In this episode of "Garry Talks," host Garry chats with Maeve McGrath, Director of Programming for the 37th Galway Film Fleadh. Maeve previews the festival’s diverse lineup, including world and Irish premieres, documentaries, and Irish-language films. They discuss standout features, emerging themes in cinema, and the importance of booking tickets early due to high demand. The conversation highlights the festival’s role in promoting independent and cultural cinema, supporting new talent, and fostering community engagement, whi...
In this episode of "Garry Talks," host Garry chats with Maeve McGrath, Director of Programming for the 37th Galway Film Fleadh. Maeve previews the festival’s diverse lineup, including world and Irish premieres, documentaries, and Irish-language films. They discuss standout features, emerging themes in cinema, and the importance of booking tickets early due to high demand. The conversation highlights the festival’s role in promoting independent and cultural cinema, supporting new talent, and fostering community engagement, while encouraging listeners to explore the full programme and participate in this vibrant celebration of film in Galway.
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Introduction and Festival Overview (00:00:00)
Maeve McGrath introduces the Galway Film Fleadh, highlighting its growth, Irish premieres, and the importance of booking tickets early.
Ticket Demand and Festival Logistics (00:01:54)
Discussion about high ticket demand, website crash, and the need to buy tickets in advance due to sellouts.
Kneecap and Discovering New Talent (00:04:02)
Reflection on the success of Kneecap, the importance of finding emerging talent, and the Irish language in film.
Trends in Film Themes (00:05:16)
Maeve discusses recurring themes in recent film submissions: family, land, and human rights.
Sponsors and Festival Strands (00:07:08)
Acknowledgment of sponsors and an overview of festival strands and the Bingham Ray New Talent Award.
Opening Night: Recreation Premiere (00:08:48)
Details about the opening film "Re-Creation," its controversial subject, and its sold-out status.
The Pálás Cinema and Wednesday Morning Screenings (00:11:13)
The reopening of the Pálás Cinema for the festival and the start of Wednesday’s screenings, including the Generation Jury.
Wednesday Morning Highlights: Documentaries and Loch Gréine (00:13:43)
Discussion of sold-out documentary "Agatha’s Almanac" and the film "Loch Gréine," with emphasis on diverse audiences.
Architecture on Film Strand (00:16:08)
Introduction to the architecture film strand and its significance within the festival.
Independent US Cinema and International Films (00:17:13)
Highlighting the presence of independent US films and the global diversity of the festival’s lineup.
Wednesday Afternoon: Cinegael Paradiso & Cast of Shadows (00:19:12)
Overview of screenings including "Cinegael Paradiso" and "Cast of Shadows," focusing on Irish film heritage and family.
Marketing and Sold-Out Films (00:22:50)
Discussion on effective film marketing, using "Love Lane United" as an example, and the importance of publicity.
Wednesday Afternoon: The Captain (00:25:14)
Spotlight on "The Captain," a UK independent film in the Defender category.
Wednesday Evening: Soft Leaves, Steve Shapiro, and French in Focus (00:26:34)
Highlights of evening screenings, including "Soft Leaves," the Steve Shapiro documentary - Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere, and French film "The Ties That Bind Us."
Irish Language Film and International Impact (00:32:00)
Discussion on Báite, the international appeal and influence of Irish language films.
Accessibility and Subtitles in Film (00:33:40)
Conversation about subtitles, accessibility, and the challenges of subtitling short films.
Wednesday Night: The Thing with Feathers and Music Documentaries (00:36:22)
Overview of "The Thing with Feathers" and music documentaries like "David Keenan: Words on Canvas" and "Once We Were Punks."
Thursday Morning: Shorts and Cutting Through Rocks (00:39:58)
Introduction to the daily shorts program and the documentary "Cutting Through Rocks."
Thursday Morning: Walk With Me and Where the Wind Comes From (00:41:46)
Discussion of "Walk With Me" (Alzheimer’s documentary) and "Where the Wind Comes From" (Tunisian road trip).
Thursday Afternoon: Khartoum and Stolen Lives (00:44:14)
Highlights of "Khartoum" (Sudanese documentary) and "Stolen Lives" (death row exoneration story featuring the late Sunny Jacobs).
