The 2009 Dingle Film Festival, described by one of its guests, Geoff Wonfor, director of The Beatles Anthology, as “The most passionate film festival I have ever seen" was deemed a success following its run from the 10th to the 13th of September. The festival’s director, Maurice Galway shared his thoughts on this year’s event with IFTN:
“Right from the kick off with Oscar nominated Saoirse Ronan opening the 3rd edition of the Dingle Film Festival one could feel this was going to be an energetic weekend. Peter Blanchette began the festival with the world's first performance of his newest score for Buster Keaton's 'Steamboat Bill Jr'. At the end of his performance, which worked so well with the B&W images on the screen of Keaton's genius slap stick, the audience immediately stood and applauded. This energy carried itself to the festival club at Lord Bakers where there was a piano bar and guests got to know each other into the early hours of the morning.
Friday saw Saoirse Ronan at 'Casablanca' and 'The Truman Show', which were part of the festival educational programme. The shorts programme was followed with an informative panel discussion with four of the film makers including Diane Namm, Maureen Ganz and Joanna Bowers Houghton from LA, and local man Keith Mannix from Tralee.
The European premier of 'Bottleworld' screened to a full audience and 13 of the cast and crew were present coming from New York and Philadelphia, including the director Alex Smith and actor Scott Wilson with his wife Heavenly. Later, in the festival club, Alex was seen discussing film with his idol Jim Sheridan. The IFB Seminar on writing comedy was very well attended with many laughs being created by Marc Flanagan and very helpful information being given by both Ned Dowd and Pearse Elliott.
Anthony Peck's speech at the Gregory Peck Award Ceremony was special and seemed to reflect much of Gregory Peck's own thoughts and beliefs and is published in its entirety on the festival website, www.dinglefilmfestival.com. Jim Sheridan gave very special praise to Gregory Peck. The night ended in The Festival Marquee at the Garden Cafe, with Jim Sheridan, Anthony Wall, Geoff Wonfor, Ned dowd, Pearse Elliott, Debbie Vandermeulen, Alex Smith, Scott Wilson, Kevin Moriarty and so many more guests and film makers mixing and networking to DJ Rob's sounds and visuals from film echoing out on the 16 barco screened wall.
Saturday kicked off with over 90 people present for the open submission comedy shorts programme and eight of the 12 films represented. Geoff Wonfor arrived, with many fans, at 10am for the 10 hour run of The Beatles Anthology, showing on a bank of 16 barco screens and a wonderful sound system in the festival marquee. Special moments included seeing Geoff and Anthony Wall emotionally discussing times past in relation to the film. The marquee remained full all day with many staying for the duration, including its director Geoff. Meanwhile over looking Bin Ban Strand in the garden of Herlihy House 12 writers circled Marc Flanagan discussing writing comedy.
Samir Ceric interviewed Sarah Maple taking many questions from the audience and giving great insight into her work which continues to be exhibited in The Siamsa Gallery until early October. A full house showed up for the production screening of Spiderhole which was followed by a reception hosted by Media Desk Ireland in The Dingle Bay Hotel.
The screening of 'Danny Boy: In Sunshine or in Shadow' specially in memory of Chips Chipperfield was introduced by its writer Julian Lloyd and Executive Geoff Wonfor. It included a very special moment in the middle of the screening with the entire audience singing the title song. Chips' brother Adrian was also present in the theatre. The following IFB Comedy Shorts programme was again very well attended.
Geoff Wonfor's interview by Philip King was packed out and showed everyone what a funny and expert story teller Geoff is. Geoff also announced to the public of his plans to make a 1 hour documentary on the festival in 2010 with Eugene O Connor being the DOP. Later Anthony Wall gave a fascinating account of being in Phil Spector's home shooting his documentary 'The Agony & the Ecstasy of Phil Spector'.
Finally the Dingle Film Festival board took some time to meet and look at changing the dates for next year’s festival, which will now take place in late March.“
