | ARC CINEMA | 20:15

WORLD TOUR

International must-sees directed by filmmakers in full control of their artform's powers.

COEXISTENCE, MY ASS!

Noam Shuster Eliassi grew up the literal poster child for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process before making a hard pivot to stand-up comedy and political satire. But as the region sinks deeper into devastating violence, she must meet the moment by challenging her audiences with hard truths that are no laughing matter.

WED 12 | TRISKEL | 20:30

THE ICE TOWER (LA TOUR DE GLACE)

Jeanne, a 15-year-old orphan, witnesses the shoot for a film adaptation of the fairy tale The Snow Queen and she becomes fascinated by its star, Cristina (Marion Cotillard), an actress who is just as mysterious and alluring as the Queen she is playing. A spellbinding fable of obsession and enchantment.

FRI 7 | ARC CINEMA | 20:15

THU 13 | ARC CINEMA | 17:45

DJ AHMET

Ahmet, a 15-year-old boy from a remote Yuruk village in North Macedonia, finds refuge in music while navigating his father’s expectations, a conservative community, and his first experience with love — a girl already promised to someone else. An audience favourite at festivals all year!

SAT 8 | ARC CINEMA | 15:00 SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 18:15

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (YEK TASADOF-E SADEH)

Eghbal hits and kills a dog by accident at night, damaging his car. At the nearby garage, former political prisoner Vahid recognises the sound of Eghbal's prosthetic leg as that of the man who tortured him in prison. Vahid kidnaps Eghbal and prepares to kill him. But doubt creeps in.

Winner of the 2025 Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. This film will also screen as part of Super CIne Saturday at Cork County venues - see p. 45 for details.

SAT 8 | ARC CINEMA | 17:45 SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 15:15

THE HISTORY OF SOUND

Oliver Hermanus | United Kingdom, United States | 2024 | 127 mins | Fiction

In 1917, Lionel (Paul Mescal) meets David (Josh O’Connor) at the Boston Conservatory, where they bond over a deep love of folk music. Years later, they embark on an impromptu journey through rural Maine to collect traditional songs. Their ensuing love affair and the music they preserve will shape the course of Lionel’s life beyond his own awareness.

SUN 16 | EVERYMAN | 15:30

NOUVELLE VAGUE

Paris, 1960. Jean-Luc Godard has built a reputation as a film critic and cannot resist any longer the itch to make his own film. It will be called Breathless. Richard Linklater’s love letter to the French New Wave is both acknowledged as a success by cinephiles and enjoyable by all!

Introduced by Yal Sadat (Cahiers du Cinéma). This film will also screen at Cinemax Bantry - see p. 45 for details.

COMPANION SCREENING

We are pleased to offer two screenings of JeanLuc Godard’s 1960 seminal film and Linklater’s inspiration - Breathless (A Bout de souffle)

SAT 8 | ARC CINEMA | 13:00

SUN 16 | ARC CINEMA | 19:45

THE LITTLE SISTER (LA PETITE DERNIÈRE)

Fatima, 17, the youngest of three daughters, lives in the suburbs in a loving family. As she searches for her own path as a philosophy student, grappling with emerging desires, her attraction to women, and her loyalty to her French-Algerian family. Winner of the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival.

WED 12 | ARC CINEMA | 15:00

SUN 16 | ARC CINEMA | 20:15

BREATHLESS (A BOUT DE SOUFFLE)

In Jean-Luc Godard’s seminal debut film, Jean-Paul Belmondo is Michel, a small-time crook who is hunted by the authorities for a car theft and the murder of a police officer. He attempts to persuade a hip American journalism student (the unforgettable Jean Seberg) to run away with him to Italy.

SAT 8 | ARC CINEMA | 15:15

FRI 14 | ARC CINEMA | 15:30

PILLION

Harry Lighton | United Kingdom | 2024 | 103 mins | Fiction

A directionless man (Harry Melling) is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker (Alexander Skarsgård) takes him on as his submissive. Harry Lighton’s debut feature is a staggering achievement that is in turn funny, moving, outrageous and of course… wildly erotic.

Introduced by Clare Binns (Picturehouse Entertainment)

THU 13 | EVERYMAN | 20:00

A PRIVATE LIFE (VIE PRIVÉE)

Lilian Steiner, an American psychoanalyst living in Paris, is devastated to learn that her client Paula has taken her own life. Or has she? Lilian decides to investigate. Psychological thriller, comedy, A Private Life is a refreshing mix of genres and is led by a wildly entertaining Jodie Foster in her first French-speaking lead role.

Post-Film Show: Krystal & The Queers: The One Night Stand

Inspired by the film, The One Night Stand is a drag performance by Cork’s very own drag collective led by Krystal Queer.

RENTAL FAMILY

Hikari | United States | 2025 | 110 mins | Fiction

Philip (Brendan Fraser), a lonely American actor living in Tokyo, starts working for a Japanese rental family service to play stand-in roles in other people's lives. As he immerses himself in his clients' worlds, he finds surprising connections and unexpected joys within these new families.

FRI 14 | EVERYMAN | 17:30 SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 17:30

THE SECRET AGENT (O AGENTE SECRETO)

Brazil, 1977. The final years of the military dictatorship. Marcelo, a university professor in his 40s, is on the run from political persecution. He arrives in Recife during carnival week, hoping to reunite with his son. Little does he know that he is being tailed from São Paolo.

Winner of the Best Director and Best Actor awards at the Cannes Film Festival.

TUE 11 | ARC CINEMA | 20:00 SUN 16 | ARC CINEMA | 15:30

SIRÂT

The thundering bass of an illegal rave in the Moroccan desert. A father, with his son, searches among the gyrating dancers for his missing daughter. They follow a group of seasoned ravers across the barren wastes towards one more party, only to be confronted by their own existential limits. Experience the film that shook the Cannes Film Festival!

Introduced by Yal Sadat (Cahiers du Cinéma). This film will also screen at Cinemax Bantry - see p. 45 for details.

MON 10 | ARC CINEMA | 20:30 FRI 14 | ARC CINEMA | 20:30

SENTIMENTAL VALUE (AFFEKSJONSVERDI)

Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), a once-famous filmmaker, offers the lead role in his comeback film, the story of his own mother, to his actor daughter Nora (Renate Reinsve). They are not close though, as he had abandoned his family when Nora and her sister were still young, and she refuses. Hollywood actress Rachel (Elle Fanning), however, is interested.

Winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival

FRI 7 | ARC CINEMA | 20:00 TUE 11 | ARC CINEMA | 17:15

THE UGLY

Im Yeong-gyu is a visually impaired yet extraordinarily skilled seal engraving master known as a living miracle. When his wife’s skeletal remains, thought to have been missing for 40 years, are finally discovered, his son Im Dong-hwan is determined to uncover longburied truths surrounding her mysterious death.

SUN 9 | EVERYMAN | 20:15

THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB

trapped in a car under Israeli military fire, and the first responders who tried to save her. The longest ever standing ovation at a film festival and a testament to the crucial role cinema can play in amplifying silenced voices. In association with Amnesty International.

Oscar®-nominated director Kaouther Ben Hania blends actual recordings and scripted performances to tell the devastating true story of Hind Rajab, a seven-year-old Palestinian girl SUN 9 | EVERYMAN | 17:00 THU 13 | EVERYMAN | 15:00

THE WAVE (LA OLA)

Inspired by the Chilean ‘Me Too’ wave, which saw female students occupy their campus to denounce systemic harassment and abuse, this rousing musical follows Julia, a music student, as she gradually realises what happened to her on a certain night with her teacher assistant, and joins the wave of change.

7 |

| 17:00

WHAT MARIELLE KNOWS (WAS MARIELLE WEISS)

Julia and Tobias seem to be the perfect couple. Yet behind the facade and designer kitchen, trouble is brewing. Their fragile balance is shattered when their daughter Marielle suddenly develops telepathic abilities, giving her the power to see and hear everything her parents say or do, day and night.

| 20:45

MOMENTUM

Wide-ranging cinematic odysseys for curious-minded spectators.

THE CURRENTS (LAS CORRIENTES)

At the height of her career, Lina, a 34-year-old Argentine stylist, is driven by a sudden impulse after an award ceremony in Switzerland. Back in Buenos Aires, she says nothing, but something in her has shifted - quiet and invisible, it subtly unravels a past she thought she had left behind.

TUE 11 | ARC CINEMA | 20:30 THUR 13 | ARC CINEMA | 13:00

BETTER GO MAD IN THE WILD (RADĚJI ZEŠÍLET V DIVOČINĚ)

Is it possible to spend your whole life in a single place? Twin brothers František and Ondrej have made the stubborn decision to do just that. Are they crazy eccentrics or charismatic, possessed storytellers? What is sure is that everything in their ways challenges our learned adherence to society’s conformity.

SAT 8 | ARC CINEMA | 18:15 THU 13 | ARC CINEMA | 15:30 ALSO ONLINE (see p. 56)

DANDELION'S ODYSSEY (PLANÈTES)

Four dandelion seeds band together following a climactic event and travel across space to find a new home, braving the environment, flora and fauna on their quest. Beautifully animated with bright detail, this tale of four fluffy friends tackling the elements is a visually magical treat for all.

