All has changed in the world of film festivals post-Covid-19, and Fresh International Film Festival (March 22-28) is going digital as it celebrates its 25th anniversary of giving young filmmakers a platform to shine. Ireland's Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards 2021 will take place online with presenter and documentary filmmaker Stephen Byrne and comedian and social creative Justine Stafford hosting this year’s awards.
Jayne Foley, founder and artistic director of Fresh Film said, “In honour of our 25th anniversary we are offering an amazing line up of programme events this year including an alumni showcase, screenings, workshops and masterclasses. While we can't bring our community of young filmmakers together in one room right now, we can bring them together online. In the spirit of Fresh our online activities will connect, inspire and support young filmmakers."
Justine said, "Being back hosting at Fresh Film, a festival that I once attended as a teen and had my films screened and awarded at is such an incredible honour. I’m so excited to see all the festival entries for 2021 and it is truly a privilege to be here hosting them!”
Stephen added, “I'm delighted to be hosting Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards this year with Justine. In what has been such a difficult year for many it is incredibly inspiring to see all the filmmakers involved making incredible stories with all odds stacked against them. The future of film in Ireland is strong!”
Fresh International Film Festival 2021 takes place March 22 - 28 and features an alumni showcase and a week of film screenings, school workshops and young filmmaker masterclasses. The Junior Finals of Young Filmmaker of the Year will take place on Thursday 25 March and the Seniors Finals the next day, Friday 26 March via YouTube live stream.
Thanks to the Arts Council, Limerick City and County Council, The BAI and Screen Skills Ireland the Fresh International Film Festival amazing programme of activities is 2021 is free. This year’s virtual programme includes:
Monday 22 March - Classic Fresh, a screening as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations. This is the first of three Classic Fresh screenings featuring the best short films from the Fresh archive.
The screenings run at 7pm Monday 22 March, Tuesday 23 March and Wednesday 24 March. All screenings on www.freshfilmfestival.com/programme.
Tuesday 23 March – The Image You Missed Feature Screening from 10am. This multi award winning film explores history, identity, filmmaking and storytelling and would be a unique discussion piece for your classwork on The Troubles. For information on how to access the film please contact info@freshfilmfestival.net.
The screening of the International Youth Cinema Network awards winners films from 11.30am - 12.30pm here.
Wednesday 24 March – Take 25, a special programme about Fresh's 25 years will be released via Fresh International Film Festival’s YouTube at 6.30pm. Fresh Film Director Jayne Foley is joined by a host of graduate Fresh Filmmakers to reminisce and celebrate 25 years of Fresh. From early winners of The Irish School Video Competition to Ireland’s Young Filmmakers of the Years!
Thursday 25 March – Screening the Junior finalist film’s and some International films via the festival website plus the announcement of the Ireland's Junior Young Filmmaker of the Year award winner via YouTube.
At 7pm tune in for Meet the Director with Dr Tony Tracy in conversation with Dónal Foreman, Director of The Image You Missed, via Zoom. Booking via Eventbrite.
Friday 26 March – Screening the International finalist’s films on Friday 26 March. At 7.30pm Ireland's Young Filmmaker of the Year Senior Award winners will be announced via YouTube.
Saturday 27 March – Young Filmmaker Masterclasses, with the Screen Composers Guild of Ireland, Hubbard Casting and Dominic Power. This day of film skills is for young teenage filmmakers and places can be booked via Eventbrite. You can book for the full day or for specific elements of the day.
For the full programme of events visit www.freshfilmfestival.com/programme.
