The Embassy of Ireland in Singapore is proud to present the first-ever Irish Film Festival in Singapore from 16 – 31 October.
Whether you’re a film buff or simply curious to know more about the Irish culture, get ready to broaden your horizons with some of the finest films to have come out of the Emerald Isle. The thoughtfully curated selection of films comprises classics and new releases that have been recognised and appreciated worldwide.
Float like a Butterfly *Meeting the Director Carmel Winters*
20 October at 1:30 pm | Introduction and Q&A with the film’s Director, Carmel Winters | Tickets $15
From the producers of Once and Sing Street, Float like a butterfly is a powerful and timely story of a girl’s fight for freedom and belonging. Raised in roadside camps in rural Ireland, Frances wants to champion her people inside the boxing ring and out, like her idol Muhammad Ali. But society is determined to break her spirit and destroy her way of life. And her father, once her greatest ally, is too defeated himself to imagine any better for his daughter. But Frances was not born to be broken. In the mother of all fights, she must dig deep to find in herself the Champion her father once knew her to be.
Genre: Drama | Year: 2018 | Country: Ireland | Runtime: 101 mins | Rating: PG13 (Some coarse language) | Director: Carmel Winters
Awards
– Best Feature Film Script, Zebbies, 2018
– Audience Award for Best Film, Cork International Film Festival, 2018
– FIPRESCI Discovery Prize, Toronto International Film Festival, 2018
Song of the Sea
18 October at 5 pm | Introduction to film by Chris Shaw, Head, School, Puttnam School of Film & Animation | Special Student Screening at La Salle. Registration via Eventbrite | Free Admission – Registration required
19 October at 2 pm | Introduction to the film by Hans-Martin Rall, Associate Professor, NTU School of Art, Design and Media | Tickets $15
Academy award-nominated Song of the Sea tells the story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse – the last Seal- child – who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land.
Genre: Animation | Year: 2014 | Country: Ireland | Runtime: 94 minutes | Rating: PG | Director: Tomm Moore
Awards
– Nominee – Academy Awards 2015. Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
– Nominee – Anima Mundi Animation Festival 2015. Best Animated Feature
– Winner – European Film Awards 2015. European Animated Feature Film
– Winner – Grand Prize. Tokyo Anime Awards 2015. Featured Film Category
18 October at 5 pm | Special Student Screening at La Salle
19 October at 2 pm
Once
18 October at 7:20 pm | Introduction to Film by Professor Michael Walsh, Chair, NTU School of Art, Design and Media | tickets $ 15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWJIylZ8VyM
Shot in Dublin in just 16 days, John Carney’s Academy-Award winning classic tells a charming, captivating tale of love and music.
It features eight songs by Glen Hansard – of Irish band The Frames – who also stars in the film. The use of actual musicians over professional actors, real locations, and a free-form camera and editing style, lends a refreshing element of realism to the musical genre.
Genre: Drama, Musical | Year: 2006 | Country: Ireland | Runtime: 86 minutes | Rating: NC16 (Coarse language) | Director: John Carney
Awards
– Winner – Academy Awards, Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song 2008
– Winner – Critics Choice Awards, Best Song 2008
– Winner – Independent Spirit Award 2008
– Winner – Sundance Film Festival, Audience Award 2007
The Crying Game
* Skype Q&A with award-winning Executive Producer, Nik Powell*
19 October at 4:30 pm | Introduction to film by Ben Slater, Senior Lecturer, NTU School of Art, Design and Media | Tickets $15
Set during Northern Ireland’s Troubles, Neil Jordan’s unpredictable, unconventional, multi-Oscar-nominated masterpiece explores political violence, loyalty, race and gender in Northern Ireland. Starring Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson and Forest Whitaker.
*Screened in DCP format for the first time
Genre: Crime, Drama | Year: 1992 | Country: Ireland | Runtime: 112 minutes | Rating: R21 (Coarse language and mature theme) | Director: George Moore
Awards
– Best Original Screenplay Award at the 65th Academy Awards 1992.
– Best Film Award at the 46th BAFTA Film Awards 1993.
– Best Achievement Award at the 6th European Film Awards 1993.
The Camino Voyage
20 October at 3:30 pm | Introduction to the film by Mardhiah Osman, Lecturer in Film, La Salle College of Arts | $15
An Epic 2,500 km Modern Day Celtic Odyssey.
A crew including a writer, two musicians, an artist and a stonemason embark on the Camino by sea, in a traditional boat that they built themselves on an inspiring, and dangerous, 2,500 km modern-day Celtic odyssey all the way from Ireland to Northern Spain.
Genre: Documentary | Year: 2017 | Country: Ireland | Runtime: 95 minutes | Rating: PG13 (Some coarse language) | Director: Dónal Ó Céilleachair
Hole in the Ground *Halloween Special*
31 October at 7:30 pm | Introduction to the film by Pat Bourne, Ambassador of Ireland to Singapore | Tickets: $15
Genre: Horror | Year: 2019 | Country: Ireland | Runtime: 90 minutes | Rating: PG13 (Disturbing Scenes) | DirectorLee Cronin
Awards
– Winner – Fant, Bilbao Fantasy Film Festival. Jury Prize 2019
– Nominee – Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival. Best Foreign Feature Film 2019
Join us for a small Samhain-inspired reception ahead of the screening
Did you know that Halloween was born in Ireland?
It all began with the Celts. These people called Samhain the period of transition between late summer and the beginning of the long, cold nights of winter. For many, Samhain meant the return of the dead to the world of the mortals and for that reason, great bonfires were lit to frighten the evil spirits.
According to historical accounts, Samhain continued to occur until about the sixth century. However, in the eighth century Christianity marked November 1st as All Hallows’ Day and the Irish Celts, refusing to give up on their own ritual, began celebrating Samhain as the Day of All Hallows Eve. This day eventually turned out to be the Halloween we know today.
Partners
Projects of this scale do not happen overnight, or by magic, and this Festival could never have come to fruition without us being able to benefit from the wisdom, generosity and patience of a wide range of supporters and partners. We are particularly grateful for the tremendous support received from our festival partners, sponsors and supporters.