MON 10 | ARC CINEMA | 17:45

FLOPHOUSE AMERICA

Monica Strømdahl | Norway, Netherlands, United States | 2025 | 79 mins | Documentary

A film so astonishing that viewers may need to be told that it is indeed a documentary, Flophouse America tells the story of Mikal, 12, who is growing up in a home characterised by substance abuse, disorder and chaos - but also love and a dream of a better life.

SAT 8 | ARC CINEMA | 20:45

THU 13 | ARC CINEMA | 17:15

THE LOVE THAT REMAINS (ÁSTIN SEM EFTIR ER)

An Icelandic family navigates their complicated feelings and absurd impulses over the course of a year, following the parents’ separation. Funny, poignant and playfully unpredictable, Hlynur Pálmason’s gentle film is an inspired ode to family and to the natural world.

FRI 7 | ARC CINEMA | 20:20

WED 12 | ARC CINEMA | 15:15

GOD WILL NOT HELP (BOG NEĆE POMOĆI)

A traditional mountain community of Croatian shepherds goes into turmoil when a mysterious Chilean woman arrives, claiming to be the wife of a man who left them many years ago. No one understands her, and a secret language must be mastered in order to communicate.

MON 10 | ARC CINEMA | 15:00 FRI 14 | ARC CINEMA | 20:15

THE MOELLN LETTERS

Thirty years after a racist arson attack in Mölln, Germany, the surviving members of the affected families discover hundreds of forgotten letters of solidarity, sent from all parts of Germany, by people of all ages. This deeply moving film won an Audience Award upon its world premiere at Berlinale.

Followed by a Q&A with one of the film's protagonists, Namik Arslan on Sunday 9 Nov. In association with Amnesty International.

SUN 9 | ARC CINEMA | 14:15 | WITH Q&A

WED 12 | ARC CINEMA | 17:30

PORTRAIT OF A CONFUSED FATHER

For over two decades, Gunnar has filmed his son Jonathan’s journey from childhood to adulthood, capturing his drive to conquer the world. As Jonathan grows older, Gunnar does what he knows best to stay connected — he films, he talks, and he tries to understand… until things take an unexpected and tragic turn.

SAT 8 | TRISKEL | 17:30

THU 13 | TRISKEL | 20:30 ALSO ONLINE (see p. 56)

SILENT FRIEND

In this enchanting, wildly original ode to the science of plants, the majestic gingko tree of a German university’s garden binds the stories of three people from different eras: a 2020 groundbreaking neuroscientist from Hong Kong (Tony Leung), a 1972 student in love with his roommate, and the university’s first female student, in 1908.

SUN 9 | ARC CINEMA | 17:00

ROMERÍA

In order to obtain a civil status document for her higher education, Marina, who was adopted as a child, must reconnect with her biological father’s family. Her mother's diary, which she has always kept with her, appears to bring the past back to life.

SAT 8 | ARC CINEMA | 17:30 SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 13:15

SONGS OF FORGOTTEN TREES

Two women, Thooya and Swetha, are brought together when Thooya sublets her apartment. In small rooms, hidden away in chaotic Mumbai amongst so much urban loneliness, they seek connections where they rarely exist. A tender tale of fragile kinship from director Anuparna Roy, the first Indian filmmaker to win Best Director in Venice Film Festival’s Horizon competition.

SUN 9 | TRISKEL | 15:00 SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 13:30

THAT SUMMER IN PARIS (LE RENDEZ-VOUS DE L'ÉTÉ)

Paris, August 2024. The Olympic Games are in full swing. Blandine has just arrived from peaceful Normandy and isn’t used to the city's chaos. She came to attend the swimming competitions and reunite with a half-sister she hasn’t seen in years. But things don’t go according to plan.

Presented in association with the French Embassy in Ireland and Alliance Française de Cork.

FRI 7 | ARC CINEMA | 18:15 MON 10 | ARC CINEMA | 16:00 ALSO ONLINE (see p. 56)

WHAT DOES THAT NATURE SAY TO YOU (GEU JAYEONI NEGE MWORAGO HANI)

Thirty-something poet Donghwa drives his girlfriend of three years, Junhee, to visit her parents. Donghwa’s surprise at the size of the house is compounded by the unexpected appearance of Junhee’s father, who invites him to spend the day with the family. A subtly humorous insight into class and artistic pretensions in polite society.

A USEFUL GHOST (PEE CHAI DAI KA)

March is mourning his wife Nat, who succumbed to dust pollution. But when Nat’s spirit is reincarnated in a vacuum cleaner, their relationship resumes, as passionate as ever. To show to his disapproving family that she can be a useful ghost, Nat offers to rid them of useless ones.

SAT 8 | ARC CINEMA | 20:00 FRI 14 | ARC CINEMA | 18:00

THE WORLD OF LOVE

Enigmatic 17-year-old Jooin is a cheerful friend, a shameless daughter, a mischievous girlfriend… She is hard to predict. But more than anything, Jooin is curious about and baffled by love. One day, some words she speaks in a moment of anger unleash chaos. Her inner volcano has been begging to erupt.

THU 13 | ARC CINEMA | 20:30 FRI 7 | ARC CINEMA | 14:30 SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 20:30

CULINARY CINEMA

Supported by chef, writer and CIFF Culinary Ambassador Rachel Allen (right), this year’s Culinary Cinema strand journeys from Franco’s Spain to New York’s Vietnamese kitchens, Rioja’s storied vineyards to Californian rooftop farms. Discover immersive dining events and discussions that bring these cross-cultural stories to life. Visit corkfilmfest.org for details.

THE DINNER (LA CENA)

In this biting comedy set in the immediate aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, General Franco invites his top generals for a night of triumph. But in the hotel’s kitchen, a group of defeated Republican chefs are secretly preparing the mealwhile also cooking up their last chance to escape the country.

EVENT: Raise a glass to the Republic, at our rebel retreat hosted by Brian's Wines at Plugd.

WED 12 | ARC CINEMA | 18:00

MAM

Nan Feix | France | 2025 | 81 mins | Ficton

After falling in love with Vietnamese cuisine during a life-changing trip abroad, Jerald, a self-taught chef from small-town Texas, arrives in New York City with one goal: to open his own restaurant. One night, the young woman who runs a Chinatown food joint finds Jerald secretly practicing his recipe ideas in the basement kitchen.

EVENT: Tiger Balm Club x The Glass Curtain brings you All Killer, No Filler Vietnamese Snacks, Street Food & Drinks.

SUN 9 | ARC CINEMA | 17:30

FARMING IS MEDICINE

Masha Karpoukhina | USA | 2025 | 37 mins | Documentary

What do health and poverty, colonialism and climate change, farming and medicine have in common? This compelling documentary reveals how these seemingly separate issues are in fact deeply intertwined.

EVENT: Post-screening discussion with physician, activist and writer Professor Rupa Marya and agrifood researcher Dr. Ollie Moore, followed by a late lunch of traditional Palestinian food at Izz Café.

SUN 16 | TRISKEL | 12:30

RIOJA: THE LAST OF A THOUSAND WINES (RIOJA, LA TIERRA DE LOS MIL VINOS)

Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of the most wellknown of Spanish wines. This captivating documentary boasts the most complete and careful editing of interviews, gorgeous landscapes, immersive music, and never before seen access to the wine making process, highlighting the relationship between the tradition’s origins and its powerful global appeal.

EVENT: Rioja Wine Masterclass with delicious bites to match at L’Atitude 51.

SAT 8 | ARC CINEMA | 12:30

EVENT: Special Regional Screening + Rioja Wine-tasting with jamon and cheese at Ballymaloe Grainstore.

SAT 8 | BALLYMALOE GRAINSTORE | 18:30

WED 12 | ARC CINEMA | 18:15

ILLUMINATE

Cinema casts a light on a subject that matters: mental health. Illuminate presents films that explore mental health and wellbeing, and invites professionals, service users and filmmakers to respond, and engage in dialogue inspired by the films.

HOW TO BE NORMAL AND THE ODDNESS OF THE OTHER WORLD

Pia returns home to live with her parents after a stay in a psychiatric hospital. Coping with the effects of her medication, and juggling between a failed relationship, returning to work and the trials of family life, Pia desperately seeks her own form of normalcy whilst everything around her implodes.

PANEL DISCUSSION

A talk will follow the screening, hosted by Dr. John Goodwin, UCC School of Nursing & Midwifery.

WED 12 | TRISKEL | 17:30

ARI

Ari, a 27-year-old student teacher, collapses in the middle of a school inspector’s visit. As he reconnects with old friends in a quest for recovery from depression, he discovers that other people aren’t doing as well as he imagined. The Berlinale competition’s gem on Generation Z's search for meaning.

MON 10 | ARC CINEMA | 20:30 | WITH Q&A FRI 14 | ARC CINEMA | 14:00

PAUL

Denis Côté | Canada | 2025 | 87 mins | Documentary

Struggling with depression and social anxiety, Paul has found refuge in serving dominant women who invite him to clean their homes. By sharing his gently eccentric routines on social media under the name Cleaning Simp Paul, he combats loneliness and takes it one day at a time.

FRI 14 | ARC CINEMA | 16:00 SUN 16 | ARC CINEMA | 20:00

ALSO ONLINE (see p. 56)

SCREEN GREEN

Discover more about the particular relationship between humans and their living environment. How they affect it. What can be done.

