MEDIA Film News December 2023
News about EU supported films showing in independent cinemas and cinema clubs that are part of the Europa Cinemas network plus films and film festivals supported by Creative Europe MEDIA and other EU initiatives such as Eurimages Cinema Fund, European Film Promotion, the European Film Awards, European Cinema Night, and the LUX Audience Award.
The Irish members of Europa Cinemas include:
- IFI, Dublin
- Triskel Arts Centre, Cork
- Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin
- Palás, Galway
- Access Cinema Network of regional cinema clubs
- Volta VOD online
- MyCinema.ie is an EU-supported platform, operated by access>CINEMA Ireland, on which you can you can rent a curated selection of the best world cinema & live events on demand.
European Cinema Night, 6th - 8th December
The European Cinema Night returns with an exciting line-up of European film screenings spanning from 4 to 8 December 2023.
85 cinemas from the network of Europa Cinema will participate in this edition. Each cinema has selected a European film based on the interests of their audiences, to provide a tailored cinematic experience. This edition carries on with the novelty introduced last year, which is the possibility for cinemas to select family-friendly films to attract young audiences to the initiative, as well as classic films to connect citizens with our shared cinematic cultural heritage.
You can find an interactive map on participating cinemas across Europe on this page.
In Ireland, a European Cinema night screening was held on 5th December in the Irish Film Institute with free screenings also taking place in:
- Triskel Arts Centre; 20,000 Species of Bees, 7th December, 7pm (wine reception at 6pm) | Free but ticketed. Tickets will be released on Thursday 7th December at 10am.
- Cinemax Cinema, Bantry; 20,00 Species of Bees, screening date TBC. Special guest: Don O'Mahony, Senior Programmer, Cork International Film Festival will participate in a post-screening Q&A at this event. To book call 027 55777 or email - info@cinemaxbantry.ie or visit the box office. No online booking.
20,000 Species of Bees is also nominated for the Lux Audience Award. Rate the film at http://luxaward.eu before 24th March 2024 and be in a chance to win some prizes such as a trip to the European Parliament to attend the LUX Award ceremony.
European Film Awards, Saturday 9th December
On Saturday 9th December, the European Film Awards will honour the greatest achievements in European cinema! The award show will be streamed live starting at 6:30pm Irish time (7.30pm CET) on the European Film Academy website here.
Cork International Film Festival will collaborate with the European Film Academy in hosting a livestream of the 36th European Film Awards on their website here on Saturday, 9th December from 6.30pm.
This year’s award European Lifetime Achievement will go to Vanessa Redgrave.The Spanish director Isabel Coixet will be awarded the European Achievement in World Cinema award while Uljana Kim will receive the Eurimages Co-Production Award.
The full EFA nominations list includes European films such as Aki Kaurismäki’s Fallen Leaves and Pablo Berger’s Robot Dreams which is MEDIA supported, and Juraj Lerotic’s Safe Place (Sigurno Mjesto).
So This is Christmas | Irish Film Institute
So This is Christmas is an emotional journey featuring five ordinary characters as they navigate personal dilemmas triggered by Christmas. Brought to life in a creative documentary form, the film explores the deeper complexities that emerge when expectations collide with reality. Directed by Ken Wardrop and produced by Venom Film who received development funding for the project from Creative Europe MEDIA.
Fallen Leaves | IFI, Lighthouse, Pálás Galway
Set in Helsinki, two lonely souls in search of their first love meet by chance in a local karaoke bar. However, the pair’s path to happiness is beset by numerous obstacles – from lost phone numbers to mistaken addresses, alcoholism, and a charming stray dog. This was Finland's official entry to the 96th Academy Awards and won the Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize. Fallen Leaves is also one of the 5 films nominated for the Lux Audience Award 2024.
LUX Audience Award 2024
In January, Cork International Film Festival will screen the five nominated films for the LUX Audience Award 2024 for free. Check their website and social media regularly for booking announcements.
The 5 films nominated for the 2024 LUX Audience Award are:
- 20,000 Species of Bees by Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren
- Fallen Leaves by Aki Kaurismäki
- On The Adamant by Nicolas Philibert
- Smoke Sauna Sisterhood by Anna Hints
- The Teachers’ Lounge by Ilker Çatak