Whistler Film Festival 2024 Names Ireland as Country of Focus
The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) has selected Ireland as its Country of Focus for 2024, unveiling the Emerald Lens: A Canada-Ireland Film Initiative. The program will highlight the cultural and industry connections between the two nations, emphasizing opportunities for co-production, language preservation through cinema, and shared storytelling traditions.
Cathy Geagan, Consul General of Ireland in Western Canada, welcomed the initiative: “As we celebrate 85 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Canada, this spotlight will deepen our collaboration, highlighting our shared tradition of storytelling through film.”
Culture Ireland, which promotes Irish arts globally, echoed the sentiment. Sharon Barry, its director, emphasized the importance of the collaboration: “The spotlight on Irish film and Irish talent at WFF provides a wonderful opportunity to raise the profile of Irish filmmaking internationally.”
Building on the success of its inaugural country of focus initiative with Switzerland in 2023, WFF Executive Director Angela Heck noted the timeliness of celebrating Irish cinema, particularly with the resurgence of the Irish language and the global interest in Indigenous language revitalization.
Screenings and Talent Highlights
WFF will screen several notable films as part of the Emerald Lens initiative:
- "Sharp Corner" / Jason Buxton / Canada/Ireland / Suspense-drama featuring Cobie Smulders and Ben Foster.
- "Kneecap" / Rich Peppiatt / Ireland / A dark-humor portrayal of Belfast's Ceasefire Babies generation.
- "Fidil Ghorm (Blue Fiddle)" / Anne McCabe / Ireland / A heartwarming tale of resilience and music starring Edith Lawlor and Barry McGovern.
- "Housewife of the Year" / Ciaran Cassidy / Ireland / A documentary exploring Ireland’s evolving gender roles.
Cobie Smulders and Emmy-winner Tatiana Maslany will headline WFF’s Signature Series talent talks, moderated by media personality George Stroumboulopoulos.
Industry Events and Panels
WFF will host panels and networking events to encourage collaboration. Key panels include:
- Tax Benefits for Filming in Ireland: Exploring Ireland’s 32% tax credit and funding opportunities for co-productions.
- Cinematic Voices: Bridging Language and Global Audiences: Examining the success of Irish-language films like "Kneecap" and "Fidil Ghorm."
Tourism Ireland will also host the Industry Après reception, fostering connections between Canadian and Irish filmmakers in an informal setting.
Irish Film's Growing Global Presence
Ireland’s selection as WFF’s 2024 Country of Focus underscores its increasing impact on global cinema. Recent successes, including its Academy Award entry "Kneecap," highlight a vibrant industry with strong cultural ties to Canada. Steven Davenport of Screen Ireland expressed excitement about the opportunities ahead, stating, “This initiative paves the way for future collaborations and shared storytelling.”
Through screenings, panels, and networking events, the Emerald Lens initiative is set to deepen cultural ties and provide a platform for the continued exchange of stories between Ireland and Canada.