DIVERSE STORIES | DIVERSE STORYTELLING
CATALYST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL focuses exclusively on films that address under-representation on screen and behind the camera; gender equality, diversity and inclusion are core to our programming. We want to create a more inclusive industry and films screened here will promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion whether in content, key creative roles or crew.
NEW 2024 AWARD CATEGORIES INCLUDE:
National Student Short Film (3rd Level in Ireland)
Best of Limerick
First Time Filmmaker
*PLEASE READ FULL CRITERIA, RULES AND TERMS BEFORE SUBMITTING*
The Festival Ambassador is Ruth Negga who noted in her opening address in 2023:
"It swells the heart to welcome everybody back and to growing our Shannon side film festival, Catalyst International Film Festival and celebrating the many different faces of our film industry and its future. As our industry experiences a resurgence of exciting attention, it has become increasingly clear that Ireland has extraordinary talent. Let’s nurture and support it so we can continue to explore our ever-evolving identity and culture through the collective in film by encouraging and supporting all Irish voices! Join us for Catalyst International Film Festival, 2023!"
We prioritise stories and storytellers who may struggle for visibility in the film industry and in mainstream film festivals. We believe that talent is plentiful but opportunities can be limited. Catalyst films will entertain and engage audiences - but they will also challenge and inspire.
Panel discussions, workshops, interviews, Q&A and special events are an integral part of Catalyst International Film Festival. This is a place where diverse filmmakers, emerging and more established, can connect and maybe even collaborate. It is also the place where diversity is welcomed, not merely accommodated.
Key issues of the day are enthusiastically debated with filmmakers, guest speakers, industry personnel and audience members. We anticipate not only a festival of films but also of ideas and opinions. We believe that there are clear cultural benefits created by engaging with diverse films and filmmakers.
Mindful of the power of film to engage and challenge, Catalyst International Film Festival will provide thought provoking cinema and proactive debate. We seek to generate new audiences and discussion around gender equality, diversity and inclusion and the practice of that by individual filmmakers. Our targeted festival guests will themselves speak to diversity whether in the vision, themes and characters explored in their films (content) and/or in the diversity of their personnel and crew (behind camera). Catalyst aims to generate new audiences for film culture and present a thought provoking and innovative programme.
Catalyst International Film Festival is also keen to engage with emerging filmmakers, ‘new’ rather than inevitably ‘young’, in order to broaden the horizons of potential future filmmakers and audience members. Filmmaking can be enriching as an art form, in and of itself; new technology has democratised filmmaking to some extent and we hope to capitalise on that in time.
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FILM AWARDS 2024
- Best Irish Short Film
- Best International Short Film
- Best Documentary Short Film
- Spirit of the Festival Award
- Jury Special Mention Award
- First Time Filmmaker Award
- National Student Short Film Award (3rd Level)
- Short Screenplay Award
- Spirit of the Festival
- Audience Award
- Best of Limerick Award
Spirit of the Festival is awarded to a film, or films, that captivate us while effectively articulating the themes and characters that our festival seeks to champion in productions that support gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
