Sunshine And Stars At Opening Of Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival

The 5th Corona Fastnet Film Festival launched last night Wednesday 22nd, at Grove House in Schull, West Cork. Speakers at the event were Festival Chairman Maurice Seezer, Former Chairman Chris O’Dell and Chairman of the BFI and the FA, Greg Dyke. Also in attendance to celebrate the festival’s opening were, Paschal Scott and Jeff and Hilary Durman.
Over 200 guests soaked up the sunshine, and the atmosphere, enjoying a stunning performance from Playacting Theatre and live music by the Ceilé All-stars. Thanks to Barry and Fitzwilliam the Coronas and Lime were flowing, as was the conversation on film. Schull is definitely the place to be and be seen this week, right through to the Wrap Party on Sunday night.
Several exciting participants at the festival will include filmmakers, Lenny Abrahamson, Andrzej Bartkowiak, David Quin and Jack Gold, who will be on the scene in Schull for the duration of the Festival.
Despite the fact that the town has no cinema, organisers have come up with innovative methods to showcase over 250 films all over the town by encouraging filmmakers, tourists and locals to access the submitted competition films locally, on their laptops, iPads and smart phones, simply by logging on. For four days at the end of May, Schull village itself becomes a cinema with screenings in 9 venues in town. There will be special guests, gala screenings, workshops and round table discussions, Gavin Harte's Cycling Cinema Tent where the projector and sound runs on pedal power, Horse Box Cinema, Children’s activity tent with puppetry, storytelling, tee-shirt painting and children's movies, BBQ, Music and Market Stalls all at the Secret Garden on Main Street.
This has all been possible thanks to the generous support of Corona, Barry & Fitzwilliam, Fáilte Ireland, West Cork Development Partnership, Cork County Council, Culture Ireland, Irish Film Board, Screen Training Ireland, Bill & Judy Bollinger, The Bodega, Ulli Crespo & Michael Satke, Ronan Daly Jermyn, Roberts Nathan, Subaru Ireland, Denis & Mary Ryan, Digital Forge, Canon, Cavs, IOMEGA, Newstalk, Cork Screen Commission, Grove House, AV3, SLR Broadcast Hire, and all of the business and personal friends of the festival.
Fastnet Short Film Festival
(MH/CD)