CLIMATE IN THERAPY

Nathan Grossman, Olof Berglind, Malin Olofsson | Sweden, Norway | 2025 | 65 mins | Documentary

BLAME

Christian Fei | Switzerland | 2025 | 122 mins | Documentary

When the world is engulfed by the COVID-19 pandemic, three scientists who long-predicted its arrival must battle not only the virus but also a wave of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and political blame that threatens to eclipse the truth. This is their story. Part investigation, part thriller, Blame investigates the relationship between science, politics and the media.

PANEL DISCUSSION

A panel discussion will take place following the screening. See corkfilmfest.org for details.

MON 10 | TRISKEL | 20:15

Climate in Therapy is a humorous, inventive and serious experiment in which seven climate scientists meet in a godforsaken meeting room to engage in circle therapy about their shared climate anxiety. Can emotional honesty be part of the solution?

Screened with the short film Black Tide (Kim Yip Tong | France | 2025).

Followed by a discussion with UCC Prof Hannah Daly (renewable energy) and Dr Rosemary Keane (clinical psychologist) on Saturday 8 Nov. An activity organised by the filmmakers will follow both screenings. In partnership with UCC.

SAT 8 | TRISKEL | 14:30

WED 12 | TRISKEL | 15:30 ALSO ONLINE (see p. 56)

PEAK EVERYTHING (AMOUR APOCALYPSE)

Anne Émond | Canada | 2025 | 65 mins | Ficton

Adam (45) is a kind-hearted kennel-owner. Hypersensitive and borderline depressed, he struggles to hide his existential fears. To help combat his climate anxiety, Adam orders a therapeutic solar lamp. Through the lamp’s supplier's technical support line, he meets Tina, a radiant woman with a voice that soothes all of his worries.

Filmmaker in attendance.

SUN 9 | ARC CINEMA | 20:00 | WITH Q&A THU 13 | ARC CINEMA | 15:15

RETROSPECTIVE: THE RIGHT THING

These Retrospective films explore the sense of what's right with acts of moral strength great or small.

ARMY OF SHADOWS

Gerbier, a civil engineer, gets trapped and tortured in a Nazi camp but manages to escape with the help of a friend. Back in Marseille, he looks for the traitor who reported him. This masterful suspense drama examines the inner workings of World War II resistance efforts.

MON 10 | ARC CINEMA | 20:00 FRI 14 | EVERYMAN | 14:00

DOGFIGHT

Nancy Savoca | United States | 1991 | 89 mins | Fiction

San Francisco, 1963. On his last night before being shipped to Vietnam, young marine Eddie (River Phoenix) invites waitress Rose (Lili Taylor) to be his date at a party with his friends, as part of a secret cruel game called a ‘Dogfight’. A bittersweet tale of forgiveness sparked from the chemistry between two souls.

SUN 9 | TRISKEL | 17:30

TUE 11 | TRISKEL | 15:00

DO THE RIGHT THING

Spike Lee | United States | 1989 | 120 mins | Fiction

Spike Lee’s masterpiece on the simmering racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighbourhood, primed to explode during the hottest day of the summer, is just as relevant today as it was on its 1989 release, and packs as much of a punch as the beats pumping out from Radio Raheem’s ghettoblaster.

FRI 14 | ARC CINEMA | 17:45

THE EMPEROR'S NAKED ARMY MARCHES ON

Kazuo Hara | Japan | 1987 | 122 mins | Subtitled | Documentary Kenzo Okuzaki made it his life’s mission to expose the crimes committed against his World War II military comrades by their own officers. No measures were too extreme for this furiously determined anti-establishment agitator. One of the most striking documentaries ever made.

SUN 9 | ARC CINEMA | 12:00 WED 12 | ARC CINEMA | 20:00

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST

Sergio Leone | Italy | 1968 | 175 mins | Fiction

A railroad tycoon hires a cruel mercenary (Peter Fonda) to kill a man who owns prime estate. But when the man's widow (Claudia Cardinale) inherits the land, only an outlaw and a mysterious gunslinger (Charles Bronson) can protect her from being killed. A timeless masterpiece, magnified by Ennio Morricone’s haunting, iconic music.

SAT 15 | EVERYMAN | 14:00

TONI ERDMANN

Maren Ade | Germany | 2016

| 162 mins | Subtitled | Fiction

Convinced that his daughter has forgotten how to laugh, practical joker Winfried shows up unannounced at her work place abroad, disguised as the flashy Toni Erdmann, a “life coach” with a particular taste for outrageous humour. Starring the great Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall).

SAT 8 | ARC CINEMA | 13:30

SAMBIZANGA

Sarah Maldoror | Angola, France | 1972 | 97 mins | Subtitled | Fiction Angola, 1961. The onset of the War of Independence. A woman searches for her husband, who was abruptly taken by the colonial authorities. The first ever feature film directed by a woman in Africa, Sambizanga is both gorgeous and a landmark work of political filmmaking through fiction.

FRI 7 | ARC CINEMA | 15:00

WHERE IS THE FRIEND’S HOUSE

Abbas Kiarostami | Iran | 1987

| 83 mins | Subtitled | Fiction

A schoolboy realises, as he is getting ready to do his homework, that he has mistakenly brought home a classmate's notebook. Knowing that his friend risks being expelled if he does not hand in his homework in his own notebook, he sets off to find him. An unforgettable work of beauty.

THU 13 | EVERYMAN | 17:30

DISRUPTORS

Cinema’s mavericks, past and present. Disruption comes in many forms, but one thing is sure: demands to conform are not welcome here.

BOORMAN AND THE DEVIL

David Kittredge | United States | 2025 | 112 mins | Documentary

After the success of Point Blank and Deliverance, Warner Brothers offered John Boorman the chance to direct a sequel to their smash hit, The Exorcist. The result was a critical and financial failure that nearly ended Boorman’s filmmaking career. But to be an artist is to be a risk-taker.

See p. 15 for details of the presentation of the CIFF Honorary Disruptor Award 2025 to filmmaker John Boorman followed by a screening of Zardoz.

TUE 11 | TRISKEL | 17:15

EXCALIBUR

John Boorman | United Kingdom, United States | 1981 | 141 mins | Fiction

Arthurian mythology was never better portrayed on the big screen than by John Boorman in his epic retelling of the legend of Arthur Pendragon, the wizard Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table. A visually breathtaking tale of swords and sorcery, to which a whole genre of cinema owes a great debt.

See p. 15 for details of the presentation of the CIFF Honorary Disruptor Award 2025 to filmmaker John Boorman followed by a screening of Zardoz.

DEAD LOVER

Grace Glowicki | Canada | 2025 | 82 mins | Fiction

A lonely gravedigger, reeking of the corpses she buries, finally meets the man of her dreams in a dandy who is excited by her odour. But when their romance is cut short by a tragic accident, the gravedigger will stop at nothing to bring her lover back. Reanimation has never been so hilariously inventive.

FRI 7 | TRISKEL | 20:30 MON 10 | TRISKEL | 14:45

HONEY BUNCH

Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Dusty Mancinelli | Canada | 2025 | 113 mins | Fiction

Following a traumatic incident, Diana and Homer arrive at a remote clinic deep in the woods, hoping the radical therapy will cure Diana’s memory loss. But then Diana begins to see things that aren’t there. Are these her memories returning, or something else?...

A rollercoaster of a film where nothing is as it seems.

SUN 16 | EVERYMAN | 12:00 SAT 8 | TRISKEL | 20:00

IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU

Mary Bronstein | United States | 2025 | 113 mins | Fiction

With her life crashing down around her, Linda (Rose Byrne in a towering – and awarded - performance) tries to navigate her daughter's mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist (Conan O’Brien).

Introduced by Clare Binns (Picturehouse Entertainment)

LINDA LINDA LINDA

Following the break-up of their band three days before the school festival, Kei, Kyoko and Nozomi recruit Korean exchange student Son (Bae Doona) to sing in their new line-up, despite Son’s slim grasp of Japanese. But can they learn the songs in time? An infectiously punky-pop cult classic, with a fresh 4K restoration.

WED 12 | ARC CINEMA | 20:15 SUN 16 | ARC CINEMA | 17:15

MAG MAG

Local legend tells of a curse where a two-metre tall female ghost known as Mag Mag haunts the men she falls in love with, terrifying them to death. Japan’s comedy sensation Yuriyan Retriever takes the traditional J-horror tropes and gives them an invigorating shake in her surreal, hilarious debut.

PHANTASM

Don Coscarelli | United States | 1979 | 114 mins | Fiction

Orphaned teen Mike uncovers more than he bargained for when spying on his older brother’s friend in the local graveyard, plunging himself and brother Jodie into a supernatural battle with a mysterious mortician. A lowbudget, surreal classic which has become a huge influence on modern horror and launched its own franchise.

WED 12 | ARC CINEMA | 15:00 SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 20:45 SUN 16 | TRISKEL | 20:00

PARALLAX

Striking works by experimenting filmmakers and artists.

