Irish Film Festival 2023 – a preview
The Irish Film Festival is back bigger than ever. Boasting 16 films, including 15 Australian premieres, and award-winning titles and talent the festival screens in five captial cities and online across Australia from October 5 – November 5.
Audiences will also have exclusive behind-the-scenes access to films via Q&A sessions with Festival Director & Founder Dr Enda Murray, directors and cast.
From tales of tragedy to triumph, the 9th Irish Film Festival Australia will showcase a new Ireland in 2023 with stories from our past that deserve to be heard. A diverse mix of dramas, documentaries and comedy has been carefully selected; quality films that will move you in ways that only Irish stories can.
Highlights of this year’s lineup include the award-winning opening night film Lakelands; the Oscar and BAFTA-winning short An Irish Goodbye; and Joyride, staring Oscar winner Olivia Colman and written by BAFTA-winner Ailbhe Keogan (Bad Sisters).
The festival also presents a range of films that delicately deal with Ireland’s dark past. The documentary Lyra tells the story of journalist Lyra McKee, while Ann is a dramatisation of the events that lead to the death of Ann Lovett during childbirth, her death sparking a movement to end the abortion ban. Pray For Our Sinners tells the story of campaigners who took on the church abuse of young pregnant women in a small Irish town.
Irish language film Róise & Frank is a lighthearted and hilarious yet moving, emotional ode to the loss of a loved one and deserves all the praise it has been receiving. A fantastic one to watch with the family!
Festival opening nights in each city includes a ticketed reception event with drinks, live music and a guaranteed warm Irish welcome.
The 2023 Irish Film Festival will be showing nationally from 5 October to 5 November in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Melbourne. Tickets are on sale now. Visit www.irishfilmfestival.com.au for more information and tickets.
Screening dates and venues:
October 5 – 8: SYDNEY Dendy Cinema, Newtown
October 13 – 15: BRISBANE Dendy Cinema, Coorparoo
October 20 – 22: CANBERRA Dendy Cinema, Canberra
October 27 – 29: PERTH Luna Cinema, Leederville
November 2 – 5: MELBOURNE Cinema Nova, Carlton
And online across Australia October 5 – 15
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Italian Film Festival 2022 – a preview
- Win tickets to the 2023 German Film Festival
- British Film Festival 2020 – movie feature
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television