Cork International Film Festival to Host Irish Premieres for 70th Anniversary

CORK, Ireland — The Cork International Film Festival (CIFF) has announced that the Opening Gala for its 70th anniversary edition will feature the Irish premiere of the film Saipan. This gala will take place at The Everyman Theatre on Thursday, November 6, at 7 p.m.

Saipan has garnered positive reviews following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film, directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, explores the tensions between Irish football legends Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy during the 2002 FIFA World Cup preparations.

Festival Director and CEO Fiona Clark expressed excitement about hosting two high-profile Irish premieres, stating, “We are delighted and honoured to bookend our landmark 70th Festival edition with two Irish premieres of this stature.” She emphasized the hard work of the festival team and their commitment to showcasing over 200 films and special events.

The Closing Night Gala on Sunday, November 16, will showcase the Irish premiere of Is This Thing On?, directed by Bradley Cooper and starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern. Clark noted, “We look forward to welcoming audiences to share the spotlight in Cork in November.”

In Saipan, Cork native Éanna Hardwicke stars as Roy Keane, while Steve Coogan plays Mick McCarthy. Hardwicke expressed pride in his role, particularly because the film reflects significant moments in Irish sports history. He stated, “Our film has Cork running through its veins: story, cast, and spirit.”

The festival will run from November 6 to November 16, with the full program set to be unveiled on October 15.