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Sharp Focus – 20th Anniversary Screening: Celebrating Two Decades of Cinematic Excellence with NI Screen’s Digital Film Archive

Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive and The Irish Film Institute (IFI) hosted a celebration of cross community filmmaking. “Sharp Focus – 20th Anniversary Screening,” showcased a selection of remarkable short films produced by the Calipo Theatre & Picture Company between 2003 and 2013.

The films, written and directed by established filmmakers, were created in collaboration with various community and youth groups in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties providing young talents with a platform for their film debuts.

Supported by the EU Peace and Reconciliation Programme, these films have been acquired and preserved by the IFI Irish Film Archive, with additional support from the Government of Ireland’s Shared Island Initiative and the Department of the Taoiseach.

The films on screen at the Strand Cinema on 12^th December included:

• ALL 4 Love – Directed by Darren Thornton, Written by Colin Thornton – Devised by High Voltage Project, Cox’s Demesne, Dundalk
• Bounce – Directed by Barry Dignum, Written by Kate Perry – Devised by Bosco Drama Group
• Away Home – Directed by Neasa Hardiman, Written by Mark O’Halloran – Devised by Shankill Women’s Centre
• Melter – Directed by JJ Harrington, Written by Malcolm Campbell – Devised by Falls Women’s Centre
• Sticks and Stones – Directed by JJ Harrington, Written by Audrey O’Reilly – Devised by Ardoyne/Shankill Health Partnership

All films were produced by Darren Thornton and Collette Farrell for the Calipo Picture Company. A panel discussion followed with participants Darren Thornton, JJ Harrington, Malcolm Campbell, moderated by Evan Marshall.

Additional attendees include actors from all five projects, members of Falls and Shankill Women’s Centres, and the Bosco Drama Group in Newry.

The films, now preserved by the IFI Irish Film Archive, may be made publicly available in the future.