Opening Night Movie
We are delighted to announce our
Opening Night Movie:
LAKELANDS
Starring Éanna Hardwicke (Normal People) & Danielle Galligan (Kin, Shadow and Bone)
BEST FILM
Galway Film Fleadh
Kerry International Film Festival
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE SCREENING!
On the surface, Lakelands is a film about Gaelic football; at its core it is an exploration of what it means to be a man in a macho society that is evolving from ‘old’ Ireland into a modern society.
Éanna Hardwicke (Normal People) plays Cian, a small town sports star whose life revolves around training, drinking, friends and farming. When a head injury takes football off the table, Cian sinks into depression, wondering who he is if he can’t be a star on the pitch.
Reconnecting with old flame Grace (Danielle Galligan – The Great, Kin, Shadow and Bone), who has returned from London to care for her dying father, gives him the space to be vulnerable and together they navigate the meaning of ‘home’ in a place where you feel like a stranger.
Lakelands has a small town heart, but Cian’s journey – the discovery that a person is not defined by what he does, but who you allow yourself to be – is universal.
WATCH THE TRAILER
This unique film is the feature debut for writers and directors Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney, picking up the Best Film Award at both the 2022 Galway Film Fleadh and Kerry International Film Festival.
Festival Director, Enda Murray is excited about the opening night screening selection.
“I’m proud to present our opening night drama Lakelands, which will premiere at our biggest festival yet.
The film is a fresh, coming-of-age film from modern small town Ireland that delicately deals with a past steeped in tradition and its impact on mental health.
Stunningly shot and movingly told, it features a stellar rising star lead cast in Éanna and Danielle.
2023 FESTIVAL DATES / LOCATIONS
5- 8 OCT: SYDNEY Dendy Cinema, Newtown
13-15 OCT: BRISBANE Dendy Cinema, Coorparoo
20-22 OCT: CANBERRA Dendy Cinema, Canberra
27-29 OCT: PERTH Luna Cinema, Leederville
2-5 NOV: MELBOURNE Cinema Nova, Carlton
Online across Australia OCT 5 – 15
FULL PROGRAM & TICKETS RELEASED SEPT 14
including tickets to a very special opening night event for the Lakelands Premiere Screening in Sydney!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPONSOR THE FESTIVAL?
A huge thank you to all our funders and sponsors who’ve come on board so far – we couldn’t run this very special event celebrating Irish stories on screen in Australia without your support.
We still have some sponsor spots open with excellent value packages available – or perhaps your business or organisation can support through in kind or contra – so reach out before you miss out!
Email us at irishfilmfestivalaustralia@gmail.com for details.
Slán agus beannacht
Enda Murray
Director Irish Film Festival