THE MEMORY BLOCKS

Andrew Kotting | United Kingdom | 2025 | 77 mins | Subtitled

Beautiful and profound, The Memory Blocks feels like the apotheosis of Andrew Kotting’s collaborations with his daughter Eden. Set in some almost forgotten factory, a plucky band of neurodivergent workers help Eden navigate the murky waters of memory, while a motley bunch of fantastical figures accompany her somewhere over the rainbow

SUN 9 | ARC CINEMA | 20:00 | WITH Q&A

Acousmatic Through Abstraction

FREE RADICALS

SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 21:00 | 86 mins

Experimental work from Irish and international filmmakers.

Please note: This programme contains sequences of fast flashing lights. It may affect people who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy.

CLASSIF. & ME (LAIRD’S CONSTRAINT)

Alan O’Leary | Ireland | 2024 | 6 mins

ALICE HARDY

Chris O’Neill | Ireland | 2025 | 1 min

THE PRICE OF EXTRACTION

Ian Helliwell | United Kingdom | 2025 | 10 mins

MISMANTLER

Andrew Keogh | Ireland | 2025 | 79 mins | Fiction

A dark, stream of consciousness fever dream, gathering all that is decrepit in this world, and reflecting it all back to those who have reduced the Earth to what it is. Director

Andrew Keogh collaborates with Steve Stapleton and Nurse With Wound to take us deep into the heart of darkness.

FRI 14 | ARC CINEMA | 21:00 | WITH Q&A

THE ANGUISH OF PAOLA MENARD

Chris O’Neill | Ireland | 2025 | 5 mins

SPHEROID FEEDBACK

Ian Helliwell | United Kingdom | 2025 | 5 mins

BREATH

Vivian Papageorgiou | Greece | 2024 | 4 mins

LES RITES DE PASSAGE

Florian G.M. Fischer, Johannes Krell | Germany | 2025 | 15 mins

THE THIRD CIRCUIT

Yin Wrong | United Kingdom, Hong Kong | 2025 | 3 mins

ACOUSMATIC THROUGH ABSTRACTION

Oonagh O'Brien | Ireland | 2024 | 4 mins

ON THE HIGH SEAS, PART 1: THE BURGEONING DECISION TO GO ON A JOURNEY WILLY-NILLY

Ralf Petersen | Austria | 2024 | 10 mins

COMMUTE

Henry Hills | Austria | 2024 | 9 mins

THIS ARROW POINTS

Siegfried A. Fruhauf | Austria | 2025 | 2 mins

THE GARDEN OF ELECTRIC DELIGHTS

Billy Roisz | Austria | 2025 | 12 mins

AEMI EXPERIMENTAL SHORTS

LANDSCAPES EXPANDING

SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 13:00 | 66 mins

Films from key figures, including Gunvor Nelson, John Skoog, and Claes Söderquist this programme offers a concise overview of their deep catalogue through the frame of landscape. Filmform's Andreas Bertman will join us after the screening for a discussion about the role of artist film distributors.

Moons Pool

Gunvor Nelson | 1973 | 15 mins

Shadowland

John Skoog | 2015 | 15 mins

Landskap

Claes Söderquist | 1987 | 36 min

A TRIBUTE TO GUNVOR NELSON

SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 15:30 | 62 mins

Gunvor Nelson (1931–2025) is a key figure in the history of experimental film who sadly passed away earlier this year. This programme provides a fitting overview of the filmmaker's practice through the lens of family relations.

My Name is Oona

Gunvor Nelson | 1969 | 10 mins

Red Shift

Gunvor Nelson | 1984 | 47 mins

Time Being

Gunvor Nelson | 1991 | 5 mins

All titles courtesy of Filmform

STOLEN SEALSKIN

PARALLAX EMERGING FILM ARTIST

FRI 14 - SAT 29 | LORD MAYOR'S PAVILION | 11:00 - 16:00 | FREE

OPEN DAILY: 11:00 - 16:00, TUE-SAT

OPENING RECEPTION: 13:00, FRI 14 NOV

Stolen Sealskin is a solo exhibition by Sarah Lou Kinneen, recipient of the Parallax Emerging Film Artist Bursary 2025, a collaboration between CIFF, National Sculpture Factory and Sample-Studios to champion emerging film artists and moving image work. Stolen Sealskin reimagines the enduring Selkie legend through an immersive installation that drifts between myth and memory. The legend follows a shapeshifting seal-woman who becomes bound to land and severed from sea when her sealskin is stolen. Through moving image, sculpture and sound, Stolen Sealskin navigates autonomy, coercion, and biopolitics, drawing from folklore and cultural memory.

FAMILY & YOUNG PEOPLE

We invite you to explore our hand-picked collection of magical stories designed to spark curiosity and delight in younger audiences. From adventures in Japan and magical stories to tender tales of growing up, these films open doors to new worlds See p. 11 for our dog-friendly Family Gala: Lady and the Tramp! Each film includes an age recommendation to help guide your choice. For details on accessibility and relaxed screenings, please visit corkfilmfest.org/access

LITTLE AMÉLIE (AMÉLIE OU LA MÉTAPHYSIQUE DES TUBES)

Liane-Cho Han Jin Kuang, Mailys Vallade | France, Belgium | 2025 | 75 mins | Subtitled

Recommended Age: 8+

Amélie, a Belgian child in Japan, explores life with her nanny Nishio-san. Her third birthday becomes a turning point, marking the beginning of life-altering events that shape her understanding of the world.

SUN 16 | ARC CINEMA | 13:30

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SHORTS

2025 | 52 mins | Recommended Age: 4+

A selection of films for tots up to teens. From ancient Irish tales to sci-fi. Featuring lost sheep, silly birds and... monsters!

THE HIGH KING'S DAUGHTER - Joël Gibbs

LITTLE CAESAR - Amy Tierney

FIRST FLIGHT - Adrian Jaffé

BIRDS OF PARADISE - Tomek Ducki

MONSTER - Eric Glessmann

JUST IMAGINE - Karolis Kveselis

GLITCH - Bonnie Dempse

SAT 8 | ARC CINEMA | 11:30

TALES FROM THE MAGIC GARDEN (POHÁDKY PO BABIČCE)

David Súkup, Patrik Paššl, Leon Vidmar, JeanClaude Rozec | Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, France | 2025 | 71 mins | Fiction

Recommended Age: 6+

Three kids spend the night at their grandpa's house. To fill the silence after losing their grandma, the family's storyteller, they create their own stories and discover the power of imagination. This uplifting stop-motion film celebrates creativity and its healing magic.

With live narration in English by Hilary Rose.

SAT 15 | EVERYMAN | 11:30

REEL TEENS: FOR 13-18 YEARS

FANTASTIQUE

Recommended Age: 13+

Fanta, a 14-year-old Guinean contortionist, juggles between care for her mom, school and what she loves the most – training in an acrobatic group. Does she want to redouble efforts and join the group's tour, or move on from her childhood’s passion? A tender look at the age when one starts to make big decisions.

SUN 9 | ARC CINEMA | 17:30 FRI 14 | ARC CINEMA | 18:00

SUN 9 | ARC CINEMA | 17:30 | WITH Q&A FRI 14 | ARC CINEMA | 18:00

SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

MON 3 - FRI 7 | MON 10 - FRI 14 | ARC CINEMA

MON 10 - FRI 14 | REGAL CINEMA YOUGHAL

Presented in partnership with IFI Education, our Schools Programme supports film and languages in school curricula with specially selected feature films for Junior and Senior Cycle French, Spanish and German.

SENIOR FRENCH: The Marching Band (En Fanfare)

JUNIOR FRENCH: Savages (Sauvages)

SENIOR GERMAN: Two to One (Zwei zu Eins)

JUNIOR GERMAN: Winners (Sieger sein)

SENIOR SPANISH: Germany (Alemania)

JUNIOR SPANISH: Jump! (¡Salta!)

Accompanying Study Guides available at ifi.ie/studyguides

For enquiries and to book, please contact schools@corkfilmfest.org

AMBASSADE DE FRANCE EN IRLANDE

LOOK@ME OUTREACH FILMMAKING PROJECT

SAT 15 | ARC CINEMA | 11:00

CIFF is proud to present a programme of short films created by young people at Cork Migrant Centre with the support of Rethink Ireland’s Impact for Munster Fund. Look@Me is a film education outreach project pioneered by CIFF with local DEIS primary schools in Cork City. It offers young people a unique opportunity to develop tools to express themselves through filmmaking.

INTINN

INTINN is a free, unique film and mental health programme that offers Transition Year students the opportunity to explore mental health, personal wellbeing and strategies of resilience through film and related workshops.

Developed in collaboration with Dr. John Goodwin, School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC. INTINN offers students the opportunity to watch specially selected short films followed by a workshop session delivered by mental health experts.

Please note that a limited number of free sessions is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For enquiries and to book, please contact schools@corkfilmfest.org

MON 11-TUE 12 | TRISKEL | 10:30 & 11:40 THUR 13-FRI 14 | ST PETER'S | 10:30 & 11:40

FILMMAKING WORKSHOPS

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRST CUT! YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL

JUNIOR FILMMAKING WORKSHOP (8-12 y.o.)

SAT 15 | UCC | 10:00 - 13:00

Experience the fun and creativity of filmmaking!

SENIOR FILMMAKING WORKSHOP (13-17 y.o.)

