The 15th edition of the British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg has been officially launched, with a special Spring Edition set to captivate audiences from 18 to 23 March, in addition to screenings on 26 and 27 February, and 13 March, all at the Ciné Utopia.
This year’s Spring Edition promises a rich variety of genres, showcasing 13 feature-length films and five short films, focusing primarily on independent cinema from Britain and Ireland. Festival-goers will enjoy the Luxembourg premiers of each film, with highlights including the official opening screening, ‘Verdigris’, a drama set in Dublin, and the closing film, ‘That They May Face the Rising Sun’, based on the award-winning novel by John McGahern.
In a nod to historical and cultural ties, ‘The Runway’ will be screened to mark the 10th anniversary of the first direct Luxair flight between Luxembourg and Dublin. Additionally, a special “scream-along” screening of the classic ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ is scheduled, alongside the Oscar-winning animated short, ‘Mr Hublot’, celebrating Luxembourg’s cinematic achievements.
The festival will also shine a spotlight on young talent with the Young Filmmaker Competition Awards. Eleven entries from seven different secondary schools will be featured, showcasing the creativity and perspective of the youth in Luxembourg.
Special guests include actors Geraldine McAlinden and Maya O’Shea from ‘Verdigris’, director Sean Doupe from ‘Ballymanus’, and actor Chris Walley from ‘Lies We Tell’, among others, providing audiences with exclusive insights into the filmmaking process.
The festival has also partnered with Ciné Utopia for three special screenings: ‘The Great Escaper’, ‘Wicked Little Letters’, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail’. Tickets are available through luxembourg-ticket.lu and kinepolis.lu for these special events.
Audience engagement continues to be a priority, with the festival offering both an Audience Award and Audience Prize. Attendees will also have the opportunity to win Luxair flight vouchers during the special screening commemorating the Luxair Dublin route.
The British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg thanks its sponsors and partners, including the Galway Film Fleadh, Irish Film Institute, Screen Ireland, and the Luxembourg Film Fund, for their continued support.
Festival president Geoff Thompson expressed his delight at the festival’s growth and the enthusiastic response from audiences, emphasising the importance of community and cultural events.
For more information on the festival’s schedule and tickets, visit the newly launched website at www.festivalevents.lu.
Geoff Thompson from the British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg recently joined The Home Stretch with Melissa Dalton for a discussion on the upcoming festival and featured films. If you’re still looking to score some free tickets, then make sure to tune into Today Radio.
Thompson shared that the festival is adopting a unique approach with two editions in a year – a Spring Edition and an Autumn Edition. It avoids overcrowding and allows for a quicker release of films sourced from festivals like the Galway Film Club.
In addition to these two, Thompson told Melissa about an upcoming mini edition next week, highlighting two films: ‘The Great Escaper’, directed by Oliver Parker, featuring Michael Caine in a possibly final role, and ‘Wicked Little Letters’, a comedy with Olivia Colman and Jesse Buckley.
Thompson emphasised the diverse genres of the films, with ‘The Great Escaper’ as a historical drama and ‘Wicked Little Letters’ providing a comedic escape.
The screenings will take place at Ciné Utopia on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
