From The Banshees of Inisherin and The Quiet Girl, to Derry Girls, Bad Sisters and Normal People, the power and popularity of local Irish stories with universal themes is at an all time high. With 16 films, including 15 Australian Premieres and multiple award winning titles and talent, the 9th Irish Film Festival Australia from October 5 to November 5 showcases the best dramas, most compelling documentaries and the famous Irish sense of humour.Among the highlights this year is opening night premiere Lakelands, an exploration of masculinity, loneliness and the role of sport in rural communities. The film struck a chord with Sydney Swans star Tadhg Kennelly, who grew up immersed in Gaelic football culture.
“You could be bulletproof in the football club, but you always had your armour on and couldn’t show any vulnerability,” Kennelly commented. 




Oscar and BAFTA winning short film An Irish Goodbye explores themes of tradition, loss and family, whilst also addressing the issue of caring for someone with special needs. The self-deprecating Northern Irish gallows humour adds lightness to the story. Beloved Oscar winner Olivia Colman deals with the ambivalence of motherhood in Joyride. With a script from BAFTA-winning Bad Sisters’ writer Ailbhe Keogan, Colman plays a woman struggling with the notion of motherhood.
The recent 25th anniversary of Northern Ireland’s Good Friday peace agreement also marked 4 years since journalist Lyra McKee was murdered in Derry, Northern Ireland. Lyra is a documentary about a young talent lost to terrorism. Directed by her friend, documentarian Alison Millar, the film touches on Lyra’s groundbreaking work in telling stories on intergenerational trauma, suicide and LGBTQI+ rights.
It is not the only feature to deal with Ireland’s dark past. Ann is a dramatisation of the events that led to the death of teenager Ann Lovett while giving birth in 1984. Her death sparked a movement that led to the end of Ireland’s abortion ban. Directed by Ciaran Creagh, the film looks at how this case played a role in Ireland’s transformation from conservative Catholicism to secular liberalism. The documentary Pray for Our Sinners also tells the story of the Irish campaigners who took on brutal church abuse of young pregnant women in a small Irish town.“For the second year we are bringing Irish stories to cities around the country to share and celebrate our culture. Film has a unique ability to bring us inside another culture.” Festival Director Dr Enda Murray commented “When you marry Irish people’s ability to tell stories; our need to share enjoyment and our strong connection to our heritage, you achieve the irresistible cocktail of culture and craic that is the Irish Film Festival.”
Dr Murray said that the Irish are renowned not just for their storytelling but also for their love of the ‘craic’. The Irish Film Festival Opening Nights in each city will be preceded by a Gala reception with complimentary drinks, live Irish music and a guaranteed warm welcome.
Audiences will also have exclusive behind-the-scenes access to films via Q&A sessions with Festival Director Dr Enda Murray and a selection of Directors and cast.