Now in its fifth year of operation, the Irish Film Institute’s Reel Ireland programme is a firmly established feature on the Irish and international cultural landscape. Through this touring programme of Irish cinema, audiences the world over can experience a wealth of perspectives on Irish society and Irish culture through this most accessible of art forms.
While Reel Ireland 2008/9 includes a strong selection of theatrical feature films, it also includes more modestly budgeted works such as documentaries and short films which would probably not otherwise be seen outside their country of origin. The programme is contextualised by the actors, film-makers and commentators who frequently accompany it. Reel Ireland provides a valuable outlet and an appropriate context for Irish productions to be seen and discussed in cinemas and cinematheques, universities, and cultural centres. Since its launch in 2005, Reel Ireland has brought Irish cinema to over 100 venues in more than 40 countries around the globe. This year, we have welcomed the input of Bord Scannán hÉireann / The Irish Film Board in their curation of the shorts programme and we look forward to their continuing involvement with the project.
We are grateful to Culture Ireland for their generous support of Reel Ireland. We look forward to working together to consolidate existing audiences and to build new audiences for Irish film world-wide.
