Following the announcement last week that the Galway Film Fleadh would not be taking place this year, it seems that the festival may be going ahead after all. Albeit in a new form.
The Galway Film Fleadh is now in its 32nd edition. It was due to take place from 7th – 12th July, 2020.
However with cinemas not scheduled to open until August 10th, it couldn't proceed as planned.
Miriam Allen, managing director of the festival, has told the Irish Times that instead the Fleadh will offer virtual attendees the opportunity to view shorts, features and live presentations via a streaming application.
Allen revealed that revealed that funding pledges were confirmed on Friday afternoon.
She said: "The Arts Council have been great. Galway 2020 have been great. Screen Ireland have been great. Without them this would not have happened."
She has also said the digital event will "stick as closely as possible to the physical event". It will include an opening and closing film.
A limited number of tickets (to the capacity of the Town Hall Theatre, its usual venue) at between €5 and €7.50 will be available. They will be geo-blocked for Ireland.
The festival market will also take place online. Seminars and Q&A sessions will take place on video-conferencing apps.
Galway isn't the first to make the move to online.
Burning Man previously announced their festival will be hosted digitally this year.
Meanwhile 'We Are One' is a global film festival online that sees the likes of Cannes, Sundance, Berlinale and Tribeca among others collaborate on a digital event for movie lovers.
