IFI Family Festival 2015

IFI Press Release: 18^th June 2015

The IFI Family Festival returns on July 16-19^th with rollicking film adventures from around the world, workshops, special events and activities and a special gala preview of Inside Out

This summer holiday the IFI Family Festival will be taking us to an Arctic island, Indian backstreets, a Canadian sports field, an incalculably and extraordinarily average town in Germany. It’s a selection of the best family films from around the world, many of them Irish premieres and for some the only chance to see them on the big screen in Ireland. Step inside the head of Riley in Inside Out, see a New Yorker newcomer Mickey and pals try to save a team of wild horses in Wicklow and (for Roald Dahl fans) find out exactly what Esio Trot means. Your summer adventures start here!
 
The festival kicks off with A Major Emotion Commotion (July 16^th 5.30-6.30pm-FREE-All ages), a special opening night event in the IFI foyer which explores what makes us happy, what makes us mad, what makes us sad, when we hide our feelings and when we let them out!
 
Continuing this theme, this year’s Gala Opening is a special preview of Inside Out (6.30pm, July 16 -Cert G) which introduces us to the emotions of Riley – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. The emotions live in Headquarters, the control centre inside Riley’s mind where they help advise her through everyday life as she moves from the Midwest to San Francisco. The programme also includes animated short Lava from Pixar Animation Studios. Inside Out is presented as a Gala Opening with thanks to Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Ireland and opens nationwide on July 24^th. RTÉjr’s Clara Murray will be on hand to open the festival.
 
The Legend of Longwood (6pm, July 18^th – Cert: TBC) follows Mickey Miller, a 12-year-old New Yorker whose arrival in a small town in Ireland coincides with the return of the legendary, evil black knight. Mickey and her friends set out to redeem the knight, save a precious herd of white horses and thwart the plans of a greedy woman – a mighty handful for even the bravest girl! Meet the director and other members of the cast and crew who will attend the screening and, if you like performing, join young stars Lorcan Bonner and Scott Graham beforehand for an Actor’s Workshop (Places limited. Booking essential).
 
Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot (11am, July 19^th –  Cert: G) was a hit book with children and has now been adapted for the screen. Join director and IFI Board Member Dearbhla Walsh as she presents her film and answers all your questions about working with tortoises. After the show head to for Foyer Trot, a set of activities including a mini-book club discussion, a competition and a chance see some special Esio Trot exhibits.
 
How far would you go for a slice of pizza? In Crow’s Egg (6pm July 17 – Age: 10+) when two young boys in an Indian slum get fixated on giving a slice a try, nothing can stop them. Older children will also enjoy The Outlaw League (4pm, July 17 – Age 9+), with a Belgian baseball team trying to save their pitch, and Operation Arctic (6pm, July 19^th – Age 10+), a thrilling adventure and survival story set in the wild Arctic Ocean.
 
In Winnetou’s Son (12.30pm July 18, 8+) young Max tries to live like his fictional Native American hero Winnetou but, to fully succeed and play his son in the Karl May Festival, he must learn to ride a horse. Actor Lorenzo Gerrmeno (Max) will be present at the screening. The 8+ age group should also enjoy 10,000 Moustaches (3.30pm, July 19th – Age 7+), a Mexican film that looks at what happens when a 9-year-old grows a big moustache overnight, and Short Tales 2 (4pm, July 18 – Age 8+) which selects the best family shorts from around the world.
 
Younger children will enjoy diving into the wonderful animated world of sea creatures, reefs, flowers and fauna with Oona and Baba in Puffin Rock (11am, July 18 – Age 3+) on the big screen. Cartoon Saloon’s Lily Bernard will show and tell how she draws the feathered friends from this hit RTÉjr series. Don’t forget to stay afterwards for fluffy puffin activities in the IFI Foyer. There’s also a wonderful selection of films from around the world for youngsters in Short Tales 1 (11am, July 17^th – Age 4+) featuring a zebra losing its stripes and a magical circus coming to town. Fiddlesticks (1pm, July 17^th – Age 5+) is a live action comedy that shows what happens when a very average town goes absolutely bonkers!
 
This year’s workshop programme includes Poster Print ( 11am-1pm, July 17 – Age 7-9) where you can design your own film poster, Adventure Venture (11am-3pm, July 18 – Age 8-12) which helps you produce a trailer for an imaginary adventure film and  Legendary Picture Books (11am-2pm July 19^th – Age 9-12) with illustrator  Mark Wickham.
 
If you can’t make it to the fun in Dublin, fear not! The IFI Family Festival, in conjunction with access>CINEMA, is touring highlights of the festival to Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise (July 24-25), The Model, Sligo (August 11-12) and Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge (August 22-23). See www.ifi.ie/familyfest for full details.
 
All film tickets are €5 (€15 Family Tickets: 2 Adults + 2 Kids) and are available now from the IFI Box Office on 01 679 3477 or online at www.ifi.ie/familyfest. Workshops (€12-€20) have limited space must be booked in advance by calling 01 612 9445/01 612 9436.
 
www.ifi.ie/familyfest
 
FULL IFI FAMILY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
 
THURSDAY
A Major Emotion Commotion                                July 16, 5.30-6.30pm          All ages
(Special Opening Night Foyer Activities Event/Reception)
Inside Out                                                           July 16, 6.30pm                  Cert: G                                 
 
FRIDAY
Short Tales 1                                                      July 17, 11am                     Age 4+
Workshop: Poster Print                                        July 17, 11am-1pm             Age 7-9
Fiddlesticks                                                        July 17, 1pm                       Age 5+
The Outlaw League                                              July 17, 4pm                       Age 9+
Crow’s Egg                                                          July 17, 6pm                       Age 10+
 
SATURDAY
Puffin Rock                                                         July 18,11am                      Age 3+
Workshop: Adventure Venture                              July 18, 11am-3pm               Age 8-12
Winnetou’s Son                                                  July 18, 12.30pm                   Age 8+
Short Tales 2                                                      July 18, 4pm                        Age 8+
The Legend of Longwood                                      July 18, 6pm                       Cert: TBC
                                               
SUNDAY
Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot                                    July 19, 11am                     Cert: G
followed by Foyer Trot
Workshop: Legendary Picture Books                July 19, 11am-2pm            Age 9-12
10,000 Moustaches                                         July 19, 3.30pm                 Age 7+
Operation Arctic                                              July 19, 6pm                       Age 10+

See the website for full details of IFI Family Festival On Tour with access>CINEMA.
 
www.ifi.ie/familyfest
 
For more information, interview requests and high-res imagery please contact Patrick Stewart at the IFI Press Office on 01 679 5744 or email pstewart@irishfilm.ie

Inside Out is presented as a Gala Opening with thanks to Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Ireland. Inside Out opens nationwide on July 24th.
 
The IFI Family Festival is supported by the Goethe Institut, Dublin City Council, the Norwegian Embassy and The Sunday Times.
 
The IFI acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council.
 
-Ends-