The IFI Family Festival returns this June with some amazing film adventures from the world over, and a pop-up Shakespearean corner to boot!

The IFI throws open its doors once again to children aged 4 to 12 with the annual IFI Family Festival, running from the 24th to 26th of June. Along with three days of films from around the world – and almost all of them Irish premieres – there’s a chance to meet a beautiful Golden Eagle, crack some mysterious codes, create fanzines, have a hoedown in Meeting House Square with the schools’ screening, meet the makers of Zig and Zag and find out some exciting facts about William Shakespeare.

Alicia McGivern, Head of IFI Education, said: “After a very successful year of screenings and workshops for schools, we are delighted to once again open the IFI up to our youngest film fans and their families. Whether you like stories that make you laugh, cry, think or puzzle, we have something for you.”

The Festival takes flight on Friday, June 24th when Tommy Byrne, chief falconer at the National Bird of Prey Centre in Wicklow, will demonstrate his magnificent Golden Eagle in Meeting House Square along with some fantastic activities before the screening of the opening film, Brothers of the Wind! Keeping with the Festival’s theme of flight, this breath-taking opening film is the story of a hunter’s son, Lukas, who rescues an eagle chick who he teaches how to feed and fly.

This year marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, and the Festival marks this by bringing Simba the lion cub back to the big screen in the classic animation, The Lion King (June 26th, 11am), which was inspired by one of his best-known plays, Hamlet.

The full schedule for the IFI Family Festival is:

FRIDAY, JUNE 24th

– Foyer Flights (5.30pm-6.30pm)
– Brothers of the Wind (Age 7+) (6.30pm)
– Schools’ Screening: Little Grey Fergie: Country Fun (Age 5+) (10.15am)

SATURDAY, JUNE 25th

– Short Tales 1 (Age 4+) (11am)
– Short Tales 2 (Age 8+) (1pm)
– The Pasta Detectives (Age 6+) – 4pm Code M (Age 10+) – 6.30pm

SUNDAY, JUNE 26th

– Family Shakespeare – The Lion King & Pop-Up (Cert G) – 11am
– Zig and Zag Special (Age 6+) (2pm)
– Rainbow (Age 8+) (4pm)

WORKSHOPS: SATURDAY, JUNE 25th

Film Fanzines (Age 7-9) – 11am-2pm

SUNDAY, JUNE 26th

Screen Magic (Age 9-12) – 11am-2pm

The IFI Family Festival runs from 24th to 26th, June, and is supported by British Council, Shakespeare Lives in 2016, and Goethe-Institut Irland.

Tickets cost €5 (includes opening night event). Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children) for film events cost €15.00. Tickets available from the IFI Box Office: 01 679 3477 or may be reserved online.

Booking for Little Grey Fergie can be made through IFI Education on 01 612 9445 / 01 612 9436 or by emailing schools[at]ifi.ie.

Bookings for Workshops may be made by calling 01 612 9445 or 01 612 9436. Booking is essential as places are limited.
– Film Fanzines: Tickets €12.00; Max. 15 participants
– Screen Magic: Tickets: €15.00, Max. 15 participants

CONTACT DETAILS
Irish Film Institute (IFI)
6, Eustace Street
Temple Bar
Dublin 2