Latest news with #ColletteFarrell
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Ready to reel at Boyne International Film Festival
Now in its fourth year, the festival is co-curated by local filmmaker Frank W. Kelly and Droichead Arts Centre Director Collette Farrell, and supported by LOVE Drogheda BIDS. This year's programme continues the festival's mission to champion Irish film, with a particular spotlight on local filmmakers and stories made in and around the Boyne Valley. The 2025 festival will feature a packed weekend of Irish and international short films, documentaries, animations, filmmaker workshops, panel discussions, and awards. With season tickets priced at just €35, audiences will have access to all shorts screening programmes throughout the weekend. A standout event this year is the Gala Screening of Four Mothers, the latest feature from Drogheda's own Darren Thornton, co-written with his brother Colin. The screening, taking place on Saturday 9 August, will be followed by a Q&A hosted by broadcaster Sinéad Brassil. The film tells the story of a novelist grappling with family and fame across a chaotic weekend and has already won critical acclaim. Local filmmaking takes centre stage at the Made in the Boyne Valley opening night screening, featuring projects such as Medicinal by Eoghan Timothy Hand and starring Peter Coonan, as well as works from directors based in Louth and Meath. Festival Co-Director Collette Farrell said: 'The Boyne Valley region is rich in history, creativity, and community. This festival allows us to bring that spirit to the screen while supporting Irish talent at all stages of their careers.' Workshops throughout the weekend offer valuable insight for emerging creatives, including sessions led by Dundalk-born casting director Luci Lenox, Droichead Artist in Residence Baz Black (Kin), and actress Orla Fitzgerald. A panel on casting will also feature industry leaders Louise Kiely, Barry Coyle, and Mary-Ellen O'Hara. This year's Filmmaker in Focus is TJ O'Grady-Peyton, with six of his short films screening, including Room Taken, which was recently shortlisted for an Oscar and executive produced by Colin Farrell. BVIFF 2025 is also proud to announce two new patrons: acclaimed actress Helen Behan from Laytown, and award-winning casting director Louise Kiely. Both have supported the festival since its early days and now formally join the team. The festival is made possible through support from The Arts Council, Louth County Council Festival Fund, Meath County Council, and local sponsors including The Clinch Family, Boann Distillery, Anglo Printers, and The Marcy. 'We're incredibly proud to bring this festival back to Drogheda, and to showcase the depth of talent we have in Louth, Meath, and across the country,' said Frank W. Kelly. With a combination of screenings, networking, and education, BVIFF offers both audiences and aspiring filmmakers a unique cultural experience in the heart of the Boyne Valley. Tickets and the full festival programme are available at
Irish Independent
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Final call for submissions made to celebrate filmmakers at the Boyne Valley International Film Festival
The festival creates an environment for filmmakers and audiences to connect and celebrate film in the historical medieval town of Drogheda. It is curated by Frank W. Kelly and Collette Farrell, produced by Droichead Arts Centre in partnership with LOVE Drogheda BIDS. Screenwriters are invited to pitch a short film idea before July, 4 to be shortlisted by a panel of filmmakers including Clare Monnelly from 'Fréwaka', Naomi Sheridan from 'In America' and Peter McKenna from 'Kin'. The four shortlisted filmmakers will be awarded a bursary of €500, and each will be invited to present their short film idea to the panel during the festival. One lucky filmmaker will be chosen and awarded a further bursary of €2,500 to write the script. There will be awards given for the following categories: Best Short Film Made in the Boyne Valley; Best Irish Narrative Short Film; Best International Narrative Short Film; Best Animated Short Film; and Best Documentary Short Film. Boyne Valley International Film Festival also announced that the 2025 Filmmaker in Focus is award-winning filmmaker and commercial director, TJ O'Grady-Peyton. He first gained recognition at the Young Director Awards at Cannes and has directed international campaigns for Guinness, Under Armour, UEFA, BMW, the European Union and the Premier League. His short film 'Wave' won an Irish Film and Television Award and was featured in The New Yorker and by Disney after premiering at Tribeca. His latest short, 'Room Taken' - funded by Screen Ireland and executive produced by Colin Farrell - has won 45 awards and was shortlisted among the final 15 for the 2025 Academy Awards. A member of the Directors Guild of America, TJ was also selected for a Werner Herzog masterclass and Les Nuits en Or, a UNESCO and French Academy of Film-backed showcase of standout short films.
