THE GALWAY Film Fleadh is never short of world premieres and directorial debuts, and among the films to be screened are new works by Irish film-makers Tom Collins and Nick Kelly.
The fleadh hosts the world premiere of The Drummer and The Keeper, the debut feature from director Nick Kelly. Gabriel is a chaotic young rock drummer desperate to hide his recent bipolar diagnosis from his increasingly exasperated band mates. Forced to bond with Christopher, an institutionalised 17-year-old with Asperger's, Gabriel discovers a very unlikely friendship.
Another world premiere is Aithrí/Penance, a period thriller from director Tom Collins (Kings, An Bronntanas ). Fr O’Donnell is convinced only violence will force Britain out of Ireland, inspiring Antaine to take part in the Easter Rising. Fifty years later, Antaine arrives in Derry and begins to influence Fr O'Donnell's altar server Feidhlim.
Daphne is the directorial debut by Golden-Bear-winning Scottish filmmaker Peter Mackie Burns. Daphne is witty, funny, the life of the party, and too busy to realise deep down she is not happy. When she saves the life of a shop keeper stabbed in a failed robbery, the impenetrable armour she wears to protect herself begins to crack. It stars Emily Beecham (Hail Caesar!, Into The Badlands ) and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Love/Hate ).
The festival runs from July 11 to 16 in the Town Hall Theatre. The full programme is on www.filmfleadh.ie
