Capital Irish Film Festival

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The 17th Annual Capital Irish Film Festival program takes place this week at AFI Silver.  The line-up represents the largest program of Irish Cinema in North America, and includes 16 features, 9 U.S. and Regional premieres,13 short films, featuring 11 women directors, the newly-introduced family program, artist screening introductions, in person Q&As with filmmakers with a whopping 18 visiting filmmakers and the presentation of the second Norman Houston Short Film Award, and more.

New festival director, Maedhbh McCullagh from Ireland adds, "I'm delighted to put together this special selection of film choices for members of the GAA Gaels club.  There is a story for everyone but I'm especially delighted to tell the Gaels about our closing night event, the screening of the award-winning feature LAKELANDS, an absolutely exquisite story of a young GAA all-star in Longford, who questions his whole identity after an incident on a night out threatens his ability to continue playing on the local team." The screening will be followed by an in-person Q&A with the filmmakers.

Read on for recommendations made especially for Gaels members.

DOCUMENTARY / MUSIC

NOTHING COMPARES | Thurs, March 2, 9:45 p.m. + Sat, March 4, 9:15 p.m.

Kathryn Ferguson's Sundance-premiered directorial debut is a powerful exploration of singer-songwriter Sinead O'Connor's iconoclastic career and her enduring cultural impact.Winner, Best Feature Documentary and Best Debut Director (Documentary), 2022 British Independent Film Awards; Winner, Best Irish Feature Documentary, 2022 Galway Film Fleadh; Winner, Audience Award, 2022 Belfast Film Festival

DRAMA / COMEDY

BALLYWATER | Fri, March 3, 4:45 p.m.

The feature directorial debut of actor Prasanna Puwanarajah, (most recently seen as Martin Bashir in THE CROWN), following 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 in Belfast to get his life back on track.

 In-person Q&A with director Prasanna Puwanarajah, lead actor Patrick Kielty and writer Stacey Gregg afterwards.

COMEDY + IRISH LANGAUGE

RÓISE AND FRANK | Sat, March 4, 7:15 p.m.

In this delightful tale of grief, reincarnation and reconnection, Bríd Ní Neachtain (THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, SONG OF GRANITE) stars as the recently widowed Róise, who comes to believe that a local stray dog embodies the spirit of her late husband Frank. Winner, Best Comedy Feature, 2022 San Diego International Film Festival; Winner, Audience Choice Award, 2022 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

KIDS + ANIMATION

Family Program | Sun, March 5, 12:45 p.m.

Newly added program for kids includes a screening of the coming-of-age fable TINA TIMES TWO about a lonely girl whose wish comes true when she gains a magical friend: an exact double of herself and THE GHASTLY GHOUL a CG-animated adventure about a little monster from Halloween Town who gets stranded in the human world after Halloween night trick-or-treating has ended!

DRAMA

THE SPARROW | Sun. March 5, 4:30 p.m.

Winner of the Best Irish First Feature award at the 2022 Galway Film Fleadh, Michael Kinirons' powerful feature debut is a coming-of-age tale about guilt and grief set in a remote fishing village in West Cork. Starring David O'Hara (BRAVEHEART, THE DEPARTED)  and breakout newcomer Ollie West. Winner, Audience Award, 2022 Valladolid International Film Festival; Winner, Best Irish First Feature, 2022 Galway Film Fleadh.

 In-person Q&A with director Michael Kinirons and producer Alicia Ní Ghráinne.

MUSIC

NORTH CIRCULAR | Sun, March 5, 5:15 p.m.

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. With performances from artists local to the North Circular, including Johnny Flynn, Séan Ó Túama, Lisa O'Neill, Ian Lynch and Gemma Dunleavy. Winner, Special Mention, Best Documentary, 2022 Dublin International Film Festival.

 In-person introduction by the Director, Luke McManus followed by a meet and greet in the AFI Silver Café.

DRAMA + SPORT

LAKELANDS | Sun. March 5, 7:00 p.m.

The debut feature from Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney, 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. Join us for a toast at McGinty's with all the festival filmmakers after the Q&A.

 In-person Q&A with co-director Patrick McGivney and Producer Chris Higgins.

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