The Mayo International Film Festival (MIFF ) is encouraging submissions for the ‘Best of Mayo’ category, for the inaugural festival which takes place in February 2022.
Despite being an international festival, one of its main aims is the promotion of the West of Ireland, and specifically Mayo, as a filmmaking location. The ‘Best of Mayo’ category encompasses feature film, documentary, short film and animation, and is open to filmmakers from or living in Mayo, thereby stimulating the development of filmmakers and crew based in the West.
A new initiative established by the Linenhall Arts Centre, MIFF, is a submissions-based festival, dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers and smaller production companies by offering a dynamic platform to showcase their work.
‘Mayo has a wealth of artistic talent and we’re keen to showcase and celebrate that talent at every opportunity,’ says Linenhall Director, Bernadette Greenan. ‘The county is such an enriching and versatile filmmaking location and it’s important to draw attention to that, for filmmakers both national and international.’
Shortlisted films will be judged by a team of industry professionals including Academy Award nominees. The ‘Best of Mayo’ category has two criteria in which to be considered: either the film was produced in County Mayo, Ireland and/or key crew were born in Mayo OR are currently based in Mayo. Writer, Director and Producer roles qualify as key crew. Judges include Academy Award nominee Darragh O’Connell (Brown Bag Films ), celebrated documentary filmmaker Vivienne Dick, producers John McDonnell & Brendan McCarthy (Fantastic Films ), Ruán Magan (independent director, producer and writer ), producer Niamh Fagan (Lunar Pictures ) and award-winning filmmaker Paul Webster.
Filmmakers have until Sunday, November 7 to submit for the late deadline and until Tuesday, December 7 for the final deadline. Further information and submission details are available via https://filmfreeway.com/MayoInternationalFilmFestival and the festival itself runs for three days from Friday, February 25 to Sunday, February 27 2022. More information can be accessed via www.mayofilmfest.com or by emailing [email protected].
