Cork International Film Festival confirms fully digital programme for 2020

Cork International Film Festival (CIFF) has confirmed a full programme of 50 features and documentaries, 14 programmes of shorts and special events, for its fully digitally festival, running from November 8 to 15.

“While we are disappointed at not being able to present films in a cinema environment, one of the exciting aspects of the reimagined Cork International Film Festival this year is the opportunity to reach audiences nationwide through our new Digital Festival platform, CIFF@Home," said Fiona Clark, Festival Director and CEO. "90% of the programme launched on 14th October remains the same and will simply move to online screening, enabling audiences nationwide to watch Irish premieres and to participate in Q&As with filmmakers online, from the comfort of their homes.”

In an imaginative response to the changing environment, the Festival will celebrate its 65th year as Ireland’s first and largest film festival, with an impressive line-up of four world premieres of Irish films, and a special 1920 Commemoration screening of Irish Destiny, together with a full programme of international features and documentaries and shorts, introduced by their directors.

Launching the Digital Festival on Sunday, November 8, at 7.30pm, is the 65th Anniversary Gala with new Irish feature The Racer – a sport-drama which will transport audiences instantly back in time to the Tour de France as it passed through Ireland, including Cork in 1998.

The digital programme features stars like Willem Defoe in Siberia, Viggo Mortensen in Falling and Paul Mescal in Drifting. In addition, four world premieres of Irish work include Irish Gala feature The Bright Side, Documentary Gala Castro’s Spies, debut feature The Edge of Chaos, and documentary Home is a Sacrifice Zone.

International features by the likes of Philippe Garrel (The Salt of Tears), Ai Weiwei (Vivos) and veteran documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman (City Hall), are joined by strong female voices including Zeina Durra (Luxor), Talya Lavie (Honeymood), Jane Magnusson (Maddy the Model) and Caru Alves de Souza (My Name is Baghdad). Irish talent is further celebrated with contemporary features Wildfire and The Castle, alongside timely documentaries, The 8th and The Sheriff.

Films will have a 30 hour ‘watch window’, and there are a limited number of tickets per film, so early booking is recommended. An ‘all access’ pass to the whole programme is also available.

For more, see corkfilmfest.org