The Silk Road Film Festival (SRFF), which takes place around Dublin from March 19 – 24, will welcome films from a wide range of countries and in particular will focus on Asian, Arab, Persian and Middle Eastern cinema.
The SRFF will take its audiences on a journey through world cinema starting with China, whose film sector is currently estimated as the world’s second largest; passing through Iran, which is among the most important artistic cinemas on a global scale; reaching Qatar and the United Arab Emirates which, with their cinema industries gradually expanding, are better known for their numerous film festivals, including the Dubai International Film Festival; and many other stops along the way, including but not limited to India, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt.
The primary reason behind the creation of the SRFF is the establishment of a dedicated platform to introduce and study the cinema of these countries and languages. The SRFF aims to facilitate international contacts between filmmakers, thus raising international dialogue, understanding and cultural integration.
The 2014 edition of SRFF will showcase a rich diversity of features, documentaries, animations, short films and student films. A special honorary award for Lifetime Achievement will be presented to Master Iranian Cinematographer Mahmoud Kalari at the Lord Mayor of Dublin Mansion House. Kalari will also hold a four-hour Masterclass during the festival on Saturday 22nd at Screen Cinema, which will be chaired by Irish Director and Cinematographer Michael Lavelle (Patrick’s Day). The Student Award will give student filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work internationally through Film Festivals Cinergy, which is a union of Film Festivals from around the world created to promote talents in filmmaking. Three students and a teacher will also get the chance to travel to the Notre Dame University Student Film Festival, Lebanon.
Other events at the festival will feature premieres, exhibitions, panels, chats with industry guests, free courses and workshops. Films being showcased include ‘Sugarland’ by Babak Nazari, ‘The Theft’ by Mohammad Farahani, ‘Maadaraaneh (Motherly)’ by Navid Nikkhah Azad and ‘Blossoms With Tears’ by Huaqing Jin. The festivals founders/directors are Carla Mooney, Delwyn Mooney and Steinar Oli Jonsson.
The festival will be opened by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Oisín Quinn in the Oak Room of The Mansion House. Lord Mayor said: “The Festival has opened a new route for European filmmakers who are looking to branch out and form international co-productions with filmmakers from Asian, Middle Eastern, Arab and Persian countries and vice-versa. This festival will help facilitate international contacts, not only between professional filmmakers, but also between student filmmakers and filmgoers. It will also generate international dialogue, understanding and cultural integration.”
The launch of the festival aims to fill a void in the Irish film industry scene and bring an eclectic range of films to the Irish audience.
For more information on the Silk Road Film Festival click here
