Locally-funded films to be screened at Ballyliffin’s Disappear Here festival  

An afternoon of engaging film funded by funded by Concern Worldwide is being hosted by the Disappear Here Film Festival in Ballyliffin.

The ChangeMakers stage at the film festival will screen a series of local and global films on Sunday, October 6. The films will showcase the activities of local community groups and depict the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people.

Additionally, the first recipient of the Donegal Short Documentary Bursary,  Bundoran-based film-maker Caroline Harvey, will be premiering her documentary I’m Grand. 

Changemakers Donegal provides global citizenship education to adults in Donegal on topics like climate change, gender equality, Fairtrade, and global justice. Project coordinator Myra McAuliffe said the group is proud to have been able to support Caroline. 

“We are proud to have contributed to funding this documentary through the Donegal Short Documentary Bursary, supported by Concern Worldwide and proceeds from our regular Film Club at Clonmany’s Market House,” said Myra. 

“I’m Grand is an impactful documentary which sheds light on the high burnout rate among child protection workers and features Shane Dunphy, an author, journalist, and child protection expert.”

In addition, Myra explains that local Donegal community groups will be showing videos they created following training they received as part of ChangeMakers’ Seeds of Change mentoring programme. 

“We organised mobile media training in video production with Póca Productions to enable these groups to share their stories and hopefully inspire others,” explained Myra. 

“We are delighted that local community groups Muff Heritage Group, Wild Inishowen, Rathmullan Tidy Towns and Letterkenny Tidy Towns have created their short videos and are showing them as part of the Disappear Here Film Festival in beautiful Ballyliffin this year.”

There will also be screening of Iarmsai (Remnants), an Irish language film about the colonial legacy of museums in Ireland and beyond, made by a Derry director and writer, Damian McCann. To conclude the afternoon, Where the Olive Trees Weep, a film that portrays the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people will be shown. 

“Sadly, this screening marks one year since the events of October 7, 2023, in Gaza and the continuation of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis that NGOs like our partners Concern Worldwide are focused on daily,” said Myra. 

“This will be the film's premiere in Donegal, and it comes highly recommended.

“We hope people will join us for an afternoon filled with meaningful films, engaging discussions, and, most importantly, inspiration,” she added. 

Michael McLaughlin, director of the Disappear Here Film Festival, which runs from Friday, October 4, to Sunday, October 6, said the weekend is not just about showcasing films.

“The film festival is not just about showcasing local and global film; it is also about creating a space for filmmakers and audiences to connect, share ideas, and celebrate the power of storytelling.” 

“This year, we are especially proud to provide a platform via our now-established partnership with ChangeMakers Donegal to bring so many wonderful local stories with international resonance to rural Donegal.”

For more on the Disappear Here Film Festival, go to www.disappearherefilmfest.com.