Maedhbh Mc Cullagh, Director of Solas Nua's Capital Irish Film Festival introduced the screening of An Cailín Ciúin on the opening night of the 17th Capital Irish Film Festival, March 2, 2023.
SOLAS NUA CAPITAL IRISH FILM FESTIVAL OPENING EVENT
AN CAILÍN CIÚIN GALA SCREENING
MARCH 2 2023 7 PM
AFI SILVER, SILVER SPRING, MD / WASHINGTON, DC METRO AREA
OSCAR-NOMINATED AN CAILÍN CIÚIN DIRECTOR, COLM BAIRÉAD ATTENDS A GALA SCREENING AT THE OPENING OF THE 17TH ANNUAL SOLA NUA CAPITAL IRISH FILM FESTIVAL.
SOLAS NUA’S CAPITAL IRISH FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS THE LARGEST PROGRAM OF IRISH CINEMA IN NORTH AMERICA.
AMBASSADOR OF IRELAND TO THE UNITED STATES, GERALDINE BYRNE NASON, AND SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDING PATRICK KIELTY, PRASANNA PUWANARAJAH, AND STACEY GREGG.
Last night in the Washington, DC metro area, the 17th Capital Irish Film Festival opened with a gala screening of the Oscar-nominated Irish language film An Cailín Ciúin/ The Quiet Girl, to a sold-out audience of 400 film and festival goers at the art deco AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, Silver Springs, MD in the WASHINGTON DC metro area. The festival was opened by the Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason, and was attended by the film director, Colm Bairéad, as well as other dignitaries, and members of the Irish American business and cultural community. Solas Nua’s Capital Irish Film Festival screening was the final stop on a whirlwind tour of special screenings of the film ahead of its general US theatrical release on March 10 and ahead of the highly anticipated Oscars event on March 12.
The event was attended by guest artists director, Prasanna Puwanarajah, comedian and actor Patrick Kielty, and writer Stacey Gregg as well as other dignitaries, and members of the Irish American business, political and cultural community. The screening was followed by a Q&A moderated by Cóilín Parsons, Associate Professor of English and Director of Global Irish Studies at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Afterward guests enjoyed a drinks and canapés’ reception by acclaimed Irish chef Cathal Armstrong at AFI.
Solas Nua - ‘new light’ in Irish, is a leading multi-disciplinary arts organization that is dedicated exclusively to bringing contemporary Irish arts to Washington, D.C. The Solas Nua film program includes films by Irish and Ireland-based filmmakers, the best of Irish cinematic talent at the annual Capital Irish Film Festival, and online screenings throughout the year through its CIFF@Home program. The annual festival showcases the latest Irish dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films, and animation releases out of Ireland. The festival invites audiences to explore contemporary Irish culture through the medium of cinema and to build mutual understanding, find connections across borders, and offer new perspectives on the world we share.
Solas Nua’s Capital Irish Film Festival presents the most extensive program of Irish cinema in North America. With 16 feature films, experimental and family programming newly integrated into the lineup, the presentation of the second Norman Houston Short Film Award, and two shorts film programs, this bold and diverse festival includes Irish language features, highly-anticipated and critically-acclaimed Irish films, new Irish voices, directorial debuts, and fearless storytelling. The festival also includes the work of 11 women directors and trans filmmakers, 18 guest artists, and a focus on film from Northern Ireland in light of the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast Agreement.
The selections showcase comedy, tragedy, distinctive Irish wit and humor, stories about Irish Gaelic football and hurling, Irish pirate queens, reincarnation, grief, and, through all of it, the epic beauty and majesty of Irish landscapes on the big screen.
Other Festival Highlights include:
LAKELANDS, the debut feature from Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney, was named Best Irish Film at the 2022 Galway Film Fleadh. After an attack on a night out, Cian, a young Gaelic footballer, struggles to come to terms with a career-ending injury. LAKELANDS follows him as he undertakes a search for his own identity in a small town in the Midlands, where Gaelic football is a religion and identity is defined by what you can do on the pitch. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, who will travel from Ireland for the event.
