A Celebration of Irish Music, Film, and People

OUR FIRST IRISH FILM FESTIVAL

With the support of the Government of Ireland’s Emigrant Support Programme and the collaboration with the Chicago Irish Film Festival, the Omaha Irish Cultural Center presented Omaha’s inaugural Irish Film Festival. The Omaha Irish Film Festival was held over two evenings, March 7 and March 8, at the Benson Theatre.

MARCH 7, 6:00 PM COCKTAILS, 7:00 PM FEATURE FILM

The Feature Film selected for the first evening was Galway Film Fleadh’s 2023 Winner Best Irish First Feature, LIE OF THE LAND. This thriller film is an intense drama that unfolds as an elderly couple prepare to abandon their lives to escape a dire financial situation but a last-minute change of heart leaves them fighting for survival.

MARCH 8, 6:00 PM COCKTAILS, 7:00 PM SHORT FILMS

The second evening at Benson Theatre showcased a splattering of short films from an animated short about a bird’s hope to a short documentary on horseracing in Ireland. There was also a guest appearance from one of the writers of Trouble, Maura McDonnell. The winner of the shorts and recipient of a local Omaha pottery artist award was Street Musician. A sweet documentary about a teacher turned street musician with a wonderful voice.

The full list of shorts are:

• #NANA ROCKS - A COMEDY ABOUT A GRANDDAUGHTER’S CARE OF HER GRANDMA

• A DIFFERENT VIEW - A DOCUMENTARY OF THE BEAUTY OF REEKS DISTRICT AND MINDFULNESS

• STREET MUSICIAN - A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT A RETIRED TEACHER AS A STREET MUSICIAN

• COD & CHIPS - AN ANIMATED ABOUT A BIRD’S HOPE

• REGULAR RABBIT - AN ANIMATED ABOUT A RABBIT

• TROUBLE - A DRAMA ABOUT TROUBLES IN 1922

• WHEN HORSES RUN - A DRAMA ABOUT HORSERACING IN IRELAND

Additionally, on the second evening a Feature Film, NO GOING BACK, made a return debut to Omaha. This comedic love story entertained guests, cast and family members.