OCTOBER 25th - 29th 2018
Welcome to Limerick for
the 6th Richard Harris International Film Festival Just over 6 years ago in September 2012, Rob Gill had an idea for an international film festival based in Limerick City to remember Ireland’s first leading man- Richard Harris - at a meeting organised for Failte Ireland’s Gathering initiative. RHIFF was born from that idea. Our first festival in 2013 was a modest affair over 1.5 days with 14 screenings, including a Harris retrospective screening of ‘This Sporting Life’ on the 50th anniversary of its release. The IFTA affiliated festival has grown in leaps and bounds in the interim period under the management of Zeb and Sylvia Moore and Rob, with Sylvia becoming creative director in early 2015. Between Shorts and features, the festival will screen over 130 films this year. Producers’ panels, networking events, Acting workshops and VR/AR workshops will take place over the course of the festival. The festival was chosen as one of the four festivals that comprise the Global Irish Festival Series – a joint initiative run by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Failte Ireland, with support from Limerick City and Council - to welcome home Ireland’s diaspora. We are honoured to be part of this programme as the festival was set up with two specific objectives (at the request of Damian, Jared and Jamie Harris) to encourage the Irish film-making diaspora, and associated artists, to return home to show their work and create content and also to encourage and promote young, emerging and undiscovered talent, from all over the world. With the latter in mind, the festival will continue to evolve and innovate and the festival is delighted to announce a new initiative to commence, with a call-out in 2019 – “the writer’s room”. This programme will bring writers from all around the world to Limerick to create and write the next great drama series, in a US writers’ room style environment and residency. Long-form TV drama is, arguably, the defining art-form of the early 21st century. While this initiative is in its’ embryonic stage, our ambition is to contribute to Ireland becoming an exporter of long-form content, rather than talent”. The writers’ room will be part of our new media conference, iMET – the interactive Media and Entertainment Tech summit in association with Emerald Giant Productions, which will run prior to the festival.
This year our programme harks back to the golden age of Hollywood and includes The Brothers’ Warner, which is directed by Cass Warner - the granddaughter of Harry Warner and daughter of legendary director and producer Milton Sperling. Cass will present this documentary about the founding of the Warner Brothers’ studio; Constance Smith: Hollywood Tragedy – a film that looks at the troubled life of Limerick born actress Constance Smith, will be introduced by producer/director Brian Reddin. The Harris retrospective screening is Wrestling Ernest Hemingway. The feature films selected include the international premiere of Juliette Lewis’s new film Anthem of a Teenage Prophet based on Joanne Proulx’s novel, the Irish & UK premiere of The Stolen Princess from Ukraine; a special preview screening of Darrell Roodt’s The Furnace and Paul Bushe’s and Brian O’Neill’s Killers’ within and from Australia The Pretend One. Also, screening is the searing documentary Syria: The Impossible Revolution followed by a Q&A with director Ronan Tynan and producer Anne Daly. Ireland’s only dedicated Sports Documentary programme will finish with a festival screening of rugby star Brian O’Driscoll’s Shoulder to Shoulder. Our shorts programme boasts a very strong shorts programme this year, with shorts from the US, the UK, Slovenia, Iran, Spain, Mexico, France and the Netherlands among the selection eligible for awards. Other highlights include the live script read of a feature in development by De Warrenne Pictures and an acting masterclass with IFTA Winner – John Connors. The Limerick to Hollywood Memorabilia – Richard Harris & Constance Smith will take place on The Glazed Street of LCCC Buildings from 19th October and runs through November and the Culture in the Castle (in association with Limerick Writer’s Centre returns in King John’s Castle. We would like the thank you for your continued support of the festival. Each year, we are heartened to see so many old friends returning and we look forward to welcoming new friends to our beautiful city. Céad míle fáilte Yours in Film, The RHIFF board of Directors
HOLLYWOOD TRAGEDY Directed by Brian Reddin
Thank you for supporting independent film and #RHIFF18.
WE HAVE MANY EXCITING PLANS AHEAD FOR OUR EXPANDED 7 DAY FESTIVAL NEXT YEAR.
See you in 2019.
SYRIA THE IMPOSSIBLE REVOLUTION Directed by Ronan Tynan
Saturday 27th Oct 6.30pm St.Munchin’s Church, Kings Island, Limerick
Written by Anne Daly Directed by Ronan Tynan The first feature length documentary to attempt that challenge in showing the historical roots of the peaceful uprising in 2011 and how and why it quickly turned into a revolution as the Syrian people found themselves consumed by a violent response that is still reverberating. How and why Jihadist groups from ISIS to Al Qaeda sought to steal that democratic revolution and how all of the major powers were drawn into the conflict - all pursuing their own agendas at enormous cost to the Syrian people. More than five hundred thousand are dead, half the population have fled their homes and six million are refugees outside the country and the suffering of civilians, including women and children, is far from over. Missing from media headlines are the voices and stories of those who peacefully resisted brutal dictatorship and are still struggling for freedom, human rights and democracy against ‘fascists in suits and fascists in beards” four of whom - all leading human rights defenders this documentary is dedicated.
