New documentary day to take place at the 61st Cork Film Festival
Date Posted: November 8, 2016
ocumentary films and filmmaking, and alternative funding and audience engagement methodologies are the primary focuses of the Industry Programme of the 61st Cork Film Festival. Industry leaders from Toronto’s Hot Docs, Sheffield’s DocFest, Channel 4 and the British Film institute are amongst the many industry leaders coming to Cork.
The two day programme takes place in Thursday 17th and Friday 18th November, in the River Lee hotel.
- Day One – Alt.Fund – is the Festival’s new initiative which explores innovative and non-traditional models for financing work, and increasing audience engagement. It is presented with the support of the Broadcast Authority of Ireland, and Screen Training Ireland.
- Day Two – Doc Day – is, again, new to the Festival, and this new flagship event for established film professionals brings together Irish and international industry leaders to discuss the landscape in which projects are conceived of, developed and distributed. It is presented in partnership with Bord Scannán na hÉireann / Irish Film Board, and with the support of Screen Training Ireland.
Alt.Fund is curated with newly established film professionals in mind. From working with brands, nonprofits and creative agencies to lessons in targeting audiences and securing distribution, this morning session aims to revolutionise the way filmmakers think about getting projects financed and seen. Speakers at ALT.FUND will include: Luke Moody (Director of Film Programming, Sheffield Doc/Fest, in his first industry appearance since his appointment), Pegah Farahmand (Comissioning Editor, All 4 Editor, Random Acts Channel 4) and Matt Diegan (Producer, Just So London).
Doc Day has been purpose built for established film professionals, and features a roster of big names from the Irish, British, European and North American documentary industry. The packed day will address agenda-setting issues, and explore festival programming, commissioning and distribution, and open these considerations out with case studies. Amongst the large roster of speakers are Serafina DiFelice (Associate Director of Programming, Hot Docs), Laure Bonville (BFI London Film Festival), Mike Lerner (Roast Beef Productions), Rich Warren (Co-director, Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival), Oli Harbottle (Head of Distribution, Dogwoof), Patrick O’Neill (Managing Director, Wildcard Distribution), Alan Maher (CEO / Producer, Roads Entertainment), Hamish Mosley, (Altitude Film) and Anna Berthollet (Taskovski Films). The day will feature networking drinks with all these professionals, after a keynote address from that paragon of documentary filmmaking, the multi BAFTA, IDFA, Cannes and CPH:Dox winning director Kim Longinotto. Kim Longinotto’s latest film, Dreamcatcher, will play on Saturday 19 November at 1pm in the Gate North Main Street.
“I am grateful for the continued support of the Broadcast Authority Ireland and Screen Training Ireland for the Festival’s Industry Programme”, said James Mullighan, Creative Director of the Cork Film Festival. “And myself and the team are delighted to be working so closely with the Irish Film Board on our exciting new initiative, Doc Day”.
“This new Day perfectly complements the Festival’s increased activity in the field of Documentary; nearly 50% of the entire programme is documentaries”, he went on to say. “It’s wonderful that we have been able to attract so many big names to Cork for the Programme, and great for emerging and established filmmakers alike to have the opportunity to meet and discuss filmmaking with these leaders in their fields”.
Tickets to both sessions are on sale now through the Cork Film Festival website, and are €20 for Alt.Fund and €30 for Doc Day.
