Limerick filmmakers urged to get involved in unique and diverse film festival

FILMMAKERS and screenwriters are being urged to enter this year's Catalyst International Film Festival.

The deadline for submissions is February 16, ahead of the festival's return to Limerick city between April 23 and 25.

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Festival ambassador and Limerick-raised actress Ruth Negga said: “It swells the heart to welcome everybody back and to growing back and to growing our Shannonside film festival, Catalyst Film Festival, and celebrating the many different faces of our film industry and its future.”

This is the only film festival in the country dedicated to gender equality, diversity and inclusion. 

This year's programme also includes a screenwriting lab, which will be free. 

This will support ten emerging writers with an immersive two-day development programme. 

Organisers said: “The lab removes financial barriers, strengthens scripts for screen, and builds long-term industry pathways, ensuring talent, not circumstance, determines opportunity.” 

Screenwriters and filmmakers will benefit from showcasing their work on the international stage, they can connect with film professionals and enthusiasts and it offers a unique stage for storytelling. 

Festival director Dr Susan Liddy said: “Too often, promising voices are not identified or supported, resulting in a loss of authentic stories. 

“Catalyst is taking a first step towards changing that, and we are grateful to Coimisiún na Meán for supporting this particular initiative.”

For information and submissions, see Catalyst International Film Festival on www.filmfreeway.com, and this is where all screenplays for the free lab must be submitted.