‘Devastation’ as notable film festival in Limerick postponed due to ‘financial constraints’

THE Richard Harris International Film Festival (RHIFF) has announced its postponement due to “financial constraints”. 

A renowned and IFTA affiliated event, which takes place in Limerick city every year, celebrates the art of film-making. It was due to take place this October 23 to 28 at the Belltable.

However, organisers have “regrettably announced” the postponement of its upcoming edition until early Spring 2025. 

“Despite extensive efforts, the festival has not secured the necessary funding from national and local agencies, forcing this temporary postponement,” the statement reads. 

“The festival did not secure any state funding in 2023 or 2024 and this put a strain on resources.”

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Despite this setback, the team behind RHIFF remains “committed to the festival's mission” and is exploring all options “to secure the necessary resources to continue this important cultural event”. 

All film-makers who have submitted to date remain in competition and eligible for selection for the festival to be held on a new date. New entries will not be accepted after the official closing date of October 1, 2024. 

Festival director Zeb Moore said: "This is an incredibly hard decision for us. Over the past decade, we have poured our hearts into making the RHIFF a premier event for filmmakers and audiences alike. 

“To be forced to postpone is devastating, but we remain hopeful that with future funding, we can return stronger and more resilient."

Chairperson Rob Gill said: “We understand that people will be disappointed by this news, but we will continue to engage positively with local and national agencies, the Mayor’s office and potential commercial sponsors to deliver a high quality and professional festival in a few months’ time. 

“We still have development plans many years in the making. As we’ve frequently said, it is critically important that festivals in the region collaborate and coordinate with one another in terms of scheduling, to maximise and not cannibalise audiences.”

Over the past 12 years, RHIFF is said to have grown into one of Ireland's premier film festivals, showcasing a diverse range of films and fostering a vibrant community of filmmakers, artists, and audiences. 

The RHIFF team will provide updates on the festival's status as more information becomes available. In the meantime, they encourage supporters to stay connected via the festival's official website and social media channels.