SUN 16 | UCC | 11:00 - 16:30

For teens with a passion for filmmaking, working with professionals. Free but ticketed. To book: education@corkfilmfest.org

CINESPARK: FILM & EDUCATION DAY

THU 13 | MTU CURTIS AUDITORIUM | 10:00-15:40

FREE - BOOKING ESSENTIAL

Join us for a day designed to inspire, inform, and spark creativity. Aimed at Transition Year and Senior Cycle students, CINESPARK combines the excitement of youth-made films with insider insights into the film and animation industries, and thought-provoking discussions on climate action.

Across screenings, panels, and workshops, students will:

• Discover award-winning short films created by their peers in Cork and beyond.

• Meet professional and emerging animators and learn how to take their first steps into the animation industry.

• Engage with urgent issues of climate change through film, discussion, and creative response.

This free, one-day programme offers an ideal opportunity for teachers to bring students out of the classroom and into a dynamic learning environment where art, education, and social change meet.

Supported by

CINESPARK SCHEDULE (10:00 - 15:40):

FIRST CUT & FRESH FILM SHORTS

10:00 - 11:00

A selection of award-nominated short films made by young people from Cork, selected by First Cut! Youth Film Festival and Fresh Film Festival

NEXT GENERATION PROGRAMME

15 – 19 NATIONAL ROADSHOW

11:00 - 12:30

Learn how you can take your first steps towards a future in the animation industry. The panel, featuring The National Talent Academy for Animation, young and established award-winning animators, including Will Sliney (Marvel Comics, RTÉ), is ideal for class groups and individual young filmmakers and animators and will include a Q&A.

Free but booking is essential. For enquiries and to book, please contact schools@corkfilmfest.org.

Please note: for ages 15-19, TY students.

Presented in partnership with the IFI Next Generation (15-19) Programme.

AERÁID: YOUTH FILM & CLIMATE ACTION

13:00 - 15:40

Aeráid is CIFF’s unique youth film and climate action programme, designed to inspire young people about the positive changes they can make to protect our future.

Join us for a special screening of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey by Rúan Magan and narrated by Liam Neeson, a documentary that explores how water cycles are disrupted by climate change, sparking droughts, floods, and biodiversity loss while visionary relationships with water can inspire positive change.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and workshop with climate experts, encouraging discussion and positive action.

Presented in partnership with BlueTech Research®

Free but booking is essential. For enquiries and to book, please contact schools@corkfilmfest.org.

UCC PUTTNAM SCHOLARS 2025: CARDBOARD OCEAN

Presented by UCC's Puttnam Scholars: a seascape painter reflects on her past lives whilst grappling with her art and activism. Followed by a Q&A with the Scholars and David Puttnam. In partnership with University College Cork.

Join us after for the CIFF Shorts Awards, presented by David Puttnam.

THU 13 | TRISKEL | 17:00

COUNTY SCREENINGS & SUPER CINE SATURDAY

CIFF hits the road! During our 70th anniversary edition, we’re bringing a special selection of Festival highlights to cinemas across Cork County. Join us at Cinemax Bantry, Regal Cinema Youghal, and Briery Gap Macroom for a rich programme that celebrates Cork on screen and showcases international

NOUVELLE VAGUE

Richard Linklater’s love letter to the French New Wave.

TUE 11 | CINEMAX BANTRY | 18:00

Also screening in Cork City as part of our World Tour strand. See p.25

SIRÂT

A visually stunning, pulsepounding odyssey that electrified audiences at Cannes.

TUE 11 | CINEMAX BANTRY | 20:15

Also screening in Cork City as part of our World Tour strand. See p.27

titles, including the Palme d’Or winner at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Don’t miss this chance to experience the Festival closer to home - book early via corkfilmfest.org or the myCIFF app to secure your seat.

SUPER CINE SATURDAY

SAT 15 NOVEMBER

Enjoy a curated programme of Festival archive films and the 2025 Palme d’Or winner in Bantry, Macroom and Youghal.

IFI CORK ON CAMERA

Ireland | 1935–1965 | 82 mins | Documentary & Fiction

Step back in time with a rare programme that shines a light on Cork’s cinematic and literary heritage. In partnership with the Irish Film Institute, we present two short films adapted from the works of Frank O’Connor, alongside newly uncovered archival footage from the 10th Cork International Film Festival.

• Cork Film Festival, 1965 / Féile Scannán Chorcaí

Pádraig Ó Maidín | Ireland | 1965 | 17 mins

• Larry

Shelah Richards | Ireland | 1935 | 25 mins

• Guests of the Nation

Dennis Johnston | Ireland | 1935 | 40 mins

Briery Gap Macroom | 12:00

Cinemax Bantry | 14:30

Regal Cinema Youghal | 14:30

Also screening in Cork City as part of our Cork Lens strand. See p.46

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (YEK TASADOF-E SADEH)

Eghbal hits and kills a dog by accident at night, damaging his car. A small mishap triggers a chain reaction of ever-growing problems in this darkly humorous thriller.

Winner of the 2025 Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival, this gripping new drama from master filmmaker Jafar Panahi is a must-see event.

Briery Gap Macroom | 14:00 Cinemax Bantry | 17:00 Regal Cinema Youghal | 17:00

Also screening in Cork City as part of our World Tour strand. See p.24

Larry

BALLYMALOE GRAINSTORE: See p. 33 for a special screening of Rioja: The Last of a Thousand Wines + Rioja wine-tasting at Ballymaloe Grainstore, East Cork.

CIFF LEGACY DAY

CIFF, UCC and IFI present EXPANDING PERSPECTIVES ARCHIVES, ACCESS AND CREATIVE REUSE

WED 12 | UCC FSM AUDITORIUM B.10B

Kane Building | 10:00 - 18:00

Marking the Festival’s 70th edition, Legacy Day invites audiences to reflect on the moving image as both cultural treasure and fragile historical record. This symposium brings together filmmakers, archivists, academics, and film practitioners to consider how amateur films, newsreels, and overlooked footage capture everyday lives, while raising questions about preservation, access, and creative reuse.

The day opens with restored footage of CIFF 1965, introduced by Ciara Chambers (UCC) and Don O’Mahony (CIFF). This is followed by Archiving the Alternative, where Ellen Scally (UCC), Sarah Arnold (NUI Maynooth), Kasandra O’Connell (IFI), and Sunniva O’Flynn (IFI) examine pioneering women filmmakers, Cork’s cine-enthusiasts, and community-driven clergy filmmakers.

After a light lunch, Preserving Community Archives explores local projects, including The Ballymun Community Films Project and Cork Community Media Hub, with Andrew Keogh (producer, The 4th Act), Emma Bowell (Frameworks Films), and Niall Anderson (IFI), chaired by Kasandra O’Connell.

CORK LENS

Spotlighting the creative diversity of our local community, past and present, through film, conversation, and the panoramic screen of the city itself.

IFI CORK ON CAMERA

SUN 16 | TRISKEL | 14:00

In association with the Irish Film Institute (IFI) we present two films adapted from the work of the great Cork author, Frank O’Connor. Born Michael Francis O'Donovan on Douglas Street in 1903, O’Connor was a prolific writer and translator, having published novels, poetry and journalism. It is as a short story writer he has earned an international reputation. Much of his writing was shaped by his impoverished Cork childhood and his experiences of the Civil War.

Preceding these will be a screening of newly discovered film from the Festival archives, covering the 10th edition of the Cork International Film Festival. Directed by Cork County librarian and local historian Pádraig Ó Maidín, it captures the great and the good on the red carpet as well as pulling back the curtains on the behind the scenes activities.

The afternoon continues with a screening of Aikaterini Gegisian’s Third Person (Plural), a collage essay film made from 200 postwar American newsreels, followed by a Q&A with Gegisian.

Legacy Day closes with In the Opinion of the Censor, a screening and discussion with director Andrew Gallimore and producer John Kelleher, and Ciarán Kissane of the Irish Film Classification Office.

Full details and schedule on corkfilmfest.org

Tickets: No set price - Pay What You Can. Every contribution helps keep events like this accessible to all.

CORK FILM FESTIVAL, 1965 /FÉILE SCANNÁN CHORCAIGHE

Pádraig Ó Maidín | Ireland | 1965 | 17 mins

Featuring, amongst others, CIFF founder Dermot Breen, Jack Lynch TD, actors Trevor Howard, James Mason, Cyril Cusack and Noel Purcell, and filmmaker Louis Marcus.

LARRY

Shelah Richards | Ireland | 1959 | 25 mins

The cosy relationship between Larry and his mother is disrupted when his father comes home from the war.

GUESTS OF THE NATION

Denis Johnston | Ireland | 1935 | 40 mins

During the Irish War of Independence in 1921, two British soldiers captured by the IRA form bonds with their guards. But their captors face a stark dilemma.

Acclaimed pianist Josh Johnston, grandson of Shelah Richards and Denis Johnston, will provide musical accompaniment for Guests of the Nation.

CORK FILM TRAIL: PROJECTING FILM AND CORK OUT TO THE WORLD

Discover the story of Cork’s cinematic heritage with the Cork Film Trail.

Between Festival screenings, explore a series of vibrant, interactive installations across Cork city centre. From the very first Cork International Film Festival in 1956, through seven decades of evolving projector technology, to the famous filmmakers and industry icons who have visited Cork, the Trail brings the city’s film history to life in a fun and immersive way.

