Online Irish Film Festival Keeps Us Connected
March 14, 2020
Press Release
Friday 13th March, 2020: Irish Film London has devised a creative response to the St Patrick’s Film Festival being cancelled, due to concerns around the Coronavirus. IFL’s novel idea will ensure its followers can stay connected via an online film experience.
Having postponed their Regent Street Cinema screenings, which were to take place from 13th – 15th March, IFL is now working to host an online short film festival instead, starting at noon on Sunday 15th March and running until midnight on St Patrick’s Day itself.
Wonderful Irish Shorts
Festival Director, Kelly O’Connor, appealed to contributing directors, patrons and other supporters and has created a range of wonderful Irish shorts that can be screened absolutely free to anyone who can get online via their phone, laptop or tablet.
Although the team at Irish Film London advocate that film is best viewed on a big screen, in the dark and sharing the spectator experience live in a cinema, under the circumstances, felt this alternative would avoid disappointing those who were looking forward to consuming some fine Irish films this weekend.
Comedy, drama, animation and documentary
The line-up includes films such as The Butterfly Love Story, The Blocks and the classic Give Up Yer Aul Sins: The Story of St. Patrick, as well as a few special treats along the way. ‘Attendees’ can enjoy comedy, drama, animation and documentary shorts, which demonstrate the vibrancy of Irish screen production. Whatever your interests in Irish film, you’re sure to find something in the online festival that appeals to you.
The festival will take place online at www.irishfilmfestivallondon.com/spd-london
You can register now to ‘attend’ the festival by emailing online@irishfilmfestivallondon.com to instantly obtain a password, which will then be valid during the official festival period.
The Irish Film London have also invited ‘attendees’ to join them on their social media platforms during the festival period, for discussions and live chat about the films and filmmakers using #SPDFFLondon.
IFL Chair, Lance Pettitt, said: “Obviously, we are very disappointed to have to pull our annual St. Patrick’s Film Festival, but our ever-resourceful Kelly O’Connor has come up with a cracking idea.
"We hope to run a traditional, cinema based-festival later this summer, and of course, we will return in November 2020 for our 10th Irish Film Festival London (IFFL), including our annual Irish Film London Awards, to celebrate our 10th anniversary in style."
IFL will also be sharing a new 10th Anniversary video at the festival, with messages from some very special guests, including new patrons.
The St. Patrick’s Film Festival London is a part of the Mayor of London St Patrick Festival, which includes the annual parade and Trafalgar Square festivities. It is run, in part, with support from City Hall, and from a number of other key funders and sponsors. IFL would like to thank each of these partners for their support.
Would you like to support the next generation of Irish filmmakers and actors?
Why not partner with IFL for their November 2020 Festival and beyond. Get in touch with the team to find out more about the available corporate partnership packages, or Festival Champions scheme. Or, you can simply make a donation to help to develop the Festival in its birthday year.
Follow online via:
#StPatsDayLDN
#SPDFFLondon
Facebook: facebook.com/IrishFilmFestivalLondon
Twitter: twitter.com/irishfilmlondon
Instagram: instagram.com/irishfilmlondon
Festival link: www.irishfilmfestivallondon.com/spd-london