The Irish Film Festival Australia is celebrating its 10th Anniversary 2024 Festival, and has been touring around the country since opening on October 17th.

DATES & DEETS

  • 17 OCT – 03 NOV Online across Australia 
  • 17 – 20 OCT Dendy Cinema, Newtown, Sydney NSW
  • 24 – 27 OCT Cinema Nova, Carlton, Melbourne VIC
  • 01 – 03 NOV Luna Cinema, Leederville, Perth WA
  • 15 – 17 NOV Dendy Cinema, Coorparoo, Brisbane QLD
  • 22 – 24 NOV Dendy Cinema, Canberra ACT
  • TICKETS www.irishfilmfestival.com.au

Festival director, Dr Enda Murray said: “This year we want to celebrate 10 years of showcasing the very best of Irish cinema to Australian audiences. From humble beginnings in 2015, the festival has grown to this year screening in five cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and Canberra. We are also maintaining the accessible online festival which brings Irish film to every corner of this vast and wonderful land.”

The 2024 festival will showcase a total of 16 films and documentaries from Ireland. This includes one world premiere and 12 Australian premieres. The festival will screen in cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Canberra from 17th October to 24th November and online across Australia from 17th October to 3rd November. Seven of the films are cinema only, six are cinema and online and three are online only. 

Among the highlights this year are the opening night film and Australian premiere of Pat Collins’s That They May Face the Rising Sun, based on the internationally acclaimed, award-winning novel by Irish author John McGahern, which captures the essence of nature, humanity, and the rhythms of life in a rural Irish community in the 1980s.

Dr Murray continues: “The twin focus of this year’s festival is music and women’s issues, including domestic violence and abuse. We’re excited to showcase films like Farewell to Hughes, where Brendan Gleeson explores Dublin’s legendary pub scene, and Ó Bhéal, featuring the new wave of Irish musicians blending tradition with innovation. On women’s rights, we highlight powerful stories like, The Guards – Domestic Violence, documenting Ireland’s first conviction for coercive control, and Stolen, which sheds light on the country’s painful history of forced mother and baby separations.”

 This year’s program features an eclectic mix of dramas, thought-provoking documentaries, horrors, and a family-friendly animation. Several directorial debuts are included in the program, such as Claire Dix who directs Sunlight and Patricia Kelly who directs Verdigris. Among the standout selections are numerous award-winning films, such as That They May Face the Rising Sun, which won Best Film at the 2024 Irish Film and Television Awards and Best Feature Film Avant-Garde and Genre at the 2024 Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema. 

In Farewell to Hughes’s, a documentary about traditional Irish music, we see a different side of Oscar-nominated actor Brendan Gleeson. While he played a musician in his award-winning performance in The Banshees of Inisherin, Gleeson is also an accomplished fiddle player, having played Irish traditional music since his teens. 

In his exclusive Q&A interview with the Irish Film Festival he said: “Irish music is everywhere in the world now. When I started 30 years ago, I used to go to the States and bring my music with me on a little iPod. Now when I go to the USA there are Irish music sessions everywhere. So many people are accessing Irish music now, I think it has a great future!”

Don’t miss the Irish Film Festival Opening Nights in each city, which will kick off with a gala reception featuring complimentary drinks and live Irish music.

Audiences will also have exclusive behind-the-scenes access to films via Q&A sessions between festival director Dr Enda Murray and a selection of the films’ directors and cast. 


IRISH FILM FESTIVAL AUSTRALIA PROGRAM

That They May Face the Rising Sun (Cinema only): Joe and Kate leave London for rural Ireland, embracing solitude and routine. This quietly powerful film portrays the beauty and isolation of country life. Stellar performances add depth to this reflective story.

Verdigris (Cinema only): Marian, trapped in a controlling marriage, forms an unlikely friendship with Jewel, a young sex worker. Their bond transforms their lives. A heartfelt tale of survival and growth.

Dance First (Cinema only): A biopic exploring Samuel Beckett’s inner struggles and relationship with fame. The film delves into his personal regrets and emotional turmoil. An intimate portrayal of a literary icon.

Tarrac! (Pull!) (Cinema and online): Aoife returns home to care for her father and rediscovers currach racing. Their journey brings suppressed grief to the surface. A poignant exploration of family, loss, and healing.

All You Need is Death (Cinema only): A couple unlocks an ancient curse through forbidden songs, awakening a terrifying evil. Their quest for knowledge turns into a nightmare. A chilling tale of mythology and madness.

The Guards – Domestic Violence (Cinema only): This documentary uncovers the first Irish conviction for coercive control. It highlights emotional abuse and the fight for justice. A powerful film raising awareness about hidden violence.

A Greyhound of a Girl (Cinema only): Mary embarks on a magical road trip with her grandmother’s ghost, reflecting on family and love. Based on Roddy Doyle’s story. A heartwarming journey through memory and bonds.

Farewell to Hughes’s (Cinema and online): Brendan Gleeson celebrates Hughes’s, a beloved Dublin pub known for Irish music. Through interviews and footage, the documentary honours its cultural significance. A nostalgic tribute to music and community.

Stolen (Cinema and online): A documentary revealing the harrowing history of Ireland’s Mother and Baby Homes. Survivors demand justice for systemic abuse. A compelling call for accountability and healing.

Sunlight (Cinema and online): Recovering addict Leon takes his mentor Iver on a final road trip to restore his will to live. Their journey explores mortality and friendship. A poignant, bittersweet tale.

Lie of the Land (Cinema and online): An aging couple’s desperate fight to save their farm leads to a dangerous deal. The film explores sacrifice and morality in rural Ireland. A tense, gripping drama.

Ó Bhéal (Verballed) (Cinema and online): This documentary explores Ireland’s evolving hip-hop and electronic music scene. Artists blend modern sounds with traditional influences. A vibrant celebration of Irish music and identity.

It’s a Fine Thing to Sing (Online only): Musicians breathe new life into Donegal’s traditional songs. Set against stunning landscapes, the film celebrates folk music and heritage. A touching tribute to Ireland’s musical roots.

The Stunning: We Come Alive (Online only): Irish rock band The Stunning celebrates 30 years of music with a concert film. Relive their hits and stories behind their songs. A must-watch for fans and music lovers.

The Building and Burning of a Refugee Camp (Online only): Three asylum seekers in Dublin face violence and hostility as they build a community. The documentary highlights their resilience against adversity. 

The Continental Céilí (Cinema and online): This documentary follows a diverse group of musicians reinterpreting Irish traditional music. It explores identity through their performances. 

Pictures: Cover shows That They May Face the Rising Sun, and main, Brendan Gleeson in Farewell to Hughes’s. Credit: Supplied

This story was published in the November edition of Anglo&Celtic magazine.