Focus on Film at Ballina arts centre
‘Minuscule: Valley of the lost ants’
Cinema buffs will be delighted to hear that there is a strong focus on film, this November, at Ballina Arts Centre.
The programme includes film screenings for all ages, a scriptwriting course, and workshops in clay animation and Anime character design.
On Thursday, November 12th,it’s Cine Club! This months’ screening is ‘Fairyland’. Following the sudden death of his wife, Steve moves himself and his young daughter to the vibrant landscape of 1970’s Chicago.
Over the next two decades, he must navigate pursuing his own passions while his daughter blossoms into a young woman.
Described by the Irish Times as ‘An emotional two-step between parent and child’, the movie is directed by Andrew Durhan and starts Scot McNairy, Emilia Jones, Geena Davis and Nessa Dougherty.
For any budding film or TV writers out there, the centre will be running a five-week scriptwriting course, starting Monday November 16th.
The workshops will be delivered by Jennifer Davidson, a writer for RTÉ’s Fair City, and owner of her own successful production company.
This practical, hands-on, course covers all the building blocks of creating a successful script.
It will take place on Mondays from 10 -12 am and costs 135 for five weeks.
As part of the Irish Film Institute’s ‘Think Languages Week’, On Monday 16th and Thursday 19th of November, the Centre will screen ‘Juste une Illusion’ and ‘Santiago/The Camino Therapy’. These two French films are aimed at Junior and Senior Cycle students.
‘Think Languages Week’ has been recognised as an associated event of the Irish Presidency of Europe for it’s contribution to developing multilingualism and cultural exchange. Schools can book via the box office, and tickets are €5 per student (teachers go free).
The Embers Young Peoples Film Festival is back in the centre on November 20th and 21st with a line-up of films and workshops which includes:
Friday 20th 11am: ‘Minuscule: Valley of the lost ants’ (Primary schools screening).
Saturday 21st 10 am: ‘The Snail and the Whale’ (English), ‘Zog and the Flying Doctors’ (Irish with Subtitles). Age 5- 10 yrs.
Saturday 21st 1pm: Tokyo Godfathers’ Age 12+ (for anime lovers)
Saturday 21st 7pm: ‘We Are the Best!, Age 15+ (for the punk community)
On November 21st, children aged 5 to 10 yrs will be able to take part in a clay animation workshop, with 2D animation artist Niall O’Hara. Niall has over fifteen years of international production experience and has worked with Hahn Film, Cologne Cartoon, Trinkompany, and BIG Animation. Fruits and drinks are provided.
On the same day, the Centre will host an Anime Character Design workshop with Wayne O’Connor.
Wayne has worked with schools, libraries and Arts organisations around the country hosting workshops in Comic Making, Animation, Storytelling and Digital Art, as well as Character, Book and Game design. This workshop, is for young adults aged 12yrs up.