Follow the Trail through iconic locations such as Cork City Hall, ARC Cinema, To Have & To Hold at The Metropole Hotel, The Irish Examiner, Cork Airport, and Cork Kent Train Station, among others. Each stop offers short podcasts and QR

codes linking to the CIFF Digital Archive, so you can dive deeper into Cork’s cinematic past and explore decades of Festival brochures, programme highlights, and quirky historic insights. Along the way, enjoy Cork’s renowned hospitalitystop for a coffee, a pint, or a snack at nearby pubs and cafés (our map has all the best spots!). Don’t miss our popular Film Quiz, happening during the Festival - details on corkfilmfest.org and social media. Share your discoveries with friends using #CIFF2025 and let the world see Cork through the lens of film.

The Cork Film Trail is presented in collaboration with our Creative Partner, Babelfís, sponsored by Murphy’s and supported by Cork City Council.

CIFF WALKING TOURS CIFF DIGITAL ARCHIVE

Immerse yourself in the full city and CIFF heritage experience! Explore the Festival and our city on foot with additional CIFF Walking Tours to complement the Cork Film Trail during the Festival. For more information, tour dates and times, see corkfilmfest.org.

Supported by Cork City Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme.

Our Festival’s unique Digital Archive is a treasure trove of precious materials, including photographs, programme covers and posters from previous Festival editions, tracking the history of modern film and Cork amassed over 70 years. Developed in collaboration with the Department of Digital Humanities, UCC. View the archive online at corkfilmfest.org.

Scan here to view Cork International Film Festival brochures between 1956 and 2025.

They contain articles with insights into film interests at the time, as well as some of the novel Cork and Irish advertisements alongside the screening schedules.

Enjoy Responsibly

Supported By

IRISH SHORTS

Films in competition are eligible for the Grand Prix Irish Short Award [GP]. Films eligible for the Grand Prix Documentary Short Award [D], Redbreast UNHIDDEN Short Award [RU] and Pure Cork Award [C] where stated. All films 2025, except where indicated. Awards presentation supported by Murphy’s.

IRISH SHORTS 1: IN COMPETITION

88 mins

SAT 8 | ARC CINEMA | 20:15

A programme of Irish and world premiere shorts encompassing documentary and fiction. Featuring some formidable familiar talents and exciting new voices. An exploration of places and people, blending the serious and the comic.

TIN CITY - Feargal Ward [RU][D]

MARY IS MISSING - Aisling Byrne

MARGUERITE - Paul Webster

NO MEAN CITY - Ross McClean [D]

DAWN OF THE ICK - Nell Mercier

IRISH SHORTS 2: IN COMPETITION

95 mins

SUN 9 | ARC CINEMA | 12:00

Extraordinary new voices and an accomplished practitioner presenting playful, poetic and idiosyncratic portraits, and haunting and sublime drama.

ONGOING - Jack Hogan

BODYVERSES - FRANCES MEZZETTI: 2ND LOCK - Juan Robles

SCOITHEADH - Aoise Tutty Jackson [D]

SWIMMER - Helen Warner

I THOUGHT I HATED U, MOON

SNAIL - Jack Hogan [RU] [D]

Mary is Missing

Swimmer

Glen Folk

IRISH SHORTS 3: PURE CORK IN COMPETITION

86 mins

SUN 9 | EVERYMAN | 14:30

A selection of Cork, Cork-based, and Cork-visiting talent, viewing Cork and the world through their eyes with compassion and humour.All shorts in this programme are eligible for Best Cork Short Award.

HEAD FIRST - Sean Breathnach, Matt Sullivan ARE YOU THERE? - James O'Callaghan

MOAN - Neil O'Driscoll, Róisín O'Donovan

CHATTER - Stephen Canty

CULCHIE - Richard Lennon [RU]

FÁINLEÓGA - Luke O'Donoghue [D]

GLEN FOLK - Annie Mar Forrester, Aaron Ross [D]

THROUGH YOUR EYES - Yelyzaveta Zvarych [RU]

(2024)

IRISH SHORTS 4: OUT OF COMPETITION IRISH SHORTS

79 mins

FRI 7 | ARC CINEMA | 17:30

A selection of some of the shorts that caught our eye from those already released this year. Documentary work that confronts who we are, and who we were, and exciting new voices in fiction.

THE NEW POLICY REGARDING HOMELESS ASYLUM SEEKERS - Dennis Harvey

BOOBS - Nicola Leddy

DANCE ME CLEAN - Hildegard Ryan (2024)

DANCE TO REMEMBER - Dónal Dineen

UPPER CURRENT - Gregory O'Reilly (2024)

WOULD YOU RATHER - Sophie O'Donovan

FÍS ÉIREANN/SCREEN IRELAND SHORTS

82 mins

SAT 8 | EVERYMAN | 14:00

Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is proud to present Irish short films funded under the Focus film schemes, along with Cork picks of recent Screen Ireland short films. (WP) indicates World Premiere status.

PUNT - Nicky Larkin

LIKE ME - Aisling Brady (WP)

A SONG - Ellius Grace

MAGIC MARKERS - Jason Branagan (WP)

THE AFTERS - Jamie O’Rourke (WP)

Chatter

Dance Me Clean

INTERNATIONAL SHORTS

International premieres are eligible for Grand Prix International Short Award and Grand Prix Documentary Short Award. Films eligible for the Redbreast UNHIDDEN Short Award are indicated with [RU]. See p.42 for our Familyfriendly Shorts Programme (Irish and international films). All films are from 2025 except where indicated.

Correct Me if I’m Wrong

A Brighter Summer Day for the Lady Avengers

INTERNATIONAL SHORTS 1: DOCUMENTARY

91 mins MON 10 | ARC CINEMA | 16:00

From small steps taken in a museum in Kyiv to giant steps in Neil Armstrong's ancestral home, stories of evolution and revolution.

PALEONTOLOGY LESSON - Sergei Loznitsa

BLIND, INTO THE EYE - Atefeh Kheirabadi, Mehrad Sepahnia

I’M RECORDING - Ina Knap

HAPPILY EVER AFTER - Élodie Beaumont Tarillon

NEIL ARMSTRONG & THE LANGHOLMITES - Duncan Cowles [RU]

INTERNATIONAL SHORTS 2:

91 mins MON 10 | ARC CINEMA | 18:00

Behind the surface of the world we see, there is another world…

WHAT IF WE RUN OUT OF STONES? - Nora Štrbová [RU]

WORLD AT STAKE - Susanna Flock, Adrian Jonas Haim, Jona Kleinlein [RU]

ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF LOVE - Gabriel Abrantes [RU]

S THE WOLF - Sameh Alaa

WONDERWALL - Róisín Burns

LITTLE REBELS CINEMA CLUB - Khozy Rizal (2024)

INTERNATIONAL

SHORTS 3: DOCUMENTARY

91 mins TUE 11 | ARC CINEMA | 14:00

Stories in which the world isn't always what it seems. Perception and reality collide in extraordinary ways.

THEIR EYES - Nicolas Gourault

CORRECT ME IF I’M WRONG - Hao Zhou [RU]

I SAW THE FACE OF GOD IN THE JET WASH - Mark Jenkin

THE CLOUD FACTORY - Hannes Lang [RU]

INTERNATIONAL SHORTS 4:

91 mins TUE 11 | ARC CINEMA | 16:00

Life in the city...

A BRIGHTER SUMMER DAY FOR THE LADY AVENGERS - Birdy Wei-Ting Hung (2024)

NEKO - Inês Oliveira

INFLATABLE BEAR, HOURLY - Elisabeth Werchosin

RAW + POROUS - Ágata de Pinho

HOT PINK - Angie Polkovich

All international documentary shorts are eligible for the Grand Prix Documentary Award

Neil Armstrong & The Langholmites

Wonderwall

FROM GROUND ZERO+

THU 13 | ARC CINEMA | 20:00

A selection of three striking short films from the "From Ground Zero+" collection of untold stories from Gaza, portraying life in the besieged territory, through the eyes of local filmmakers.

France-based Coorigines Production collaborates with the Masharawi Fund for Films and Filmmakers in enabling Gazan directors and film crews to illustrate the continuity of the effects of war, not only with numbers and grim news, but with faces, names, and with art. Making these films becomes resistance, and an act of survival for the many people trapped in Gaza for almost two years.

EUNIC SHORT SHORTS FROM EUROPE FILM FESTIVAL 2025

90 mins

TUE 11 | ARC CINEMA | 18:00 | FREE BUT TICKETED

Shorts from 10 EU countries from the EUNIC Ireland cluster.

CROATIA PRESENTS:

GAMER GIRL - Irena Jukić Pranjić

CYPRUS PRESENTS: THE PARROT LADY - Michalis Kalopaidis

FRANCE PRESENTS: QUELQU'UN DE SPÉCIAL (SOMEONE SPECIAL) - Alice Gervat

HUNGARY PRESENTS: FROM THE CORNER OF MY EYES - Domonkos Erhardt

IRELAND PRESENTS: THE KEEPER - Martha Scanlon

VERY SMALL DREAMS

Etimad Washah | France, Palestine | 2025 | 21 mins

In a refugee camp in Gaza, women strive to preserve their dignity and health in inhuman living conditions, where even the most basic needs become unattainable dreams.

