History
Fresh Film Festival began in 1997 as the Irish Schools Video Competition, an annual festival to showcase the work of filmmakers under the age of 18 years.
Every year the festival goes from strength to strength, showcasing up to 200 films in a festival season and launching new initiatives under the Fresh umbrella.
Fresh is no longer a festival alone, but provides an annual programme of events in support of young filmmakers in Ireland. Fresh hosts International Film Shares, creates opportunities for filmmakers to travel and network on an international level, provides workshops, produces various showcases and, of course, hosts the Ireland’s Young Filmmaker Awards.
We advocate filming by young people in all genres. Fresh is now a national platform for young aspiring film professionals and those looking for a bit of fun in making short films.
Mission Statement
Educational Objectives:
To provide young people in Ireland with a greater awareness and understanding of contemporary film culture.
To encourage and facilitate young people in their appreciation and application of using film, video or digital technologies.
To ensure that the programming of the festival is developmental by nature and has resonance for young people and their lives.
Artistic Objectives:
To provide technical training for young people in areas of filmmaking that can be replicated in a classroom situation or by the individual.
To encourage active film by young people and to provide a show case for their efforts through the firmly established Irelands Young Film-maker Awards
Social Objectives:
To provide opportunities for young people from varied social backgrounds to join forces through participation in the main festival events or in the preliminary outreach projects and exchanges.
These groups or individuals are united by a common interest in contemporary film and video culture.
To nurture and develop young film audiences for the festival, and in the long term, for Irish and International filmmaking.
The Fresh Film Festival already works with an audience that is representative in terms of geographical span and social background.
Funders
The Fresh Film Festival is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, with additional funding from Limerick City Council, Limerick County Council, Clare County Council.
Additional sources of funding come from the financial and corporate sector with in kind benefit and from various businesses and organisations.
Child Protection Policy Fresh Films ltd will endeavor to safeguard children by:
a) adopting child protection procedures and a code of practice for all who work on behalf of the organisation
b) reporting concerns to the autorities
c) following carefully procedures for recruitment of staff and volunteers
d) providing effective management for staff and volunteers through support and training.
Board of Directors
Chairperson: Alicia McGivern (Head of Education at Irish Film Institute)
Secretary: Mark Griffin (LCFE)
Donal Foreman
Tony Tracy
Brendan Maher (Manager Nenagh Arts Centre)
Festival Patron: Pat Shortt (Producer, Writer, Actor)
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Staff
Festival Director: Jayne Foley
Festival Manager: Ciarda Tobin
Technical Manager: Pete Moles
PR & Event Co-ordinator: Miriam Garcia Mortell