The Boyne Valley International Film Festival returns to Drogheda from 7th to 9th August, celebrating its fifth anniversary with a packed programme of screenings, workshops and filmmaker events.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Boyne Valley, the Boyne Valley International Film Festival (BVIFF) returns from the 7-9 August for its fifth year in partnership with LOVE Drogheda BIDS. Showcasing a wonderful array of films both local, national and international films, the festival creates an environment for filmmakers and audiences to connect and celebrate film in the historical medieval town of Drogheda, located in the heart of the Boyne Valley Region.
Curated by acclaimed filmmaker and Boyne Valley native Frank W. Kelly, and Director of Droichead Arts Centre Collette Farrell, the festival features a programme of screenings, workshops and events, as well as showcasing work developed as part of their filmmaker funding programmes.
Irish talent on screen include Moe Dunford, Toni O’Rourke and Eileen Walsh in The Things We Do, Stephen Rea and Aaron Monaghan in Puttnam Award Winning short Éist by Roisin Kearney, with international talent including Tom Holland and Lindsey Duncan in Harry Holland’s Last Call and Hugh Dennis and Simon Lowe in Mantle.
BVIFF is also delighted to welcome trailblazing filmmaker Shane Meadows to Drogheda for a gala screening of his seminal film This is England, marking its 20th anniversary. The screening will be followed by an exclusive In Conversation event hosted by acclaimed Irish actor (and patron of BVIFF) Helen Behan, who starred in This is England 88 and 90 and The Virtues. Meadows will also be participating in a filmmakers masterclass and a panel discussion on Working Class Voices in film along with Hilda Fay, Thomas Kane Byrne and Aisling O’Mara.
BVIFF is delighted to partner with the National Animation Academy on a new animation showcase including a series of animated shorts, as well as an Industry Panel and workshop facilitated by Fran Bravo from Cartoon Saloon on Character Design. The festival will also feature an advance preview of some of Barry O’Donoghue’s Little Caribou with a discussion with the filmmaker.
Supporting filmmakers through bursaries and showcases is an important part of the festival, and this year the Filmmaker in Focus session will showcase a selection of films by Aisling Connolly Byrne including award winning shorts Headspace and Mary is Missing, followed by a public interview with Aisling. The Shane Meadows Short Film Bursary will be announced at the Festival, judged by Colin Thornton, Aoibhéann McCann and Helen Behan.
In association with Bow Street Academy, BVIFF will host a number of workshops for filmmakers. IFTA nominated director Laura O’Shea will host a workshop on The Dos and Don’ts of Making a Short Film, and screenwriter Jonathan Hughes will explore how to Write a Script That Gets Noticed.
Speaking about the festival, Frank W. Kelly and Collette Farrell said: “We’re delighted to celebrate our 5th anniversary this year, it’s a chance to look back and see how far we’ve come. We started in 2022 as a small day and half curated event. We’ve since grown to a three day event; we’ve added multiple strands including the Sluagh Horror Film Festival and the Jump Cuts Youth Film Festival, this year we’ll add a full Animation Day with the support of the National talent Academy. 2024 was a big moment for us when we hosted the Irish Premiere of Ethan Hawke’s Wildcat. Last year we welcomed our Patrons Louise Kiely and Helen Behan, who have both been instrumental to the festival. And this year we are thrilled to welcome our special guest, acclaimed director Shane Meadows. But for us the most important part remains the same as it was on day one, the films and the filmmakers. Presenting great films and celebrating the talented filmmakers and storytellers who made them.”
Funded by The Arts Council, Louth County Council Festival Fund, Love Drogheda BIDS, Meath County Council and The National Talent Academy for Animation. With sponsorship from Tom Clinch and Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, KMN Ltd, Scotch Hall, and support from Boann Distillery, Anglo Printers, Scholars and The Marcy Hotel.
For more information see https://www.droichead.com
