Outstanding programme lined up for 17th OFFline Film Festival
this year's programme is bringing exceptional cinema “right to your doorstep.”
AN OUTSTANDING programme of events is lined up for the 17th OFFline Film Festival.
OFFline is one of Ireland's longest-running regional film festivals and this year's programme features more than 30 events, including feature films, short film competitions, animation events, filmmaker Q&As, workshops and special events.
An excellent brochure has been published outlining the festival's programme and it was officially launched by the festival committee in Craughwell's pub on Castle Street, Birr last week.
Emma Hanley, Festival Director, pointed out that there's a unique kind of magic that fills the room when the lights go down, the chit-chat fades and a story begins to unfold on the big screen. “It's that collective sense of wonder, curiosity and connection that makes bringing to the general public this year's OFFline Film Festival such a pleasure.”
She said this year's programme is bringing exceptional cinema “right to your doorstep.”
The programme includes the core selection of feature films, documentaries and competition shorts alongside exciting new additions, including an experimental shorts programme, an online shorts programme, and a dedicated Animation Day in Tullamore, in partnership with The National Talent Academy for Animation. These all sit beside local favourites like Made in Midlands and Fright Night.
“The schedule is also packed with one-of-a-kind events and opportunities to connect,” the Festival Director continued. “We are delighted to welcome special guest Tony McCarroll for a unique Oasis screening and Q&A in Kinnitty, as well as hosting a screening and discussion for the Oscar-qualifying short Mary is Missing.
“For aspiring and professional filmmakers, we have partnered with Fresh International Film Festival for a 48-hour Youth Filmmaking Challenge, alongside practical industry sessions like the NTA Crew East's Set Etiquette Course and Midlands Filmmaking Panel and Networking Event (with Film Offaly) – all rounded out by our educational screenings and kids workshops.”
Ms Hanley thanked the committee, funders, sponsors, patrons, partners and facilitators, volunteers, and the filmmakers who chose OFFline as a platform for their work. “Most importantly, thank you to our audiences for showing up and supporting independent cinema.”
The presence of Tony McCarroll, Original Oasis drummer and founding member, will add a special something for the screening of the Oasis documentary 'Supersonic', which came out in 2016. The screening will take place at Kinnitty Community Centre on Saturday, October 10 (8pm) with McCarroll staying for a Q&A after the film. McCarroll played drums on the Oasis debut album 'Definitely Maybe'. He departed the world-famous band in April, 1995. Tony will be available to answer questions from the audience, take photographs and sign memorabilia. He has a long standing connection to the area, having lived in Kinnitty, briefly, as a child. He returned to Kinnitty in 2024 for a special event which included the unveiling of a commemorative blue plaque.
The 17th OFFline Film Festival takes place from October 7th to 11th across Birr, Tullamore and Kinnitty. For tickets and full programme, see www.offlinefilmfestival.com
The hardworking committee members are: Cha Cahill (Festival Manager), Andrea Moore (Design Co-ordinator), Christy Keaveny (Content Co-ordinator), Connor Keaveny (Technical Manager), and Caoimhe Glennon (Production Assistant).