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Newry declares film affair

Not content with breeding some of the most exciting filmmaking talent Newry will now recognise its love of film with the inaugural Newry Film Festival launched at Newry Arts Centre on Thursday evening. The festival which will take place from Tuesday August 21 to Sunday August 26 will bring the best of classic, contemporary and up and coming film talent to the city. Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council Charlie Casey was on hand to launch the event, the first of what organisers plan will be an annual highlight in any film fan’s calendar. The outgoing mayor commended the organisers for the innovation and diverse range of venues and the partnership with Newry City Centre Management committee and the main sponsors The Quays for the “community-led” festival. ” I was also delighted tot learn our local world famous actress Susan Lynch a member of the famous Newry and Mourne Lynch family who have always been tremendous ambassadors area will officially open the festival,” the mayor said. “It always gives me great pleasure when people from our district who have done so well agree to return to their local area to help to promote local events and put something back to their city or town.” Opening with a boutique public screening of Steven Spielberg’s classic in Newry’s historic market on Hill Street on Tuesday August 21, Newry Film Festival will be packed with masterpieces such as Casablanca and Disney’s Lady and The Tramp while celebrating challenging independent cinema with screenings including Martha Marcy May Marlene and Another Earth. The district’s large Polish Community is also being recognised with In Darkness from the country’s own fine film industry while the Irish film industry is explored in the documentary Muide Eire. Events will take place over the six day festival programme in Newry Market, Newry Arts Centre and Bagenal’s Castle. Newry Film Festival also aims to champion local and up and coming talent and one of the city’s beloved home-grown acting stars Susan Lynch will return to open the festival officially with a screening of one of her own brilliant shorts. Newry Film Festival’s own Short Film Competition will showcase the greatest in ambitious filmmaking with the finalists screened and the winner announced during the programme. The closing dates for the submissions for the competition is June 29 so there is still time for filmmakers to enter. Workshops delving into the magic behind the scenes will also offer young people an insight into a career in film. Chair person of Newry Film Festival Committee Aidan Lennon said: “Newry has a close relationship with the film industry and we are delighted to invite back Susan Lynch, one of our greatest exports. Our carefully ed programme offers something for people of all ages from families to film fanatics and we are very excited about the first festival for Newry. We are indebted to our partners Newry and Mourne District Council, Newry City Centre Management, The Quays Shopping and Retail Centre, Newry Rotary Club and the people of Newry for their tremendous support during our recent bag pack at  Supervalu Newry for helping to make all this possible.” To find out more log onto www.newryfilmfestival.org.uk

 

Newry Reporter

6th June 2012