Editor

Corona Cork Film Festival announces eagerly awaited list of short films to screen at festival

The Corona Cork Film Festival which will take place from October 14-21 has just announced a very impressive line up of Irish and international shorts which will fly the flag for short films over the course of the festival. The full list of films selected is available on the festival website- www.corkfilmfest.org.

Mick Hannigan, Director of the Corona Cork Film Festival said
"This year, the number of short film entries submitted into the Corona Cork Film Festival has exceeded that of all previous years with the festival receiving over 2734 shorts. It gives me great pleasure to note that even though the numbers have significantly increased, that there has been no let up in the quality of the entrants. The films selected make for an exceptionally varied and strong programme and I am confident that our audience will enjoy and appreciate the films which make up Cork’s 52nd short programme.”

Since its inception in 1956, the short film has been an integral component of the festival. In 2007 the festival continues its love affair with the short by offering short filmmakers the opportunity to compete for several prestigious awards.

Forty Irish Shorts will compete for the much sought Absolut Award for Best Irish Short which this year is sponsored by Barry Fitzwilliam Maxxium. For the first time ever, this award has a monetary value of €6000 which is the largest cash price on offer for a short film at any Irish festival. The significant increase in prize money in 2007 for this award, is a testimony to the importance that the Corona Cork Film Festival places on the future of the Irish short film.

65 Irish and international shorts will compete for the Best International Short Award which has a monetary value of €4000. Audiences will be able to savour short films from the four corners of the world as shorts from a diverse range of countries including Costa Rica, Bulgaria, Chile, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Sweden, USA and Australia will be screened.

The Corona Cork Film Festival has long supported local filmmakers and the Irish Examiner Made in Cork Award which was launched in the film festival in 1997 has grown in stature to become a very popular award. The Award has a monetary value of €1,000 and is given to the best locally produced short. 17 shorts will compete for this award.

Tickets for all events and the festival catalogue can be purchased from early October at the Corona Cork Film Festival Box Office which is situated at 56 Patrick's Street, Cork. The festival programme and tickets will also be available online at www.corkfilmfest.org