The 2023 Norman Houston Short Film Award and Spotlight on Northern Ireland: On the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement, the festival spotlights five inspirational and moving films from Northern Ireland that reflect the vibrant, dynamic, and diverse contemporary culture of Northern Ireland. CIFF also celebrates the extraordinary legacy of the former director of the Northern Ireland Bureau in the United States, Norman Houston with the announcement of the 2023 Norman Houston Short Film Award winner.
The festival will present this year’s Norman Houston Short Film Award to the winning filmmaker as part of an annual honor for the best new short film created by a filmmaker based in or from Northern Ireland. The Norman Houston Short Film Award is part of the Norman Houston Project - a project initiated by Solas Nua in Washington, DC, dedicated to the memory of Norman Houston, the former Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau (NIB) in the United States. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement, all short filmmakers from or living in Northern Ireland were automatically entered into the running for the Norman Houston Short Film Award. The winner will be announced with the full festival lineup on February 2.
On Friday, March 3rd, the festival will also feature Soilsiú Films' poignant and humorous award-winning documentary YOUNG PLATO, which tells the story of a dynamic Northern Ireland school principal in Ardoyne, North Belfast who uses critical thinking and philosophy to empower his young pupils and to interrupt the intergenerational trauma and violence that has plagued their community for decades. The film will be presented as a double bill with the Norman Houston Award-winning short film and the evening will include opening remarks by the current Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau, Andrew Elliott, in addition to a post-screening Q&A with filmmakers Neasa Ní Chianáin and David Rane.
Other selections include:
PRAY FOR OUR SINNERS, filmmaker and journalist, Sinéad O'Shea’s unflinching award-winning documentary about the courageous men and women who stood up to and resisted the coercive control of the Catholic Church and the injustices being perpetrated on children and women in her community;
AISHA, Frank Berry’s heartfelt social-realist drama about a Nigerian asylum seeker (Letitia Wright, BLACK PANTHER) caught up in the Irish refugee “direct provision” accommodation system, and the security guard (Josh O'Connor, THE CROWN) who befriends her; THE CRY OF GRANUAILE, a blend of road movie, psychodrama, and fantasy that examines a female friendship as two women travel across West Ireland researching Granuaile, the legendary 16th century Pirate Queen;
BALLYWATER, the feature directorial debut of actor Prasanna Puwanarajah, (most recently seen as Martin Bashir in THE CROWN), follows the unlikely friendship between caustic, unrepentant University drop-out Eileen (Seana Kerslake BAD SISTERS) and Shane (NI comedian, Patrick Kielty, in his feature debut), a recent divorcee trying his hand at stand-up comedy to get his life back on track;
GHOSTS OF BAGGOTONIA, Alan Gilsenan’s exquisite monotone film poem inspired by the black and white photographs of Neville Johnson, which looks at the literary and artistic ghosts of the bohemian quarter bordering Dublin’s Baggot Street during the mid-20th century drawing on the writings of the greats of that period including Patrick Kavanagh, Samuel Beckett, John Montague, Paul Durcan, and Thomas Kinsella, amongst others;
HOW TO TELL A SECRET, a groundbreaking hybrid documentary that depicts the challenges and stigma of disclosing HIV/AIDS status in Ireland;
VICKY, Sasha King’s harrowing documentary about Vicky Phelan’s fight to expose one of the worst women’s health scandals in Irish history and to seek justice for all the women affected by it;
NORTH CIRCULAR, Luke McManus’ exquisite and captivating black and white film traveling the length of Dublin’s North Circular Road, a rich musical odyssey exploring the history and sites of this storied street, featuring a rolling cast of celebrated local musicians, characters, and artists.
Last night in the Washington, DC metro area, the 17th Capital Irish Film Festival opened with a gala screening of the Oscar-nominated Irish language film An Cailín Ciúin/ The Quiet Girl, to a sold-out audience of 400 film and festival goers at the art deco AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, Silver Springs, MD in the WASHINGTON DC metro area. The festival was opened by the Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason, and was attended by the film director, Colm Bairéad, as well as other dignitaries, and members of the Irish American business and cultural community. Solas Nua’s Capital Irish Film Festival screening was the final stop on a whirlwind tour of special screenings of the film ahead of its general US theatrical release on March 10 and ahead of the highly anticipated Oscars event on March 12.