THE BROTHERS WARNER
Presented by Cass Warner, President of Warners’ Sisters
The Brothers Warner Four pioneering brothers rose from immigrant poverty through personal tragedies to create a major film studio with a social conscience. The Brothers Warner is an intimate portrait and epic saga of the four film pioneers who founded and ran Warner Bros. for over 50 years. This is the inside story of the four brothers who built an empire on a dream and revolutionized Hollywood creating the first major studio with a social conscience honourable Harry Warner; honest Abe; visionary Sam; and capricious Jack. This close-knit band of brothers was the first to use motion pictures to “educate, entertain, and enlighten”. Their stories were often ripped from news headlines. It was Harry’s personal belief that, “Those who make a nation’s entertainment have obligations above and beyond their primary commercial objective, which is the box office.”
Presented by Warner Sisters President
Cass warner
Followed by Q&A Session
PRECEDED BY SHORT FILM IT WILL RISE WITH THE MOON Directed by LEAH MORGAN Tickets at the door €8.00
Saturday 27th Oct 8.00pm - Belltable, Limerick Tickets On Sale Now Price €10.00 Bookings: www.limetreetheatre.ie Ph:00353 61 953 400
KILLERS WITHIN Directed by Paul Bushe & Brian O’Neill
THE STOLEN RINCESS Directed by Oleg Malamuzh
ANTHEM OF A TEENAGE PROPHET Directed by Robin Hays
THE FURNACE Directed by Darrell Roodt
THE PRETEND ONE Directed by Tony Prescott
Richard Harris Retrospective-
WRESTLING ERNEST HEMINGWAY Directed by Randa Haines
RICHARD HARRIS RETROSPECTIVE SCREENING Frank is a retired Irish seaman. Walter is a retired Cuban barber. They are two lonely old men living in Florida, trapped in the emptiness of their own lives. When they meet in a park, the flamboyant Frank is finally able to start a conversation with the introverted Walter after several attempts. They begin to spend time together and become friends, sometimes meeting at the snack shop where Walter orders the same food every day and becomes fond of Elaine, a young waitress. Frank’s salty talk and crude behavior in public offend Walter and threaten their friendship. In the meantime, Frank attempts to start a romance with Georgia, a woman he meets at the movies, while dealing with Helen, his landlord who is put off by his manner.
Tickets On Sale Now Price €8.00
Bookings: www.limetreetheatre.ie Ph: 00353 61 953 400 Join the Harris Family for screening of
“WRESTLING ERNEST HEMINGWAY” Sunday 28th October, Belltable, Limerick, 3.30pm
John Connor is a multi-award winning Actor, Director and documentary filmmaker. He won the ‘Best Male Actor’ award for his 2017 box office hit film Cardboard Gangsters. He also won a second award for ‘Best Documentary’ in this year’s Irish film and Television Award (2018). He has gained international recognition for his talents in creating excellent content for both film and television.
THE ACTING & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT MASTER CLASS The workshop will be formatted in a way to maximise the potential for personal growth and to develop better acting skills, gained through his acquired knowledge.
Sports doc Monday
Premiere: 10pm, 12th October, BT Sport 2
SHOULDER with
TO
BRIAN
SHOULDER
O’DRISCOLL
Brian O’Driscoll takes viewers on a personal journey across Irish sporting and political history BT SPORT FILMS SERIES AUGMENTS BREADTH OF PREMIUM SPORTS PROGRAMMING ON BT SPORT Fifty years since the start of The Troubles, the film captures the remarkable history of the Irish national rugby union team, which despite violence, opposition and partition on the island of Ireland, has brought together players and fans from two different traditions and united them to compete as one, on and off the rugby pitch. BT Sport ambassador, and former Ireland and British & Irish Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll, takes viewers on a powerful journey as he explores how Irish rugby manages to navigate and nurture a successful team through the years of violence that have claimed the lives of more than 3,500 people and divided communities. The island of Ireland has been divided not just on a map but by politics, history and religion. However throughout it all, the Irish Rugby Union has continued to be the governing body of rugby, leading to the remarkable situation of players from two countries competing as one.
