Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Boyne Valley, the Boyne Valley International Film Festival (BVIFF) returns from the 8-10 August for its fourth year in partnership with Love Drogheda BIDS. Curated by filmmaker Frank W. Kelly and Director of Droichead Collette Farrell, the programme features a special showcase of films Made in the Boyne Valley; four programmes of Irish shorts; international, documentary and animation programmes, alongside workshops and awards.
Season Tickets available now, inclusive of all shorts screening programmes over the weekend for only €35 details at droichead.com. (Also individual programme tickets on sale at €8)
Opening the festival, the Made in the Boyne Valley programme showcases local filmmakers from the region and will include Eoghan Timothy Hand’s Medicinal starring Peter Coonan. Filmmaker in Focus programme will present six of rising star TJ O'Grady-Peyton’s short films, including the recent Oscar shortlisted Room Taken, a great chance to catch it and see why Colin Farrell agreed to come on board as an Executive Producer!
Boyne Valley International Film Festival are delighted to showcase stories from across Ireland, with the world premiere of Niall Duffy’s Galar/Homes of Donegal, about the Mica crisis, as well as offering the chance to see another Oscar longlisted short Turnaround by Aisling Byrne starring Claire Rushbrook and Sonya O’Donoghue’s Where the Old Man Lives starring Michael Harding.
Current Bursary Judge (and previous Filmmaker in Focus) Clare Monnelly will showcase her second short as a screenwriter, Cat & Mouse, and will be seen on the big screen in The Invitation alongside Aaron Monaghan. Offering an insight into filmmaking as a career there will also be a series of workshops throughout the festival: actor Orla Fitzgerald will host a panel discussion with casting directors Louise Kiely, Luci Lenox, Barry Coyle and Mary-Ellen O’Hara; Luci Lenox will share insider insights on what casting directors are really looking for in her workshop Powerful Presence & Practical Strategy: How to Build a Film Career from Where You Are; whilst actor Baz Black(Kin) will explore how to retain authenticity in acting.
BVIFF Announces Two New Patrons
Boyne Valley International Film Festival are also delighted to announce that acclaimed actress Helen Behan (Shane Meadows’ This Is England and The Virtues) from Laytown, Co. Meath, and award-winning casting director Louise Kiely (Normal People, Banshees of Inisherin, Disenchanted, and Sing Street) have joined the Boyne Valley International Film Festival as Patrons.
Speaking about the announcement, festival co-directors Frank W. Kelly and Collette Farrell said: “These two incredible filmmakers have inspired us for years, not just through their talent and success, but through their unwavering support and belief in our festival. From day one, they’ve been part of our journey, proudly flying the flag for us within the industry. We asked if they’d like to make that support official, and we were thrilled when they said yes.”
Creating an environment for filmmakers and audiences to connect and celebrate film in the historical medieval town of Drogheda, located in the heart of the Boyne Valley Region, BVIFF will once again feature an extended festival over three days featuring screenings, events and a range of awards to help support filmmakers.
For a full festival program and to purchase your tickets, please visit droichead.com
BVIFF 2025 is made possible through funding from The Arts Council, Louth County Council Festival Fund, Meath County Council and Love Drogheda B.I.D.S., sponsorship from The Clinch Family and support from Boann Distillery, Anglo Printers and The Marcy.
