Tickets Go On Sale February 1st!
Films from the Land of Storytelling
Borders and resistance are driving narratives in the current cinematic landscape and two films selected for the 20th Chicago Irish Film Festival, February 28 – March 3, 2019, are extraordinary examples. 
Opening the festival is the legendary director/producer, Jim Sheridan, presenting his film Shelter Me featuring music from Glen Hansard and Hozier. The film, directed by Zahara Moufid, focuses on the homeless problem in Ireland which the government failed to address, so a diverse group of well intentioned activists broke into and took over an empty government building and were surprised and gratified at the reaction of the public. It’s a powerful documentary that stirs the emotions and delves deep into the disturbing truth around the housing issues facing Ireland and communities around the world. This year’s opening night gala will once again take place at Theater On The Lake and includes a reception prior to the screening and a Q&A following the screening.
Closing the festival is a film that has been controversial from it’s conception, I, Dolours, a docudrama about IRA member Dolours Price. The first-hand material recorded by Price is from “The Belfast Project”, set up in 2001 by Boston College, that interviewed those directly involved in paramilitary violence between 1969 and 1994 in Northern Ireland. Participants, including Price, were promised that the interviews would be released only after their death; Price died in 2012. The project’s director, Ed Moloney, will be presenting the film and the screening will be followed by a Q&A and a reception. This year’s closing screening will take place at The Gallery Theatre. 
Other films screening include Tradition starring Paul Ronan about a Killarney judge and his last day on the bench; Ken Wardrop’s Making the Grade a truly fascinating look at piano students across Ireland; a delightful family film from Northern Ireland, Grace & Goliath concerning a Hollywood A-lister ( Emy Aneke) who ends up penniless in Belfast and needs a little help from his friends; and The Holy Fail, Owen Dara’s comedy about the desperate attempts one Irishman makes to keep his American born wife in Cork.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the Chicago Irish Film Festival without short films and this year they cover everything from zombies to time travelers, love letters to Brexit; literally something for everyone.
For complete festival information please visit: www.chicagoirishfilmfestival.com
Locations:
The Theatre on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Il 60614
The Logan Theatre: 2646 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
Galllery Theatre: Society for Arts 1112 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Il 60642
Tickets:
$50 Opening Night Gala @ Theatre On The Lake
$15 Closing Screening @ The Gallery Theatre
All other screenings: $10 adult $ 8 Seniors $5 Students/Children
Tickets will be available online @ chicagoirishfilmfestival.com
