The filmmakers of Offaly will be screened as part of the Still Voices Film Festival 2021

Two Offaly films are screened as part of this year’s Made In the Midlands program at the Still Voices Film Festival.

Patrick Hough’s The Black River of Herself and Bonnie Dempsey’s Tina Times Two will be shown on Made in the Midlands screens on November 4 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ballymahon Library Co. Longford and online on November 5 from 10 a.m. via stillvociesfilmfestival.com

The annual Made In the Midlands program shows a wonderful section of short films shot locally across the Irish Midlands.

Details of the Made in the Midlands program emerged when the Still Voices Film Festival, in partnership with Creative Ireland, announced the full schedule for this year’s very special fifth anniversary hybrid festival. Although the festival is still based in Ballymahon – the birthplace of the great writer Oliver Goldsmith – the festival has grown and now uses larger venues in Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon.

This year’s festival has a busy schedule of events with a superb selection of truly amazing short films available both in person and online during the festival weekend.

In addition to the stellar short film program, there are several feature films to check out. Kicking off the festival on November 4th at 11 am at the Mullingar Arts Center, we have a new “Creative Aging” initiative, which aims to provide art for all ages groups. This year’s curator Adrian Duncan Sr’s film, ‘Cinema Paradiso’ is aimed at an older audience.

The opening night film, “Redemption of a Rogue”, based on Cavan, premieres at the Rustic Inn Abbeyshrule on November 4th at 9pm.

To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Still Voices is delighted to welcome acclaimed director Terence Davies to the Midlands for a special screening of his 1988 masterpiece “Distant Voices, Still Lives” (from which the festival originated. name). This in-person event will take place on November 5 at 8 p.m. at the Dean Crowe Theater in Athlone and will be followed by a conversation between Davies and film critic John Maguire.

The next day, November 6 at 4:30 p.m., Davies will participate in a directing masterclass with famous Irish filmmaker Pat Collins at the Backstage Theater in Longford. Davies and Collins will discuss the filmmaker’s long and varied filmography, cinematic style and unique sensibility. This event is offered to you in partnership with Screen Skills Ireland and is open to professionals and non-professionals alike.

Davies will also receive the first “Still Voices Visionary Award” for his significant contribution to the art of cinema.

Family screenings and our children’s animation workshop are also returning as well as industry panels for established and budding artists.

On November 6 at 12 p.m. at Dead Center Brewery, Athlone, casting director Priscilla John (The Fifth Element, Captain America: The First Avenger, Logan) and actor Antonio Aakeel (Tomb Raider, Dublin Murders, Granada Nights) will discuss the casting from both points of view. An absolute must for all actors and directors.

On November 7 at the Ballymahon Library at 12:45 p.m. there is a unique opportunity to hear from Longford artists Michael Keegan-Dolan, Karen McGann and John Connell about what it’s like to pursue a career in the arts. . Longford author Dani Gill will host this incredible event.

Tickets are on sale at the Ballymahon Library box office and online.

For more information, see the full program on the Still Voices website www.stillvoicesfilmfestival.com