July 16, 2021

It's been too long hasn’t it? But cinemas are well and truly open again and after much tentative exploration, IFL are delighted to be presenting a proper series of screening events to entice our dormant live audiences back to the comfortable embrace of the cinema auditorium. 

With support from BFI Film Audience Network, we’re proud to be bringing a range of feature films and shorts to screens in Central and East London across the month of August as part of a programme we’re calling The Irish for Hope, responding to the thematic prompt of presenting Irish stories imbued with hope for new beginnings, better tomorrows and the goodness that can be found in humanity.

Our selection of films includes stories for all ages, covering animation, narrative and documentary. They are stories which present windows into the lives of Irish women, musicians, teenagers and children; into the experiences of activists, people of colour and the LGBTQ+ community. 

Tickets for these screenings are on sale now. Check out some of the titles below.

Saturday 7th - Wolfwalkers - directors Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart (screening at The Rio cinema, Dalston)

This Oscar-nominated film is an inspirational standard-bearer for hand-drawn animation. The story is also beautifully crafted and offers hope and courage to the young, especially girls, to hold onto their dreams and hope for a better future embracing difference and diversity.

Sunday 8th - Dating Amber - director David Freyne. (scereening at The Rio cinema, Dalston)

In an affecting comedy drama, LGBTQ+ teens, Amber and Eddie, are having a hard time at school from homophobic bullies. They form a secret alliance and agree to date for show to stave off the aggression as they dream of their futures.

Tuesday 17th - Songs For While I’m Away - director Emer Reynolds (screening taking place at Bertha Dochouse, Bloomsbury)

This brand new documentary - screened here as a preview to its main theatrical release - offers a fresh perspective on, and celebrates the life of, legendary Irish rock star, Phil Lynott. The story of a Black working-class Irish lad’s rise to fame against the odds offers hope to the disadvantaged while chronicling the rock and roll lifestyle of a star performer.

Saturday 21st - The 8th - directors Aideen Kane, Maeve O’Boyle, Lucy Kennedy, Together Films.  (screening taking place at The Rio cinema, Dalston)

This powerful female-led documentary charts the coming together of veteran feminist activist, Ailbhe Smythe and self-styled glitter activist, Andrea Horgan, to spearhead a successful campaign to win back Irish women their reproductive rights. 

Sunday 22nd - The Shorts programme (screening taking place at The Rio cinema, Dalston)

This specially curated selection of films reflects our theme by showing a wide range of work from young and emerging filmmakers across all genres from animation to poetic documentary; comedy to drama; English language, to Irish and Brazilian Portuguese. In keeping with the thematic of this screening series, the programme focuses on stories containing some form of transformation, an emergence from a dark or troubled time into a better place, be that environment or peace of mind.

These screenings are part of Film Feels Hopeful, a UK-wide cinema season, supported by the National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network. Explore all films and events at filmfeels.co.uk