HASSAN

Muhammad Al-Sharif | France, Palestine | 2025 | 30 mins

A teenager breaks the siege of Gaza to save his family from starvation, facing arrest, the horrors of war, and forced separation, all the while dreaming of returning home and rebuilding his shattered life.

COLOURS UNDER THE SKY

Reema Mahmoud | France, Palestine | 2025 | 20 mins

Two young women, Amal and Aya, use art and music as silent weapons against the war in Gaza, finding refuge in their creations while dreaming of peace and returning home.

ITALY PRESENTS: GHOSTLY | IL MIO FANTASMA - Carlotta Maria Correra

POLAND PRESENTS: MAGDA - Adela Kacmarek

PORTUGAL PRESENTS: AMÉLIA & DUARTE - Mónica Santos and Alice Guimarães

SLOVENIA PRESENTS: THREE BIRDS (TRI TIČICE) - Zarja Menart

SPAIN PRESENTS: PERIQUITOS (PARAKEETS) - Alex Rey

Colours Under the Sky

Official Industry Partner: Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.

IN THE FRAME: SAIPAN

FRI 7 NOV | REPUBLIC OF WORK | 14:00 - 17:00 | €10 (€8)

To coincide with our Opening Night Gala celebration of Saipan, the Festival will present a special event focusing on the craft of the film, which will

comprise three conversations with key creative players behind the project, and include in-depth explorations of their individual processes.

Saipan co-directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn will join X-Pollinator to discuss their directorial vision for the film, and the journey from inception, through collaborating with the screenwriter, casting, prep, production and post.

Irish Screen Editors will examine the editorial process with editors John Murphy and Gavin Buckley. Finally, the Screen Composers Guild of Ireland will analyse the score of the film with its composer David Holmes, a long-standing collaborator of the filmmakers.

The event will be followed by a networking drinks reception, and is supported by Coimisiún na Meán: Sound and Vision, in collaboration with X-Pollinator, Irish Screen Editors and the Screen Composers Guild of Ireland.

FIRST TAKE

THU 13 NOV | TRISKEL | 10:30 - 16:00 | TICKETS €20* | INCLUDES LIGHT LUNCH

First Take is a training and development platform for newly established film professionals, film and media students and the wider film industry, which comprises case studies, presentations and panel discussions.

This year’s event will include a focus on the art of editing short film, in collaboration with Irish Screen Editors, and present a case study of the new short film Mary is Missing (see p.48), which features a cast and crew of adults with intellectual disabilities.

We will also delve into the initiatives and players aiding in the development of sustainable regional film production in Cork city and county, in partnership with Screen Producers Ireland, and host a conversation with leading Irish writers about carving a career in screenwriting, in collaboration with Storyhouse.

A light lunch will be provided, supported by the National Talent Academies.

All First Take sessions will be accompanied by Closed Captions on screen.

*Tickets €20 (includes lunch).

For groups of 10 or more, tickets: €15 each.

Full day package: First Take, Puttnam Scholars, CIFF Short Awards, and David Puttnam Talk: Festivals Matter (18:30, Triskel): €25

Visit corkfilmfest.org/industry for further details and to book.

Supported by

Anthony Muldoon Cara Loftus Édaín O Donnell

Malcolm Campbell Sinead O’Riardon

Aisling Byrne Aoife Barry

David O'Mahony

Killian Coyle

Sinead O’Loughlin

Yal Sadet

Ailbhe Keogan

Official Industry Partner: Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.

DOC DAY LIVE

FRI 14 NOV | TRISKEL | 11:00 - 17:00 | TICKETS €20 | INCLUDES LIGHT LUNCH

CIFF continues to develop its focus on highquality Irish and international documentary cinema with Doc Day, connecting emerging and established non-fiction filmmakers with industry professionals and the wider documentary sector.

Doc Day 2025 will pull focus on Irish feature documentary A Quiet Love, a ground-breaking nonfiction film that captures the remarkable love stories of three Deaf couples through Irish Sign Language. The film will have its Irish premiere at the Festival at 17:00 on Saturday, 15th November at the Triskel (see p.22)

The event will also delve into the work of filmmaker Dennis Harvey and his new feature Celtic Utopia (Irish

DOC DAY ONLINE

14 NOV - 12 DEC | FREE BUT TICKETED

In addition to the in-person offering for Doc Day 2025, the Festival will host a series of online sessions, complimenting this year’s non-fiction programme and encompassing in-depth filmmaker conversations and case studies.

This year’s sessions will focus on documentary films from the Festival programme, including Flophouse America (see p.30 for film details); The Moelln Letters, (see p.30); and Coexistence, My Ass! (see p.24).

Visit corkfilmfest.org/industry for further details and to book.

premiere at 17:00 on Saturday, 8th November at The Everyman), and examine director Andy Mundy-Castle's Shoot the People (20:15, Friday 14th November at the Everyman), a film about photojournalist Misan Harriman.

The event will conclude with a keynote career conversation with documentarian Sinead O’Shea, director of Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story, which won both the Best Irish Feature and Audience Awards at Cork International Film Festival in 2024.

All Doc Day sessions will have Closed Captions and Irish Sign Language will be provided by a sign language interpreter (see p.57 for more information on Access at CIFF or visit corkfilmfest.org/access).

A networking reception will conclude the event from 17:00 to 18:00, followed by the Documentary Gala screening of Shoot the People at 20:15 at the Everyman (see p. 11)

Supported by

Cara Holmes Garry Keane Laura Cranley Misan Harriman Sinead O’Shea

Anne Heffernan Dennis Harvey Geoff Power Martin Danneels Sean Herlihy Kathriona Devereux

Andy Mundy-Castle

The Moelln Letters

INDUSTRY EVENTS

MENOPAUSE AND THE SCREEN SECTOR: DUAL LENS - FROM PERCEPTION TO REPRESENTATION

SAT 15 NOV | NANO NAGLE PLACE | 10:00 - 14:00 | FREE OF CHARGE (BOOKING ESSENTIAL)

IGNITE-DOCS

IGNITE-Docs is a bilingual talent development programme led by Cork International Film Festival and Docs Ireland, directed towards emerging Irish and Northern Irish documentary filmmakers embarking on their first or second non-fiction feature film.

OUT OF FRAME ROUND 26: PURE CORK

SUN 9 NOV | THE ROUNDY | 18:00

| FREE ENTRY

For two years now, Out of Frame has provided a platform to showcase Cork’s talented and diverse film community and become a space for exchange and connection among filmmakers. Every month, the film talk upstairs in The Roundy follows a different theme and invites local filmmakers to talk about their work, their background and specific roles in the industry.

In collaboration with CIFF, this month Out of Frame will feature filmmakers from the Irish Shorts programme, Pure Cork (see p. 49).

Website: www.outofframecork.com

Instagram: @outofframecork

Official Industry Partner: Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.

Part of the National Talent Academies Menopause Awareness Programme for the Screen Sector, this inperson event will explore how menopause is portrayed - and often misunderstood - both culturally and creatively. The session will begin with a hands-on creative workshop led by industry experts, empowering participants to reimagine menopause narratives through storytelling and screenwriting. It will be followed by a live-streamed panel featuring leading voices from film, television, academia, and health, examining how menopause and mid-life women are framed in screen culture.

Complementing the theme, Solomamma, a film about a woman in her 40s who becomes a single mother via sperm donation, will screen at CIFF following the workshop, at 15:30 on Saturday 15 November at the Arc Cinema (see p.19).

Visit nationaltalentacademies.ie for further details and to book.

A joint initiative of Cork International Film Festival & Docs Ireland, Belfast, supported by TG4, the Arts Council of Ireland, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme, Coimisiún na Meán, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet, and Northern Ireland Screen.

A partnership between National Talent Academies, Women in Film & TV Ireland, Screen Guilds of Ireland, and Cork International Film Festival. Supported by

FESTIVAL HUBS & CLUB

Immerse yourself in the Festival buzz - whether it’s over a morning coffee as you plan your next screening or winding down with filmmakers and friends late into the evening.

BOX OFFICE: ARC CINEMA

North Main St., Cork T12 KN88

Festival audiences are welcome to talk to our box office team in person at the CIFF Box Office, Arc Cinema Cork, North Main Street, every day from 10.30, Mon 3 - Sun 16 Nov. The Arc Cinema Cork is home to The GATE Screen — a space dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacy of the beloved former Gate Cinema — and an ideal spot for meeting fellow festival goers in between screenings.

CIFF Box Office:

Every day from 10:30, Monday 3 - Sunday 16 Nov

FESTIVAL HUB: THE MOXY

Camden Quay, Cork T23 C2RR

We’re delighted to partner with The Moxy as our daytime Festival Hub for filmmakers and festival guests. Right in the heart of the city, The Moxy offers stylish communal spaces perfect for meeting fellow filmmakers, jurors, and industry professionals, or simply to pause for refreshments.

Opening hours: 11:00–16:00, Friday 7 – Sunday 16 Nov

FESTIVAL CLUB: INTERMISSION @ THE PAV

13 Carey’s Lane, Cork T12 RD00

When the lights go down, the Festival spirit carries on at Intermission @ The Pav. Our Festival Club is the perfect place to relax, share stories, and connect with filmmakers, friends, and film lovers in a welcoming, intimate setting.

Join us every night of the Festival from 21:30 for convivial conversation and revitalising refreshments.

