Lights Out Festival Kicks Off Today

Lights Out! is a new type of film festival for young people dedicated to providing 6-16 year olds with the best films from Ireland and around the world with a diverse programme of animation, live action, documentary and short films. Lights Out! screenings in Kilkenny will take place in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle and will showcase plenty for young film enthusiasts to get excited about this summer.

Lights Out! Patron Kathryn McKiernan, from RTÉ’s The Den, said ‘I believe Lights Out! is a wonderful opportunity for young people (and me) to explore and experience the fascinating world of film and storytelling.’ The festival has been specially designed with the help of our Young Consultants Panel which enabled young people to have an active part in the planning of all aspects of the festival. Kilkenny was well represented on the panel by two young film buffs, Santana (12) and Sarah (10), both from Thomastown.

Making the announcement Alicia McGivern, Head of Education at the IFI said ‘For Lights Out! we have combined our experience working with young people with that of our regional partners, to create a truly varied and exciting festival in venues around the country. We hope our audiences everywhere will enjoy some great cinema when the Lights go Out!’

Lights Out! in Kilkenny will officially open with a red carpet event on July 22nd at 1:20pm in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, with the screening of a Lights Out! / Young Irish Film Makers Workshop short film inspired by the Lights Out! programming and created during a weeklong workshop (7-11 July) allowing Kilkenny amateur film makers to get hands-on experience in making films, fostering the next generation of Irish filmmakers.
This screening is directly followed by Azur and Asar: The Princes’ Quest (GEN), a magical animated fantasy.

Also tailored towards the younger age group is the film U (8+), a French fairy tale about a princess, a unicorn and a jazzy cat, and Razzle Dazzle (PG), a spectacular comedy about an Australian dance group aiming for success!

For the older age group there is a chance to catch young Kilkenny filmmaker David O’Reilly’s off-the-wall animation in Son of Rambow (12A). For teenagers there will be a sneak preview of a big upcoming Irish film release, 32A (15A), the story of a young teenager growing up (and getting her first bra) in 1970’s Dublin.

In addition to the main film screenings there will be two sets of Quick Flix (6+ and 15+) short film screenings showing the best of the shorts from the film festival circuit.

Lights Out! is an initiative of the Irish Film Institute and is supported by our lead partner, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office as well as RTÉ, The Ticket, The Irish Film Board and The Arts Council. In Kilkenny support is provided by Kilkenny County Council Arts Office, OPW and Young Irish Film Makers.

Both myself and Ross will be there for coverage this afternoon, if you’re up for checking out the films themselves visit LightsOut.ie for ticket details.