Rathmullan Film Festival returns with a legendary line-up

Back for its seventh year, Rathmullan Film Festival will take place from Thursday, February 15 until Sunday 18 and has a legendary weekend in store to keep the whole family entertained over the mid-term break.

Rathmullan Film Festival has continued to grow as a participatory film festival since it launched in 2018, and over the past few years, it has become a four-day event in the heart of Rathmullan and has been vital in promoting tourism and creativity in the Northwest. Jam-packed with a range of exciting workshops, inspiring films, sports fun and fabulous events, this year’s programme builds on the success of previous years, continuing to involve more and more of the local community and their talent.

“It’s great to be back for another year, celebrating creativity in the community, Donegal and around the Northwest”, says Festival Assistant, Katie McAteer. “With the Donegal TV and film industry constantly growing and the buzz of Abu Media filming in Rathmullan in 2023, it’s great to be building on that excitement. There’s more interest in the film festival this year than ever, with locals and creatives based in the Northwest getting involved in filmmaking and hosting events, screenings and workshops. We’ve all worked really hard to ensure this year’s programme has something for everyone to enjoy. So we hope to see locals and those from the surrounding areas, and visitors from all over, making the most of the festival over the midterm break”.

Theatrical Thursday
The Gala Night Local Legends Oscars Party is happening in Ray Community Centre at 6pm, where guests will don their most fabulous superhero costume and celebrate local heroes with a series of films made with the support of The Tomar Trust by pupils in St. Joseph’s N.S., St. Garvan’s N.S., and the local community. Before the gala night, take a trip down memory lane and enjoy local history with short films by Arthur Lynch and local filmmakers in the SVP Centre from 2pm.

Film Fun Friday
Bars and restaurants around the village are taking a theatrical transformation for the festival with the screening of Nothing Compares, Kathryn Ferguson’s beautiful tribute to the late Sinead O’Connor in Mary Macs at 4pm; screening of documentary Sour Grapes and wine tasting experience with Janette Devlin in An Bonnán Buí at 7:30pm, and Frida Fridays Movie Quiz in An Stád at 7pm. Rathmullan Celtic FC’s soccer extravaganza will also be happening at the Flagpole Field from 6pm.

Saturday Screenings
Rathmullan House will host Inspire: Shorts Programme and Discussion, that will allow participants to step into the world of filmmaking with masterclasses, screenings of short films by Northwest film students and panel discussions. In the evening Sounds of Heritage, will celebrate Donegal’s rich storytelling and music traditions with the premiere of ‘What’s the Story’ short films, screening of Fiddler on the Road and live music by Carol Wilson, Sinead Gallagher and local guest musicians. Mayhem Martial Arts will also be hosting a kickboxing class from 12:30pm and The Polar Plunge is happening at the pier from 2pm.

Sunday’s Spotlight
Embark on a cinematic adventure with a Film Treasure Hunt that starts in the Beachcomber Beergarden at 12pm and brings you on a trail of movie magic, uncovering unexpected corners and local history. Colmcille – An Naomh Dána, a documentary film about one of Ireland and Scotland’s most important saints, St. Columba, will be screened from 2pm and introduced by members of the Colmcille Gospel Choir. Wrap up the festival with North x Northwest, a screening of short films celebrating the filmmaking scene in the north and northwest, followed by a panel discussion featuring Pierce Boyce and Bríd Seoighe (Abú Media) and filmmakers who will talk about film production in Donegal and cross-border collaborations.

Wonderful Workshops
All workshops for young people are happening in St. Joseph’s N.S. from 10am – 12pm and will be hosted by a fantastic line up of Northwest creatives. Workshops include Special Effects Makeup and Screen printing on Thursday; Be The Star and Filmmaking on Friday; and Flipbook Animation and Stunt Acting on Saturday. Adults can also take part in a Smartphone Filmmaking Workshop on Saturday 17th at 10am.
Booking opens on 1st February. To see the full brochure and get your tickets to events and workshops, see the website.

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