LA Irish Film Festival 2012 is underway!
It’s that time of year in Los Angeles, when the long hot summer days transition to shorter hot summer days. It also brings about a convergence of Irish talent into Los Angeles for the Annual Irish Film Festival. 2012 marks the fifth gathering, and it’s building up excitement as each year passes.
The festivities kicked off on Wednesday night with the Festival’s first film, a Q&A session with the director, along with a rousing and high spirited Ceili-style party. The pints were poured and the hors d’oeuvres were elegant (including the mountain of cheese carried by an enthusiastic chap). The red carpet shimmered with dazzling women and dapper gents. The silver screen was alight that night with director Kieron J. Walsh’s film “Jump”.
The film let out, and the party began. Music was provided by Waking Kate, a local Celtic-fusion group featuring the talents of Brian Walsh, Peter Romano, Chris Loken, and Zac Leger, and Ceili dancers from the Celtic Arts Center in North Hollywood. The vivacious and long musical sets provided the upbeat tempo to carry the dancers through the Siege of Ennis, Walls of Limerick, and other dances. Major congrats need to go out for several handful of Festival attendees that kicked off their high heels and jackets and joined in the dancing. For a 5 minute lesson, they did fabulously!
The LA Irish Film Festival continues to show films now through Sunday, with the Short Film program on Monday. This year’s lineup brings in the directing talents of Kirsten Sheridan, Ian Fitzgibbon, Ciaran Foy, Robert J. Flaherty, Terry George, Lelia Doolan, Terry McMahon, and Kieron J. Walsh. For fans of The Wolfe Tones (YES!), a documentary will be showing of their story, to include candid interviews and never-before-seen archive footage.
More information about the event, theaters, tickets, and more exciting info can be found at LAIrishFilm.com.
***Cheers to Lisa for putting together another amazing event!***