The Festival Club is sponsored by our official Drinks Partner, Murphy’s.

ONLINE SELECTION

We are delighted to offer this programme of features online nationwide from Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 November.

Just like cinema screenings, online screenings have limited capacity so we recommend pre-booking. See corkfilmfest.org to book and watch.

TO BOOK YOUR ONLINE TICKET

1. Visit corkfilmfest.org and choose your film. Click on ‘Book Now’

2. Book/pre-book and pay for your film when prompted

3. When you have successfully paid, your film will become available to watch at 12.01 on Sat 15 Nov (if you are pre-booking) or as soon as you have paid during the seven-day programme period.

• Once you start watching your film, you have 30 hours to finish it

• You can pause your film at any time during the 30-hour watch window

• Each film in the online programme is available to start watching at any time during the seven-day availability period (15-23 Nov)

BETTER GO MAD IN THE WILD

CLIMATE IN THERAPY

PAUL

See p.29

Nathan Grossman | Sweden, Norway | 2025 | 65 mins | Documentary

See p.35

PORTRAIT

Denis Coté | Canada | 2025 | 87 mins | Documentary

See p.34

OF A CONFUSED FATHER

See p.31

SIX WEEKS ON (SECHSWOCHENAMT)

See p.18

THAT SUMMER IN PARIS (LE RENDEZ-VOUS DE L'ÉTÉ)

See p.32

ACCESSIBILITY AT CORK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

We are committed to making Ireland’s largest film festival welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to everyone.

ACCESSIBLE COMMUNICATION

• Our website has accessibility features that help improve the visual experience for those who need it.

• The Access page on our website (corkfilmfest.org/access) outlines accessibility information for venues and events.

• Our Social Media content includes alttext for images for screen-readers.

• Our on-site Access Volunteers are trained to help audiences and attendees improve upon their CIFF experience.

SENSORY PACKS

A limited number of sensory packs will be available at selected events. It is recommended that you book them by emailing us at access@corkfilmfest.org

ACCESSIBLE VENUES

Most CIFF venues in Cork city and county are wheelchair accessible, with step-free or ramped entry, adapted toilets, and priority seating areas. Our team and venue staff are available to provide assistance, and we encourage you to contact us in advance with any specific requirements.

HIDDEN DISABILITIES SUNFLOWER

Since 2025, CIFF is affiliated with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, which supports people with nonvisible disabilities, conditions, or chronic illnesses. The sunflower lanyard, bracelet, or badge signals that the wearer may need extra help, time, or understanding. Our trained volunteers, identifiable by their sunflower lanyards, are always happy to assist.

CAPTIONING

& SUBTITLING

We are committed to making more events accessible to Deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences. Selected screenings feature: Descriptive on-screen captions for selected screenings

The following events will have Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation: A Quiet Love (see p.22) and Doc Day (see p.53)

Subtitled Films: All non-English films are presented with English subtitles.

Look for the symbols above in the programme and online listings.

FIND US

SCAN HERE

If you are planning to visit Cork to attend the 70th Cork International Film Festival, scan the QR code to access our map and helpful travel and accommodation tips. Please check with your travel operator regarding the latest travel information and timetables.

AUDIO DESCRIPTION

For blind and visually impaired audiences, the Triskel offers a hearing loop system for all cinema screenings. This is not available at the Arc Cinema or The Everyman.

RELAXED SCREENINGS

Relaxed screenings create a more informal environment for neurodivergent audiences, families, or anyone who may benefit from a less restrictive cinema experience.

Adjustments include softer sound, partially raised house lights, and a relaxed approach to movement and noise in the auditorium. (see p.42) for our Relaxed Screenings as part of our Family & Young People strand.

ACCESSIBLE TICKETING

• Concession rates are available for students and under 25s, senior citizens, jobseekers, and those with disabilities.

• Personal Assistants/Carers attend free of charge.

• Tickets can be booked online, via the myCIFF app, by phone, or in person.

• Our box office team will be happy to advise on seating and accessibility options.

If you have any access needs, questions, or suggestions, please contact us in advance so we can support your visit.

��access@corkfilmfest.org

+353 (0) 21 427 1711

SUSTAINABILITY

CIFF is committed to becoming a greener organisation that can lead the way for a more sustainable cultural landscape in Ireland. We aim to continuously improve our sustainability performance by focussing on four key pillars that reflect CIFF’s overarching purpose - these are: Community; Climate; Education & Influence; and Fairness.

Our Access webpage (corkfilmfest.org/access) includes details on public transport options for each of the Festival’s main venues.

We encourage our audiences to support us on our sustainability journey, and we welcome any feedback that can help us improve: sustainability@corkfilmfest.org

CORK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS

HONORARY AWARDS

DAVID PUTTNAM HONORARY AWARD

In honour of our patron, the Oscar®-winning producer and film education luminary, David Puttnam. The inaugural award will be presented to David Puttnam at our Opening Gala (Thursday 6 November, see p. 10) by the multi-award-winning actor Gabriel Byrne. See p.14 and 16 for special events with David Puttnam at CIFF2025.

FEATURES AWARDS

Features award winners to be announced at the Awards Gala, Saturday 15 November (see p. 12).

EURIMAGES AUDENTIA AWARD 2025

CIFF was selected as the host film festival in Europe to present the 2025 EURIMAGES Audentia Award, a €30k prize to be given to a female director, in the framework of the Eurimages Gender Equality strategy. The aim of this prestigious award is to give high-level visibility and profile to the work and achievements of female directors, encouraging more women in this field.

Jurors:

Emma Scott, Head of Audiences, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland

Alex Pentek, Contemporary Artist & Sculptor

HONORARY DISRUPTOR AWARD

Our 2025 Honorary Disruptor Award will be awarded to filmmaker John Boorman. Cherie Lunghi, star of Excalibur (see p. 38), will present the award and the ceremony will include video messages from major artists who worked with Boorman. (see p. 15)

BEST NEW IRISH FEATURE

Proudly supported by the Irish Examiner.

Jurors:

Édaín O’Donnell, Founding Director, West Cork FIlm Studios

Jane Yao, Producer & Programmer

Charlotte O’Sullivan, Journalist, The Guardian

SPIORAD NA FÉILE: BEST FILM & BEST SCREENPLAY (TWO AWARDS) (SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL)

Jurors:

Clare Binns, Managing Director, Picturehouse

Dennis Harvey, Filmmaker

Chris Kumar, Programmer, Glasgow Film Festival

Julia Weigl, Artistic Director, Munich Film Festival

GRADAM NA FÉILE DO SCANNÁIN FAISNÉISE

(AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY)

Jurors:

Ross Killeen, Filmmaker & Founder/Director at Motherland

Proinsias Ní Ghráinne, Commissioning Editor, TG4

Paul Vickery, Head of Programming, The Prince Charles Cinema

SHORTS AWARDS

Presented on Thu 13 November in partnership with Murphy’s

All short film awards will be decided by the Short Film Jury:

Proudly supported by The Arc Cinema

Chosen by our youth jury comprising students from UCC, MTU and St. John’s Central College.

LOOKOUT AWARD AUDIENCE AWARD (FEATURES)

Chosen by you, the audience, by voting online. All Festival features that have their Irish premiere in cinema are eligible for the award. Winner to be announced on Monday 17 November.

Spirit of the Festival (see page 18)

Best New Irish Feature (see page 20)

Films eligible for the Lookout Award

Sanne Jehoul, Talent Development Programme Manager, Glasgow Short Film Festival

Kasia Karwan, Programmer, Cannes Film Festival Short Films

GRAND PRIX IRISH SHORT Academy Award®-Qualifying Category

GRAND PRIX INTERNATIONAL SHORT Academy Award®-Qualifying Category

GRAND PRIX DOCUMENTARY SHORT Academy Award®-Qualifying Category

REDBREAST UNHIDDEN SHORT AWARD

A new award to champion emerging Irish and international filmmaking talent, in partnership with our Whiskey Partner, Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

BEST DIRECTOR: IRISH SHORT

Supported by Screen Directors Guild Ireland

BEST CORK SHORT AWARD

Cork International Film Festival is the official Irish representative for:

SHORT FILM CANDIDATE FOR THE EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS 2026

AUDIENCE AWARD (SHORTS)

Films eligible for the Documentary Award

Films eligible for the Audentia Award

Chosen by you, the audience. Vote online for your favourite short. Winner to be announced on Mon 17 November.

Our awards are designed and created by

[GP] Eligible for Grand Prix Irish Short Award

[D] Eligible for Documentary Short Award

[C] Eligible for Best Cork Short Award

[RU] Eligible for Redbreast UNHIDDEN Short Award

Dearbhla Regan, Head of Film & Talent Development, Wild Atlantic Pictures

2025 MARKS CIFF’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY HELP US SHAPE THE NEXT 70 YEARS

This year, we invite you to support our expanded efforts to create lasting impact through our work in youth mental health outreach, filmmaker development, and educational access.

We have set a donation fundraising target of €7,000, and every contribution—regardless of size— will play a vital role in helping us reach it. Your support will directly help us reach more young people and nurture more creative talent.

Thank you for your support and generosity.

Scan the QR code to donate €7, €17, €70 or more.

Or visit: corkfilmfest. org/donate