The Galway Film Fleadh got off to a super start on Tuesday, July 8th with a screening of the hugely anticipated musical film Begin Again, from Once director John Carney, starring Keira Knightly (who can actually sing it turns out) and Mark Ruffalo.
However, Begin Again is not the only highlight of the Festival, which runs till Sunday, July 13th. The way-too-many-to-mention list of flicks on the programme are so diverse, you'll be hopping from horror to drama to documentary, to a series of shorts, to a sing along screening of Frozen (hurrah!) and back again. And again.
For a little taster of what you can see if you find yourself in the City of the Tribes, there's; Noble, the inspirational true story of the extraordinary Irish woman Christina Noble (played by Deirdre O’Kane); Brave Miss World, a documentary telling the story Linor Abargil, who was attacked and raped just before being crowned Miss World 1998; and Poison Pen, a smart, funny rom-com written by Eoin Colfer, he who penned the fabulous Artemis Fowl series.
A real highlight will be up-and-coming superstars Jack Reynor (What Richard Did, Transformers 4) and Will Poulter (Son of Ranbow, We're the Millers) who will both be appearing at the Festival on Friday for their new Dublin set film, Glassland.
As usual, there's a host of brilliant new Irish flicks, as well as great films from all around the world, but there are other special events in store in honour of the Festival including; a really interesting sounding panel discussion Our Nation’s Sons with artist Joe Caslin, who embarked on an art project of the same title in conjunction with the Festival; Somm Night, a 'sensory screening' of documentary Somm, which follows four friends attempting to pass the prestigious Master Sommelier Exam, in association with Cases Wine Warehouse; and An Afternoon with Brenda Fricker, one of Ireland's best loved actresses.
There's no doubt about it, when the Galway Film Fleadh is in full swing the atmosphere is electric, the surprises come fast and plenty and the craic is definitely had.