Editor

Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival 2010 to showcase talented cinematographers and entice film lovers to a cinematic spree in West Cork. 

The Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival 2010, which will again take place in Schull, West Cork, from 27-30th May this year, promises to be an endorsement of real talent, with over 135 films submitted to date. 

The Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival is an independent festival, dedicated to bringing together established and first-time filmmakers to celebrate the short film. The element of competition is not paramount and while the prizes are significant, the screening of as many as possible of the entrant's films in a public arena is considered paramount. Participants will have the opportunity to meet established filmmakers, view their films and take part in workshops.  The town will be en fête for the weekend, with the local community heavily involved in the decoration and enhancement of the town's many features and providing a suite of entertainment options for film buffs and visitors to Schull.

Speaking at The Cinematographer's Party to announce the launch of the Festivl at The Bodega in Cork City this evening (14th May 2010) Maurice Seezer, Chairman of the Festival Committee said:  ‘The line-up of films is really exciting, and our Corona/Mexican connection is being strengthened with the introduction of a selection of Mexican short films produced by IMCINE, The Mexican Film Institute.'

Participants in the Festival include Kirsten Sheridan, Irish film director and screenwriter. Also taking part will be Producer Andrew Freedman of Venom Films who has had his productions screened Cannes, Locarno and Sundance.

World renowned Irish Novelist Patrick McCabe has added his full support to the Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival and has committed to taking part also. Author, Director and Patron of the Festival, Gerard Stembridge, has also committed to participating as has Jack Gold, who famously filmed the feature film Catholics in and around Sherkin Island in 1973.  BAFTA nominee, Chris O'Dell, Cinematographer of the ever popular Morse and Lewis series, is also listed as a contributor to the Festival events.

Irish Writer and Director Ian Power will contribute to the Festival this year, showing a selection of his short films and exclusive clips from his upcoming feature film The Runway which is due on general release later this year.  The film, which was shot in West Cork last year, tells the story of Captain Ruben Ocano, the Mexican pilot who crash landed his Gulf Stream jet at Mallow Racecourse on an April morning in 1983.  Producer of The Runway, Macdara Kelleher will also attend.

This year's festival will offer film buffs a packed and interesting programme to include screenings at various venues around Schull, including the 100 seater Cinemobile, and special focus workshops for film makers of all ages with interviews with various famous national and international film personnel and many more fringe events.

Several prizes will be awarded to film makers throughout the Festival, with a special prize of € 2,500 for the best young filmmaker aged 22 years or younger will be awarded. The Best of Festival Award is open to all filmmakers over 18 years of age and also carries a prize of €2,500, plus additional prizes for several other categories. 

Maurice Seezer went on to say: ‘We are much indebted to  our very generous sponsors who have supported us again this year - Michael Barry of Corona Extra, William and Judith Bollinger, Benny and Cliodhna McCabe, Ulli Crespo and Michael Satke,  Frank Daly of Ronan Daly Jermyn, Frank and Viv Nathan of Roberts Nathan Corporate and Schull Initiative. We are particularly delighted announce that this year Fáilte Ireland will support a national marketing campaign which will give great exposure to the event and in turn attract additional visitors to West Cork. Cork County Council are continuing their valuable support again this year and will provide a prize for the best film made in Cork'  Mr. Seezer went on to acknowledge the support of West Cork Development Partnership in enabling the Festival to provide innovative programming and ensuring the  continuing development of the initiative.  

This year's festival promises to build on last year's success, with continuous updates on http://www.fastnetshortfilmfestival.com/