Opening Night Film "The Runway"

The eighth year of the San Francisco Irish Film Festival is going to be a really special treat. In the past, they have screened such films as Adam and Paul, Once, and Palme D’or winner The Wind that Shakes the Barley, but this years festival blows the past years’ out of the water.  Instead of a traditional festival format, the 2011 Irish Film Festival is focusing on 10 of the best Irish films from the past 10 years. This is something I am truly exited about!

There are three specific films that jumped off the page while I was scanning it: In the Name of the Father, Hunger, and Bloody Sunday. In the Name of the Father, one of my favorite Daniel Day Lewis films, tells the story of a man and his father forced to confess to an IRA bombing that they didn’t commit. It really pulls on the heart strings and is one of the better fighting-the-legal-system films I have seen. Hunger and Bloody Sunday I have not yet seen but you can bet that I’m not going to miss a chance to see them at the festival.  For being a smaller festival, I’m pleasantly surprised with the quality of films that are being offered this year.

The festival takes place at the Roxie Theater from September 22nd through the 25th. For the schedule and other information follow the jump below.  Read More…

"And if you do not attend the Irish Film Festival I shall poke you a second time"

Well folks, the San Francisco Irish Film Festival (Click on link to see promo video) is just around the bend, and although there are only 6 films to choose film, they should be interesting ones.  This year’s features range from a murderous dark comedy, a post-apocalyptic drama, a heroin documentary, and a touching 90-year-old love story told through the voices of 70 women which won best feature documentary and best cinematography at this year’s Sundance film festival.  Plus, there will be free Irish Cider for Friday’s Magners & Short program.  Woo-hoo, free cider!  If the films are as entertaining as the short promo reel (linked above) then how could this festival not be a success?  Check out the full schedule with trailers after the jump. Read More…