IRELAND'S FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT, MARY ROBINSON, RECEIVES STANDING OVATION AND SPEAKS OUT ON THE NEED FOR HOPE AT THE SOLD OUT OPENING NIGHT OF THE CAPITAL IRISH FILM FESTIVAL IN DC
Mrs. Robinson spoke out on the need to respect the science on climate change and talked about how we can make the world a better place even in times of difficulty
Mrs. Robinson and Ambassador Byrne Nason attended the gala screening of the documentary MRS ROBINSON chronicling 50 years of her life and work
WASHINGTON, DC (February 28, 2024) - Solas Nua, Washington, DC’s premier contemporary Irish arts organization, opened the 2025 Capital Irish Film Festival last night with the sold out East Coast premiere of award-winning Irish director Aoife Kelleher’s (ONE MILLION DUBLINERS) MRS ROBINSON. Tracking the tectonic shifts in personal, political, and social values over a period of 50 years, the film tells the cinematic story of former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson’s epic battles for equality: in the courts, at the ballot box, and on the streets — and now her biggest fight to date: global climate change and her work with Project Dandelion, the women-led global campaign for climate justice.
The festival, presented in partnership with the American Film Institute’s AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, MD, kicks-off four days of screenings and special events, talkbacks, artist meet and greets, Q&As and gala receptions. CIFF is one of the largest programs of Irish cinema in North America, showcasing the latest Irish dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films, and animation releases by Irish and Ireland-based filmmakers. The four day annual festival provides a US platform that promotes the work of independent filmmakers working in Ireland and beyond, amplifies emerging voices on Irish screen, showcases the exceptional talent and skills in Irish filmmaking, and reflects the robust and thriving screen industry in Ireland.
The lineup includes 16 feature films (1 U.S., 2 North American, and 10 Regional Premieres); three shorts programs (23 short films across all programming); the Norman Houston Short Film Award winner; three gala screening events; introductions, meet n’ greets and in-person Q&As with filmmakers; and special events with dignitaries.
The screening was attended by Mrs. Robinson and Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason, who made opening remarks and shared, “It is a testament to Irish film both at home and in the diaspora that our stories continue to resonate so deeply with audiences around the world. They remind us of where we come from, who we are, and where we are going….That is why the Embassy is delighted to support this festival year after year.”
Guests were welcomed by Abbie Algar of AFI and Executive Director Andrew Dolan who spoke about Solas Nua’s upcoming twentieth anniversary year of celebration. Festival Director, Maedhbh Mc Cullagh, introduced the festival program and highlights from this year’s lineup. She added, "we are so honored and grateful to present Aoife Kelleher’s important film and to have Mrs. Robinson, Ireland’s first ever woman president, joining us here in DC, especially at this moment in time. Her ongoing fight for human rights, climate justice, and gender parity and her relentless commitment to the protection, care, and dignity of all humankind and our planet is not only noble but the inspiration we need right now.”
After the screening, guests enjoyed an in-person conversation with Mary Robinson and author Caitríona Palmer on stage. Mrs. Robinson spoke about the moment we find ourselves in, saying that we have too many wars and a lack of attention on the increasing humanitarian suffering that is going on in our world as a result of the cuts in aid, in the US and in Europe. Ultimately she said that we need to keep faith that things will change, to stay connected at the global level and she hopes to encourage people, especially younger people, and particularly younger women, to engage locally and organize and reap the benefits of solidarity, spirituality, and working together collectively.
Speaking on the climate crisis and her work with Project Dandelion, the WOMEN-LED global campaign for CLIMATE JUSTICE, she talked about the challenges we are facing, not only in the prolonged use of fossil fuels over renewable energy, but the misrepresentation of facts about climate change, “we need to connect more, all of us that are on the right side of knowing that we have to respect the science on climate and nature, and the science is becoming very serious because of global warming, because of fossil fuel and loss of biodiversity, we are not in harmony at the moment and we need to get back into a better situation.” She invited the audience to become in the words of the late Archbishop Tutu, “prisoners of hope,” saying, “we go forward, we do what we can, and we keep talking about this world that we are on the cusp of-that’s important. And we need the power of numbers to persuade politicians to have the courage to make the right decision and to stay on course.” When asked what she hoped people would take away from the film she said, “What I am hoping from the film is that people would feel that I want to be part of something bigger than me, I want to engage. I want to make a difference and try in whatever way to work with others and see if we can make the world a better place even in times of difficulty, especially in times of difficulty.” At the close of the Q&A she received a standing ovation. Afterward, all ticket and pass holders were invited to a reception in the AFI lobby, sponsored by the Embassy of Ireland.
Further information on the film MRS ROBINSON can be found here.
