TOUR DATES 2010

December 2010: Captial Irish Film Festival, Washington DC
Darklight Heroes: DC Edition
Friday, December 10th at 7.00 p.m.
Goethe Institut, 812 7th Street NW, Washington DC 20001
Darklight heroes is when some of the festival alumni and contributors from past editions get together to think of the artists who inspire them most from any field and invite them to curate a session in the festival.
who is the dc hero? 
Berlin-based animator David O’Reilly and his selection?
 David has declared his film line up top secret and has forbidden us from releasing the details but we can tell you that he has named his selection MIXTAPE OF DOOM – a collection of logic bending neuro-masochistic short films from the past, present and future. early animation, modern rarities, lost television shows and other slices of meat from the media’s most surreal and succulent tenderloins. sounds tasty!

Darklight: State of The Nation

Friday, December 10th at 9.00 p.m. 
Goethe Institut, Washington DC 20001
Darklight Festival Director Nicky Gogan has hand picked a collection of films that she thinks reflects Ireland’s current social climate as well as the state of independent Irish film-making today. In an interactive session that will include input from fellow producer and director, Paul Rowley , as well as a live video link up with Irish guerrilla musician (and director of  Nun’s Fight Club), Declan De Barra, Nicky will lead us through her perspective on Irish cinema.
what’s the line up?

Fall directed by Paddy Jolly
 >>Columbarium directed by Tony Kenny
 >> Let Me Be Frank directed by Niamh Murphy
?>> Rocky Road to Dublin directed by Damien O’Donnell
 >> Old Fangs directed by Adrien Merigeau
 >> Lady On The Rock directed by Jessie Ward
 >> Gravity Loop directed by Paul Rowley & David Phillips >> 
Music video directed by Tu Me Tues >> 
Take ‘Em Up directed by Eoghan Kidney
 >> Untitled Revolution directed by Istvan Laszlo
 >> Nuns Fight Club directed by Declan De Barra >> 
Excerpt from One Hundred Mornings directed by Conor Horgan
 >> Excerpt from His&Hers directed by Ken Wardrop
 >> Divestment directed by Paul Rowley & Nicky Gogan >> 
Rialto Twirlers directed by Annmaree Barry

June 2010: Lightbox Animation Film Festival, Sligo
Cinema North West and The Model in association with the Darklight Film Festival and Synth Eastwood present: Lightbox, a film festival celebrating animation in Ireland 19 and 20, June. This year Lightbox profiles the work of hugely successful Irish animation company Cartoon Saloon, producers of Oscar-nominated The Secret of Kells. We also look at the work of Jimmy Murikami, a founding father of Irish animation with a new documentary about his life and a rare screening of his 1986 cold war feature film When the Wind Blows. Alongside the family-friendly programmes and the more challenging fare, there will also be a number of industry focussed discussions and symposiums.

April 2010: Tipperary IT
ANNUAL MULTIMEDIA EXHIBITION, TIPPERARY INSTITUTE
Darklight presents an animation programme as part of the annual multimedia exhibition ‘Digital Expression’ in Institute of Technology, Tipperary

April 2010: Belfast International Film Festival
As part of the Belfast Film Festival and run in association with the Digital Arts Studios, Darklight presents a day of screenings and workshops celebrating filmmakers and animators working in Belfast and across Ireland. 

Expect to be educated, entertained and elated. Darklight is an annual arts festival which takes place in Dublin showcasing future-focused and excellent new work from filmmakers and artists. 

Each year’s diverse programme of international and national artists is a celebration of the creative space where Art, Film and Technology intersect.

March 2010: Flatpack Film Festival, Bermingham
Darklight are delighted to announce the screening of Synth Eastwood’s animation package curated for Darklight Festival 2009 at Flatpack Festival, Sat 27th March, 11:30am – 13:05pm.
Also as part of Flatpack Festival, Synth Eastwood will present their Fast Forward Show; a night of live music, animation and interactivity, Friday 26 Mar, 8pm, at The Rainbow Warehouse, Birmingham, UK. Guests include Clark (UK, Warp), Gangpol & Mit (FR), Sarsparilla (IRE), Health & Efficiency (UK).

TOUR DATES 2009

April 2009: Darklight Animation Screening at ‘Digital Expression’, Tipperary
ANNUAL MULTIMEDIA EXHIBITION, TIPPERARY INSTITUTE
Darklight presents an animation programme as part of the annual multimedia exhibition ‘Digital Expression’ in Institute of Technology, Tipperary, Thursday 23 April from 4pm. For more information on the exhibition, contact Rachel Toomey, Multimedia Programme Specialist, Curator Digital Expression 2009 email: rtoomey at tippinst dot ie.