Thursday Afternoon: Eel, Silverfish, and The Blue Trail (00:48:25)
Spotlight on "Eel" (Taiwanese film), "Lost Silverfish of Berlin" (architecture doc), and "The Blue Trail" (aging narrative).
Thursday Evening: James Connolly, Cowboy, and Blue Sun Palace (00:51:22)
Overview of historical and family-themed films, including "We Only Want The Earth - James Connolly," "The Reckoning of Erin Morrigan," "The Cowboy," and "Blue Sun Palace."
Thursday Night: Battersea, Rock Bottom, Sunflowers, and The Morrigan (00:55:47)
Highlights of US indie "Battersea," animation "Rock Bottom," "Sunphlowers," and horror film "The Morrigan."
Friday Morning: Promise I’ll Be Fine and Buried Alive (00:59:17)
Friday’s Generation film, Polish artisan film, and the quirky documentary "Buried Alive."
Friday Afternoon: Naked Nation and Solitary Soul (01:03:31)
"Ireland and the First Nations" (Irish-First Nations connections) and "Solitary" (rural Ireland drama).
Friday Evening: Sanatorium, Mother of Snow Cranes, and Still He Waits (01:07:00)
Spotlight on "Sanatorium" (Ukrainian wellness), "Mother of Snow Cranes" (Finnish film), and "Still, He Waits" (Donegal distillery).
Friday Night: Donal Lunny, Christy, Adult Children, and Trad (01:11:45)
Music documentaries, "Christy" (Cork drama), "Adult Children" (US indie), and "Trad" (Irish road movie).
Friday Late Night: Her Will Be Done, Brother vs Brother, and Boy George (01:18:13)
French film "Her Will Be Done," music docs "Brother versus Brother" and "Boy George and Culture Club."
Saturday Morning: Experimental Cinema and Dance Master (01:21:08)
Experimental films with "Boomerang" and "The Glass Booth" and the dance documentary on Breandán de Gallaí.
Saturday Afternoon: L'Ombra Del Gigante, Girls and Boys, and Immrám (01:24:03)
Italian architecture doc The Shadow of the Giant, Irish LGBTQ+ film "Girls and Boys," and experimental Irish language film "Immrám"
Saturday Afternoon: Listen to the Land Speak and Gerry Adams: A Ballymurphy Man (01:28:42)
"Listen to the Land Speak" (Irish landscape doc) and "Gerry Adams: A Ballymurphy Man" (historical doc).
Saturday Evening: Tow, Winter in Sokcho, and Horseshoe (01:32:04)
"Tow" (US drama), "Winter in Sokcho" (French-Korean adaptation), and "Horseshoe" (Irish family drama).
Saturday Night: My Uncle Jens, Omaha, And The Rest Will Follow, Eva Cassidy, and BP Fallon (01:36:54)
International features including Omaha by director Cole Webley, The Essence of Eva documentary, and BP Fallon Rock N' Roll Wizard music doc.
Saturday Late Night: The Wolf, the Fox and the Leopard (01:43:41)
Irish horror film starring Jessica Reynolds.
Sunday Morning: Traveller Music Legends and Credit Union Heist (01:45:04)
Irish language doc on Traveller musicians and "Aontas" a heist film about a credit union robbery.
Sunday Afternoon: All That’s Left of You and Dragonfly (01:46:17)
Palestinian drama "All That’s Left of You" and UK elder care drama "Dragonfly" with Brenda Blethyn.
Sunday Afternoon: Abode and Festival Closing Film (01:51:24)
Liam O Mochain's "Abode" and the closing film "The Life of Chuck" (Stephen King adaptation).
Friday Morning Special: The Negotiator (01:53:52)
Announcement of Trevor Birney’s film "The Negotiator" about Senator George J. Mitchell, slotted in as essential historical viewing.
Festival Wrap-Up and Industry Fair (01:54:08)
Final thoughts, the importance of the industry fair, and encouragement to attend shorts and network.
Farewell and Final Remarks (01:57:03)
Closing thanks, anticipation for the festival week, and a reminder to check the website for updates.
