The Rathmullan Film Festival is returning for 2023 on Thursday, 16th until Sunday, 19th February, and is celebrating its sixth year. After two years of online and hybrid formats, the festival is back to its collaborative roots, turning the village of Rathmullan into a cinematic wonderland.
Since it launched in 2018, Rathmullan Film Festival has continued to grow as a participatory film festival located in the heart of Rathmullan, Co. Donegal. Over the past number of years, the festival has become a four-day event that takes place during the February mid-term break and has been vital in promoting tourism and creativity in the Northwest. This year’s programme has finally been revealed and it is packed with a range of inspiring workshops, great films, sports fun and exciting events. Over the last few months, with the support of the Tomar Trust, the Film Festival team has been working with students from St. Joseph’s, St. Garvan’s and Little Angels, to make films and encourage creativity. The films made by students will be launched at one of the most glamorous evenings of the year, the Gala Night Oscars Party, in Ray Community Centre on Thursday, 16th February.
Rathmullan Film Festival is returning for 2023 with a jam-packed programme of events.
Over the course of the weekend, young filmmakers can learn the art of putting music to film, how to do special effects makeup, how to shoot and edit videos on your smartphone, how to act, create a storyboard and improve animation skills with a range of workshops in St. Joseph’s National School. There will be a kids soccer blitz on Friday evening and a kickboxing class for the whole family on Saturday at 12:30pm. When it comes to exciting screenings and events, there really is something for everyone in the community to enjoy. On Thursday, there will be a screening of films made by locals in the SVP Centre. On Friday, 17th, enjoy an Art Film Quiz in An Bonnán Buí, get your girls together for film Bridesmaids and cocktails in the Beachcomber Bar or get your thrills at the screening of Hillwalkers in An Stad.
Kids can learn how to use music to unleash their creativity and write a film score with Carol Wilson.
Saturday’s highlights include a screening of films made by the University of Ulster and Atlantic Technological University film students and a meet-up opportunity for Northwest creatives at the Inspire Event in Rathmullan House at 1pm. On Saturday evening, head to St. Columb’s Church for Reel Northwest, a special screening of snapshots of life in Derry and Donegal from the Northern Ireland Screen Digital Film Archive with the premiere of an original soundtrack by Aul Boy and local musicians from across County Donegal and the Northwest.
The final day of the festival includes a screening of The Quiet Girl in Mary Mac’s Bar and a Trad Session celebrating Irish movies in the White Harte. The festival comes to a close with a dog-friendly premiere of short films made by northwest filmmakers who took part in the Northwest Film Challenge
Festival Assistant, Katie McAteer, has been involved with the Film Festival team for the past number of years and said: “We are delighted to be back with a fully in-person programme of events for this year’s festival. As successful as the online and hybrid festivals were, there is nothing like celebrating the creativity of those in the community, Donegal and around the Northwest with exciting in-person events. The festival team, participating venues and the community have worked really hard to ensure this year’s programme is better than ever with something for everyone to enjoy. We encourage all those from the surrounding areas to check out the programme and get involved.”
To see the full brochure and book tickets to events and workshops, visit rathmullan.ie/filmfest.
