Programme

What a line-up we have for you for the 14th OFFline Film Festival from 11-15 October!

Legendary director Jim Sheridan will be in Birr, we’ll be screening x6 documentaries, our Fright Night is back, we’ll have Movies with Live Music & Made in Midlands, a cracking collection of Animation & Live-Action shorts, Masterclasses, School Screenings, features, plus lots more!

Jim Sheridan | Career Retrospective
Wednesday 11 October | 8pm
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre

What a night in prospect as we welcome one of Ireland’s most successful and revered film directors to Birr; Jim Sheridan.

Come meet and listen to the man himself where he’ll talk about his illustrious career to date in this very-special Career Retrospective

With Jim Sheridan
Wednesday 11 October | 2.30pm
John’s Hall

Around a dozen lucky filmmakers will be selected for this special masterclass with one of Ireland’s screen masters.

Mr. Sheridan will take the selected filmmakers through some key scenes, delve into the writer’s motivation behind each scene and display how he might motivate actors to deliver a convincing performance.

Friday 13 October | From 7pm
Kinnitty Castle

Join us if you dare on Friday the 13th in October.

This spook-tacular and acclaimed event has SOLD OUT each year to date. Limited capacity so early booking advised!

Thursday 12 October | 8pm
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre

It’s events like this night of screenings that help remind us who we are.

Back in 2019, we opened the Festival with a Made in the Midlands compilation and it has now become a firm fixture on our programme.

13 & 14 October
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre & Old [New Cinema]

We’re all about shorts here at OFFline!

We will have x6 different shorts programmes this year, non-competition and competition, along with our 2023 Awards Ceremony and a special selection of Berlin Shorts to mark our curation of the first-ever Irish Film Berlin earlier this year.

12-15 October
Tin Jug Studio & Birr Theatre & Arts Centre

We are screening SIX documentaries across OFFline this year.

From the forests of Estonia, to what it’s like to be 100 years old in a rapidly-changing Ireland, these are not to be missed!

The Collaborative Art of Producing for Film & TV
Sunday 15 October | 11.30am
Dooly’s Hotel

Hosted by the National Talent Academy Film & Television Drama

Join us for an exciting talk that discusses the role of a producer, where creativity meets innovation. We will be hearing from established producers across multiple platforms within Film & TV Production, including documentary, animation and drama.

Saturday 14 October | 7pm
John’s Hall

In collaboration with Birr School of Music.

A huge hit during Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival in August, we are delighted to host this gorgeous event again for OFFline!

Sunday 15 October | 3pm
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre

After 2 SOLD OUT screenings in September, now is YOUR chance to catch the must-see documentary of the season.

Directed by local filmmaker Nicholas Ryan Purcell.

Thursday 12 October | 5.30pm
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre

Don’t miss your chance to see the only screening in Offaly this Autumn.

No power. No internet. No one is safe.

13 October | 1pm & 6pm
Old [New] Cinema & Craughwell’s Pub

Don’t miss our OFFline 360 where we’ll be taking you on a journey through some exciting OFFline projects that we’ve been working on over the last 12 months.

You’ll also get to Meet the Filmmakers who are joining us from all over Ireland and Europe!

13 & 14 October

This year for the first time we are delighted to be able to offer a limited number of spaces allocated exclusively to Third level Film, TV & Animation students.

11-13 October | 10am
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre

Our Educational Film Programme presents a selection of subtitled contemporary world cinema which explores themes and issues relatable to a secondary school audience. 

Optical Toys with Cian Liffey
Saturday 14 October | 10am, 11.30am & 2pm
John’s Hall

This is a fun, hands-on introduction to the moving image and a gentle filmmaking workshop for children aged 7-12.

All materials will be supplied. Limited spaces, advance booking strongly advised.

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
Sunday 15 October | 11am
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre

Ahead of the highly-anticipated release of Wonka this Christmas, we’ll be screening the 1970’s classic staring Gene Wilder.

You’ll also have the chance to win a Golden Ticket at the screening on the day too!