TO SOME, THE notion of a small west Cork coastal community hosting a film festival may seem as intriguing as the city of Cannes deciding to hold a country mart, but there is nothing fanciful about the pragmatic approach that the organisers have been taking to the first Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival, which is to be held in Schull this month, writes CONOR POWER
Festival PR officer John D’Alton cites the powerful draw of west Cork as a factor in the festival’s promising build-up, as well as the good fortune of having an eclectic mix of artists, writers, film-makers and musicians already in its midst, all of whom, according to D’Alton, have given their time and made use of their connections in organising the event.
The head of the steering committee, cinematographer Chris O’Dell, underlines that the element of competition is not as important as that of participation, and it is this, along with the very strong youth element, that underpins what the festival is all about.
“The way that this whole idea of a short film festival came up was to try and provide a forum, a place where people could look at each other’s movies and show their own,” he says. “The showing of the films is the most important element of it. We felt that there was a gap in the market really. Most of the film festival circuits are basically trade events – they’re hyped up and actor-dominated, and they’re to do with marketing films to distributors. There aren’t that many festivals that are just about having fun watching films.”
In this sense, the Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival will be following broadly in the philosophical footsteps of the likes of the Dublin and Cork film festivals, but it is also about encouraging the youth of the nation and the region to get creative and start making their own films.
The technology has never been better for enabling people to make a film on a minute budget. Significantly, it was decided not to put any quality barrier on the format for presentation. Even something made on a mobile phone was up for consideration, according to O’Dell, “provided it’s viewable and valid”. As it turned out, the technical quality of submissions was high.
THE TRAINING ANDpractical element of the festival was manifest in its workshops, which promised an introduction to film-making. Taking place from February to April, these were run by local resident and graduate of Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Mark McCarthy, along with Tony Barry. Barry, a sprightly seventysomething and a highly experienced film-maker, is probably best known as the director of RTÉ's acclaimed 1970s drama series, Strumpet City.
Although officially retired, he has no hesitation in saying that this project is one which “took me by the hand and led me wonderfully astray”. He adds: “If even two people come out of this and make a film at some point later in time, I’d be delighted.”
With the workshops limited to just 12 places, it’s no surprise that it was fully subscribed for some time beforehand. Participants ranged in age from the early teens to the mid-60s. The combination of Barry’s vast experience and McCarthy’s familiarity with the latest technology made for a productive workshop team.
Much of the first workshop was taken up with improvisation, with Barry the producer/director getting the most out of the participants in acting, scripting on the spot and working as a team.
The workshops also taught participants about the technical options that present themselves in the process of creating a story for filming, such as the choice of camera shots, the timing of the action and the role of lighting. Participants’ scripts were read through and McCarthy demonstrated the important steps in transforming them into storyboard format. As the chosen film proposals were turned into live projects, everyone was given the opportunity to take part in the various roles involved: acting, directing, camerawork, lighting or editing.
THE WORKSHOP SERIEShas produced a crop of three short films, which have been shot and will be ready for viewing in time for the festival.
Mark McCarthy was among the first to moot the idea of staging a short film festival. Working as a sailing instructor in Schull Community College, he asked some of his students if they would be interested in making a film. The response was positive and things advanced rapidly from there.
Before long, they had a full-blown film festival committee up and running, with the participation of such luminaries as cinematographer Chris O'Dell ( Inspector Morse, Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Hornblower) and composer and Golden Globe nominee Maurice Seezer ( In the Name of the Father, Short Cuts, Mission Impossible, Breakfast on Pluto). The illustrious list of patrons of the festival include David Puttnam, Jeremy Irons, former film censor John Kelleher, former BBC boss Greg Dyke, actor Steve Coogan and directors Gerard Stembridge, Jim Sheridan and Kirsten Sheridan.
Screenings will be held in Schull during the festival, which runs from May 14th to 17th, in the Harbour View Hotel and the Cinemobile, as well as in various venues around the village.
www.fastnetshortfilmfestival.com