The event was attended by guest artists director, Prasanna Puwanarajah, comedian and actor Patrick Kielty, and writer Stacey Gregg as well as other dignitaries, and members of the Irish American business, political and cultural community. The screening was followed by a Q&A moderated by Cóilín Parsons, Associate Professor of English and Director of Global Irish Studies at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Afterward guests enjoyed a drinks and canapés’ reception by acclaimed Irish chef Cathal Armstrong at AFI.
Solas Nua - ‘new light’ in Irish, is a leading multi-disciplinary arts organization that is dedicated exclusively to bringing contemporary Irish arts to Washington, D.C. The Solas Nua film program includes films by Irish and Ireland-based filmmakers, the best of Irish cinematic talent at the annual Capital Irish Film Festival, and online screenings throughout the year through its CIFF@Home program. The annual festival showcases the latest Irish dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films, and animation releases out of Ireland. The festival invites audiences to explore contemporary Irish culture through the medium of cinema and to build mutual understanding, find connections across borders, and offer new perspectives on the world we share.
Solas Nua’s Capital Irish Film Festival presents the most extensive program of Irish cinema in North America. With 16 feature films, experimental and family programming newly integrated into the lineup, the presentation of the second Norman Houston Short Film Award, and two shorts film programs, this bold and diverse festival includes Irish language features, highly-anticipated and critically-acclaimed Irish films, new Irish voices, directorial debuts, and fearless storytelling. The festival also includes the work of 11 women directors and trans filmmakers, 18 guest artists, and a focus on film from Northern Ireland in light of the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast Agreement.
The selections showcase comedy, tragedy, distinctive Irish wit and humor, stories about Irish Gaelic football and hurling, Irish pirate queens, reincarnation, grief, and, through all of it, the epic beauty and majesty of Irish landscapes on the big screen.
Other Festival Highlights include:
LAKELANDS, the debut feature from Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney, was named Best Irish Film at the 2022 Galway Film Fleadh. After an attack on a night out, Cian, a young Gaelic footballer, struggles to come to terms with a career-ending injury. LAKELANDS follows him as he undertakes a search for his own identity in a small town in the Midlands, where Gaelic football is a religion and identity is defined by what you can do on the pitch. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, who will travel from Ireland for the event.
The 2023 Norman Houston Short Film Award and Spotlight on Northern Ireland: On the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement, the festival spotlights five inspirational and moving films from Northern Ireland that reflect the vibrant, dynamic, and diverse contemporary culture of Northern Ireland. CIFF also celebrates the extraordinary legacy of the former director of the Northern Ireland Bureau in the United States, Norman Houston with the announcement of the 2023 Norman Houston Short Film Award winner.
The festival will present this year’s Norman Houston Short Film Award to the winning filmmaker as part of an annual honor for the best new short film created by a filmmaker based in or from Northern Ireland. The Norman Houston Short Film Award is part of the Norman Houston Project - a project initiated by Solas Nua in Washington, DC, dedicated to the memory of Norman Houston, the former Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau (NIB) in the United States. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement, all short filmmakers from or living in Northern Ireland were automatically entered into the running for the Norman Houston Short Film Award. The winner will be announced with the full festival lineup on February 2.
On Friday, March 3rd, the festival will also feature Soilsiú Films' poignant and humorous award-winning documentary YOUNG PLATO, which tells the story of a dynamic Northern Ireland school principal in Ardoyne, North Belfast who uses critical thinking and philosophy to empower his young pupils and to interrupt the intergenerational trauma and violence that has plagued their community for decades. The film will be presented as a double bill with the Norman Houston Award-winning short film and the evening will include opening remarks by the current Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau, Andrew Elliott, in addition to a post-screening Q&A with filmmakers Neasa Ní Chianáin and David Rane.
