CLONES Film Festival (CFF), ‘Ireland’s Biggest Little Film Festival’, is back for 2021 following its absence last year due to the pandemic.

Running from Thursday, October 21 to Sunday, October 24, the festival is offering four days of film in three locations throughout Clones Town.

Outlining some of the films to be hosted over the course of the festival weekend, Seamie McMahon, Chairperson of Clones Film Festival, said: “We are delighted to host a screening of ‘Man of Aran’ in St. Joseph’s Temperance Hall, Clones, on Saturday, October 23 at 9pm, accompanied by a live musical score from APO-33. This unique film experience is not to be missed.

“We are also delighted to screen ‘Redemption of a Rogue’, on Friday at 10pm in the Courthouse, directed by Philip Doherty.

“Philip is a previous winner of our 48-hour short film challenge, and we are delighted to show this feature.”

Seamie went on to outline other highlights of this year’s festival including ‘Plean Bee’ by festival friend Deaglán Ó Mocháin, which will be screened in the Courthouse at 4pm on Saturday.

Documentary

“Prior to this screening, we will be showing a short documentary on the Kilrooskey Lough Cluster by Festival Committee member Patrick McCabe.

“And, as always, our programme will be packed with of some of the best films and documentaries from Ireland and around the world,” he said.

“We will have our usual selection of short movies in the Courthouse on Sunday afternoon.

“The selection committee watched more than 100 short movies in early September, and the final selection to be screened is of an exceptionally high standard. As always, this is a free event,” Seamie added.

Although the full festival could not take place last year, an online short film competition was showcased online over the May Bank Holiday weekend earlier this year, and the winners of the three categories – Fiction/Experimental, Documentary, and Animation – will be shown on the festival’s opening night, Thursday, October 21, from 8pm.

Fiction winner, ‘Three Blades/Trois Machettes’, from director Matthieu Maunier-Ross offers a fascinating glimpse of life in present-day Haiti.

‘Please be Seated’, the winning film in the Documentary category by Irish filmmaker Kevin Scott, tells the story of Marie Murphy and how the seemingly simple task of taking a seat can be a daily struggle.

New York-based animation artist Mulan Fu brought us ‘Beautiful’, the story of a teenage girl undergoing transformative growth as she witnesses her mother’s fight against breast cancer.

Highlight

Another highlight of the evening will be the big screen premiere of ‘The Wake’, CFF’s commissioned film of 2020.

‘The Wake’ stars a host of local talent, features some of Clones’ most beautiful locations and could not have been made without the support of the people of the town and surroundings.

Directed by Annika Cassidy, audience award winner ‘The Wake’ is a comedy about three young brothers’ attempt to navigate their grandmother’s wake through non-stop parades of mourners, an abundance of lasagne, and sibling rivalries.

There will be more cinematic surprises in store on the night, as well as a few tasters of the weekend ahead.

This year’s festival-commissioned movie is Jason Brannigan’s, ‘The Wall’ starring Joe Hanley and Nadia Forde.

The movie tells the story of a grieving father and daughter who try to reconcile their relationship in the wake of a personal tragedy.

‘The Wall’ will be premiered at the Francie Awards on Sunday night at 8pm. Booking is essential.

Seamie added: “To Monaghan County Council, The Arts Council, Clones Credit Union, SuperValu, Adamson’s Bar, First Choice Utility Options, and to all our sponsors, a massive thank-you.

“To you, our patrons – we are delighted to welcome you all back this weekend, and on behalf of the committee, thank you all for your continued support over the last 19 years.

“Francis Ford Coppola once said, ‘I think cinema, movies, and magic have always been closely associated. The very earliest people who made film were magicians.’

“I hope that over the next four days, you all take something magical from Clones Film festival 2021,” added the Festival Chairperson.