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Foyle Film Festival Highlights

Foyle Film Festival Highlights

On Saturday 17 November, special guest Edwin Thomas presented his latest film The Happy Prince to a packed screening at Brunswick Moviebowl. Edwin engaged in a post-screening Q&A and discussed how he prepared for his role as Robbie Ross.

Ed Moloney travelled from America to attend the festival and present the powerful and disturbing documentary I, Dolours, which is constructed around his interviews with the late IRA member Dolours Price. Susan McKay facilitated the post-screening discussion.

No Stone Unturned, the documentary exploring police collusion in the aftermath of the Loughinisland massacre, was screened. Journalist Barry McCaffrey and producer Trevor Birney both attended the screening and participated in a discussion with Susan McKay, offering insight into the aftermath of the documentary's release.

Children and young people enjoyed a screening of Smallfoot at Brunswick Moviebowl at the launch of our Education Programme, which runs until November 30.

The Shorts to Features Conference was a highlight of the programme, offering the perfect opportunity for budding filmmakers to pick up practical tips and network with some of the leading figures in contemporary cinema. This year's special guests included Mat Whitecross, James Flynn and Maeve Murphy who offered their insights into the industry.

Santa surprised everyone at the screening of The Snowman and stayed to read Grandpa Christmas.

The Light in Motion Competition programme screened over 50 shorts and animations from across the globe, highlighting all that is best and most innovative in contemporary cinema. Filmmakers travelled from far and wide to join the festival, including Rory Gleeson who presented Psychic, a short which he wrote and which was directed by Brendan Gleeson.

Young filmmakers from across Northern Ireland gathered in Brunswick Moviebowl on Wednesday 21 November for the annual Foyle Film Festival Moving Image Arts Showcase, in association with CCEA. Since 2003 the awards have given a platform to the inspiring work produced by students undertaking the Moving Image Arts subject.

Disney® returned to the Foyle Film Festival this year with a sold-out special preview screening of Ralph Breaks The Internet, a sequel to the hugely popular Wreck It Ralph.

The festival was delighted to run a series of practical workshops, lectures and screenings of local animation as part of the Anim18 programme. Highlights included a lecture on The History of Animation in Northern Ireland by Steve Woods, and hands on workshops with acclaimed animators John McCloskey, Deirdre Gribbin and Joely Simon.

The festival drew to a close on Sunday 25 November and the Light in Motion 2018 winners were announced at the Closing Gala Screening of The Kindergarten Teacher.

Foyle Film Festival is funded by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen, Derry City and Strabane District Council and Tourism Northern Ireland. Venue partner is Brunswick Moviebowl.