Other selections include:
PRAY FOR OUR SINNERS, filmmaker and journalist, Sinéad O'Shea’s unflinching award-winning documentary about the courageous men and women who stood up to and resisted the coercive control of the Catholic Church and the injustices being perpetrated on children and women in her community;
AISHA, Frank Berry’s heartfelt social-realist drama about a Nigerian asylum seeker (Letitia Wright, BLACK PANTHER) caught up in the Irish refugee “direct provision” accommodation system, and the security guard (Josh O'Connor, THE CROWN) who befriends her; THE CRY OF GRANUAILE, a blend of road movie, psychodrama, and fantasy that examines a female friendship as two women travel across West Ireland researching Granuaile, the legendary 16th century Pirate Queen;
BALLYWATER, the feature directorial debut of actor Prasanna Puwanarajah, (most recently seen as Martin Bashir in THE CROWN), follows the unlikely friendship between caustic, unrepentant University drop-out Eileen (Seana Kerslake BAD SISTERS) and Shane (NI comedian, Patrick Kielty, in his feature debut), a recent divorcee trying his hand at stand-up comedy to get his life back on track;
GHOSTS OF BAGGOTONIA, Alan Gilsenan’s exquisite monotone film poem inspired by the black and white photographs of Neville Johnson, which looks at the literary and artistic ghosts of the bohemian quarter bordering Dublin’s Baggot Street during the mid-20th century drawing on the writings of the greats of that period including Patrick Kavanagh, Samuel Beckett, John Montague, Paul Durcan, and Thomas Kinsella, amongst others;
HOW TO TELL A SECRET, a groundbreaking hybrid documentary that depicts the challenges and stigma of disclosing HIV/AIDS status in Ireland;
VICKY, Sasha King’s harrowing documentary about Vicky Phelan’s fight to expose one of the worst women’s health scandals in Irish history and to seek justice for all the women affected by it;
NORTH CIRCULAR, Luke McManus’ exquisite and captivating black and white film traveling the length of Dublin’s North Circular Road, a rich musical odyssey exploring the history and sites of this storied street, featuring a rolling cast of celebrated local musicians, characters, and artists.
The Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason, gave opening remarks at the gala screening of An Cailín Ciúin on the opening night of the 17th Capital Irish Film Festival, March 2, 2023.
Pictured from L to R:
Cóilín Parsons, Associate Professor of English and Director of Global Irish Studies at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C; Rex Daugherty, Artistic Director of Theatre, Solas Nua; Maedhbh Mc Cullagh, Director, Capital Irish Film Festival; Colm Bairéad, Director, An Cailín Ciúin; Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason; Miranda Driscoll, Executive Director, Solas Nua; and Dennis Houlihan, Chair of the Board, Solas Nua, at the gala screening of An Cailín Ciúin on the opening night of the 17th Capital Irish Film Festival, March 2, 2023.
Miranda Driscoll, Executive Director, Solas Nua, welcomed guests at the gala screening of An Cailín Ciúin on the opening night of the 17th Capital Irish Film Festival, March 2, 2023.
Director, Colm Bairéad in conversation with Cóilín Parsons, Associate Professor of English and Director of Global Irish Studies at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C at the gala screening of An Cailín Ciúin on the opening night of the 17th Capital Irish Film Festival, March 2, 2023.
Director, Colm Bairead speaking at the gala screening of An Cailín Ciúin on the opening night of the 17th Capital Irish Film Festival, March 2, 2023.
The audience in the historic AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center at the gala screening of An Cailín Ciúin on the opening night of the 17th Capital Irish Film Festival, March 2, 2023.
Maedhbh Mc Cullagh, Director of Solas Nua's Capital Irish Film Festival, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason, and Miranda Driscoll, Executive Director, Solas Nua, pictured at the gala screening of An Cailín Ciúin on the opening night of the 17th Capital Irish Film Festival, March 2, 2023.
The audience of 400 in the historic AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center listen to An Cailín Ciúin director, Colm Bairéad in conversation with Cóilín Parsons, Associate Professor of English and Director of Global Irish Studies at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C at the gala screening of An Cailín Ciúin on the opening night of the 17th Capital Irish Film Festival, March 2, 2023.
