A SERIES of independently produced Irish documentaries will be shown at Limerick's second film festival. The screening of more than 40 feature, archive and short films will begin with The Boy from Mercury next Friday. Other films to be shown include: Korea, The Snapper, Into the West, Mise Eire, In the Name of The Father, The Crying Game and Guiltrap.
The documentary makers will introduce their work at a seminar. Louis Lentin, the award winning drama producer at RTE, will introduce his documentary Dear Daughter on the Goldenbridge orphanage.
Louis Marcus will introduce an episode of his four part Famine series shown on RTE recently.
Liam McGrath, director and researcher of Male Rape and Boys for Rent, will introduce his work.
Anne Crilly, who directed the controversial Mother Ireland for Channel 4, will discuss her film making experiences.
The festival is acknowledging the music video format by hosting a seminar discussing its importance in both fields. It also includes some of the best short films made in the country in recent times.
The video short film programme includes films that have appeared on television and in various festivals around the country.
There will be an audience participation forum entitled "Irish Film - The Virtual Reality". Issues for discussion include the part Irish film makers play in the industry, the role of those who fund film production, and the kind of films which Irish and overseas audiences wish to see.
The emergence of Limerick's Irish Film Festival "creates more space for film exhibition outside Dublin, a need identified by the Arts Council," the festival director, Ms Fiona Fennell, said.
She added: "In addition, by working closely with relevant bodies, it answers the call of Bord Scanan na hEireann to build a strong infrastructure in the fields of training, post production, exhibition and distribution."