Awards Night
Dolores O’Riordan
6September September1971 1971-–15 15January January2018 2018- –RIP RIP
Oh Oh my my life life is is changing changing everyday everyday In every possible In every possible way way And And oh oh my my dreams dreams It’s never It’s never quite quite as as it it seems seems ‘Cause you’re a dream ‘Cause you’re a dream to to me me Dream to me Dream to me Songwriters: Songwriters: Dolores Dolores O’Riordan O’Riordan // Noel Noel Hogan Hogan Dreams Dreams lyrics lyrics © © Warner/Chappell Warner/Chappell Music, Music, Inc Inc
For those of us who grew up, or came of age in the 90s, the Cranberries and Dolores’s distinctive voice was a soundtrack to our lives. Like Richard Harris and Terry Wogan before her - Dolores proved that someone from a small town, with big talent, could make a significant and everlasting impact on the world of entertainment. Though a shining light may be gone, Dolores leaves behind a legacy and body of work that can never be extinguished. Indeed, the Cranberries’ track Dreams became the anthem of the Limerick Hurling Team as they finally reached their holy grail this year. For encouraging young artists throughout the city and country to follow their dreams -
we say thank you Dolores. The RHIFF board
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Harris Family – Damian, Jared, Jamie, Ella and Hayman; Bill O’Reilly The Limetree Theatre – Louise Donlon, Sharon Kiely, Gill Fenton, Jay Kavanagh, Gary Lysaght, Marketa Dowling. The Millennium Theatre, LIT – Gerry Meagher, Art O’Laoire. Limerick Civic Trust; Shannon Heritage; Honest Arts Productions – Tara Doolan and Pius McGrath. Gregg Schwenk, Deona Hamilton – Newport Beach Film Festival. Limerick City and County Council – Mayor James Collins and all the County and City Councillors; Pat Daly; Patricia Liddy; Laura Ryan. Sheila Deegan, Aoife Potter-Cogan – Limerick City Arts office The Limerick City and County SPC (culture). Ógie Ó Céilleachair – Head of drama 7 theatre, GCL. LIT - Simon McGuire, Staff and Students LIT Creative Broadcast programme. Pete Moles – Technical Manager. Simon Thompson – Clown Noir. Ksenia Zsikhotska. Limerick Writers Centre- Dominic Taylor, Tom Muldowney. Gerry Stembridge, Declan McLoughlin. Celia Holman Lee. Failte Ireland – Ciara Sugrue, Laura Butler, Colin Hindle. Tourism Ireland – Alison Metcalfe . Bernadette Mullarkey – Bane Mullarkey, Stephen Treacy- Tribe 101. Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade – An Tanaiste Simon Coveney; Minister of State Ciaran Cannon; Christopher Campbell, Ciaran Madden (Irish Consul General, New York). Christopher Campbell (1st Secretary, Dept. of Foreign Affairs & Trade). Tim O’Connor. Dept of Tourism – Minister Shane Ross and Minister of State Brendan Griffin TD. David O’Donovan and our friends in I.NY. Fade Street Social – Gerard Melinn and Tanja Johnson. The Curragower Bar – Brian Murphy; Dolans Warehouse – Mick and Valerie Dolan, Steven Cunneen – Treaty Brewery. Stephen Brandes -the Domestic God. The George Boutique Hotel - Altaf and Jacinta Khan. The Savoy – Ann Murray, Ronan Brannigan. No 1 Pery Square – Patricia Roberts. Shift 72 – David White. Immersive VR Education – David and Sandra Whelan. Kevin Pontuti - University of the Pacific’s MEDIA X program. Neringa Normantaite - graphic design. Alan Owens, Nick Rabbits (Limerick Leader), Rose Rushe (Limerick Post), Live 95 FM, Maurice Egan – LCCR, Marty Whelan & Sinead Wlyde – Lyric FM. I Love Limerick – Richard Lynch. Niall Murphy - Scannain, IFTN. Paul Mullins, Sean Curtin, Iris Alina Bude. Our friends in films – Cass Warner, Brian Reddin, Tom Waller, Sean Cronin, John Connors, Sam Eather, Terry McMahon, Moe Dunford, Phoenix Films - Andre, Elbie, Samuel and Sarina Frauenstein, Marina and Paul Donohue. Ronan Tynan, Anne Daly, Jesse Copeland, Nadia Scott, Julia Matson, Paul Bushe, Anniina Kankaansivu, Darragh Lucey, Elaine Kennedy, John Murphy, Senan Moore, Cian Moore, Jade Moore, Mike Finn. David Murphy – Warner Brothers; Kieran Corrigan – Merlin Films; Mike Tollin - Mandalay Sports Media. Tristan O’Carroll – BT Sport. Sharon Clarke – TBI Media, Brian O’Driscoll, Craig Doyle All at Bolt Capital. Enviro Plastics Ireland Ltd. Maurice Power & Co Solicitors - Brendan Gill. The Embassy of Ukraine – Charge d’Affaires, Olena Shaloput. Samanta Stochla – SFF ODDALENIA, Polish Social and Cultural Association. Munster Rugby; Limerick GAA; Andy Lee; Roisin Upton. Our volunteers – Damien Soltero, Aoife Danagher, Adrian Hogan, Chris Behan, Wayne Conway, Melissa Collins. Special thanks to our international adjudicating committee and jury. To our film-making community – thank you for sharing your creativity with us And to you – our audience – the reason we are here.
Sincere Thanks
to those who contribute to and support RHIFF
www.richardharrisfilmfestival.com www.issuu.com/rhiff