Cork International Film Festival opens with Saipan premiere

The 70th Cork International Film Festival has officially begun, opening with the Irish premiere of Saipan.

Lead actor Éanna Hardwicke was in attendance along with filmmakers Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn.

“Saipan having its Irish premiere in Cork feels a full circle moment for many reasons," said Hardwicke.

"My relationship with the Cork Film Festival stretches back. My grandfather Paddy McCarthy was a member of Cork Film Club, back when the Festival was conceived."

“Watching the 2002 World Cup in Cork with my family is one of my earliest memories," he continued.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be making a film about this iconic event - one that in its own strange way came to say so much about Ireland at the millennium - and showcasing it in my home city. It is a tremendous honour."

The film covers the incident between Irish national football team captain Roy Keane and his manager Mick McCarthy, where Keane forfeited his place on the team on the eve of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, after the two got into a heated disagreement.

Read Hot Press' review of the film here.

The Cork Film Festival will also host the Irish premiere screenings of two Richard Linklater features, Blue Moon, starring Ethan Hawke and Andrew Scott, and Nouvelle Vague.

Additionally, the festival will see Irish premiere of Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier and starring Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning.

The Best New Irish Feature Award, which showcases acclaimed Irish filmmakers and films, will be awarded during the festival.

This years films include Saipan, Blue Moon, Celtic Utopia, Gealtra and My Father’s Shadow.

The event will continue until Sunday, November 16.

Tickets are on sale now and can be found here.