London-based non-profit organisation Irish Film London has announced the full programme of its 2021 St Brigid’s Day events (31 January-3 February), delivered in association with the Embassy of Ireland Great Britain and a cohort of Irish cultural organisations. In detail, this year’s initiative will promote the creativity of Irish women in film and offer online audiences the chance to revisit recent female-fronted Irish features and shorts, along with two new podcast releases and two exclusive talks with some of the filmmakers involved.

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After their St Patrick’s Day Film Festival in March 2020 was diverted online at short notice, owing to the UK’s sudden lockdown, the team have continued to plan and deliver digital film screenings, courses and a range of other activities for audiences to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.

The series of events open on 31 January with a conversation with Lucy Kennedy, one of the directors of The 8 [+lire aussi :
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interview : Sacha Polak
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interview : Cathy Brady
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making of
fiche film] by Lenny Abrahamson, who will also join an exclusive conversation about his film on 1 February (tickets are available here). On 2 February, Irish Film London will launch two new podcasts; one featuring recordings of a previous festival event with Roisin Conaty and Bridget Christie, and the other will be an interview with all-female production outfit Alfonso Films. The podcasts will be freely available here. The initiative will be rounded off by a music event by Lewis Barfoot, set to be livestreamed on Facebook on the same day at 5 pm.

Speaking about this year’s programme, Head of Irish Film London Gerry Maguire told Cineuropa: “With COVID-19 still a threat to public events, we’re continuing to focus on what’s possible online through our great Irish Film From Home platform, offering a unique Irish film experience, and our podcast providing that extra dimension. But I’m proud to say my first events for Irish Film London will also include features and conversations which draw attention to contemporary womxn’s rights issues.”

Irish Film London is a not-for-profit organisation which champions Irish film, TV and animation across the UK. The body’s activities are supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland through the Emigrant Support Programme and the COVID-19 Response Fund, Culture Ireland, Screen Ireland, the Irish Film Institute, Tourism Ireland and Elemental Media.

Features will be available in Ireland and the UK, while shorts and other events will be accessible worldwide. Browse the full programme of the initiative here.