March – April 2009: Darklight Screening at Belfast film Festival
THURSDAY 26 MARCH – SATURDAY 4 APRIL
DIGITAL ARTS STUDIO, QUEEN STREET AND VARIOUS VENUES
Includes screening of Dublin: The Movie in Studio Cinema 29 March 7pm
For full listings and further information go to http://www.queenstreetstudios.net/ or http://www.belfastfilmfestival.org

March 2009: Darklight After Effects Workshop at Fresh Film Festival, Limerick
Darklight Presents ‘Bring Your Own Footage’: After Effects Workshop Saturday 28 March 1pm as part of Fresh Film Festival. Hosted by filmmaker, animator and after effects wizard Eoghan Kidney.
To secure your place, contact Fresh Film Festival directly, email info at freshfilmfestival dot net or telephone 061 319555
More information on the Festival’s programme can be found here.

March 2009: Dublin: The Movie in New Delhi
Darklight are pleased to announce a screening of Dublin: The Movie Thursday, 19 March as part of ‘REFLECTED LIGHT in Delhi’, Mint Gallery, New Dehli.
Filmmaker and visual artist Marc-Ivan O’Gorman in association with Culture Ireland brings a retrospective of 10 years of non-narrative film & video work to the Mint Gallery, New Delhi, Thursday. The event, entitled ‘Reflected Light’, will feature Dublin: The Movie, a multi-authored feature initiated by the Darklight Film Festival as well as a number of other works.
More information on the programme and Gallery, can be found here.

TOUR DATES 2008
October: Darklight Kid’s Programme at Wainfest, Letterkenny Regional Cultural Centre
The Darklight Cartoon Lounge presents two packed programmes of the best animation over the past year from national and international animators. A choice selection of wild and wonderful creations is guaranteed to delight children of all ages.
Contact Ruth McCullough for more information 0749129186 or click here.

TOUR DATES 2007
June 2007: Darklight Screening at Children’s ArtFest, Meath
Darklight Film Festival in collaboration with Meath County Council
hosted a successful screening of work for children at the recent
Children’s ArtFest in The Venue, Meath. More information on the ArtFest
can be found here.

July 2007: Darklight screening at Galway Arts Festival 2007
Darklight also collaborated with ENSO Live Art group in Galway at this years Galway Arts Festival. The screening was highly successful with over 300 people attending the showing on Friday 20th July at The Spanish Arch. Galway arts festival was curated by Maeve Connolly.
Click here to see a list of the films shown.

August 2007: Darklight screening at Kilkenny Arts Festival
Darklight is delighted to be collaborating with Kilkenny County Council on this years Kilkenny Arts Festival. Nicky Gogan, Darklight Festival Director, will be participating in ‘Re-Produced’, a presentation of “wild, alternative experiences of untamed, bizarre and curious art” at the festival alongside a screening of a number of films from the Darklight Touring Programme.

AUGUST: Darklight SCREENING at ISAFF OPEN CINEMA FESTIVAL PETERSBERG , RUSSIA
The International Short and Animation Film Festival OPEN CINEMA is a competitive festival of short films and animations. The festival was established by the INO “International Centre of Arts “BEREG” (Saint-Petersburg). The 3rd ISAFF OPEN CINEMA will take place in August, 2007.

ISAFF OPEN CINEMA is carried out with the support of the St. Petersburg government. The festival takes place annually in August on the beach of the Peter and Paul Fortress in Saint Petersburg (as well as at other places of St. Petersburg).

DECEMBER: Darklight SCREENING at PLATFORMA VIDEO FESTIVAL, ATHENS, GREECE

PLATFORMA – Urban Culture Co. is a not-for-profit organisation based in Athens, Greece, dedicated to the promotion of Greek and foreign artists’ work as well as to the organisation of events and actions promoting urban culture.
PLATFORMA VIDEO7 is an annual independent film festival hosting two competition sections, a series of film tributes and parallel events. It is held in Athens (GR) on 7-12 December 2007. Deadline for applications expires on 30 September 2007.
Click here to see a list of the films or here to visit the festival website.

TOUR DATES 2006
February: MUSCAILT, NUI Galway

Múscailt 2006 was the fifth Spring Festival of the Arts presented by NUI Galway. This Festival featured not only the outstanding talents of many members of the University community, but also top national and international artists resulting in an explosion of creativity and talent.
Múscailt 2006 took place from Monday 20th of Feburary until Saturday 25th Feburary.  The NEW WAVE IRISH SHORTS programme from Darklight 5 (2004) screened on 20th February.

February: MOOT IV ‘Focus on Film’, The Butler Gallery / Kilkenny County Council Arts Office
MOOT is a continuous creative process providing a forum for powerful, focused and inspirational debates and discussion on a variety of subject matters. MOOT IV highlighted the richness and creativity of Irish film and the challenges faced by organisations and individuals in terms of access to funding and opportunities for film release nationally and internationally. MOOT IV also considered the growth of the digital film industry and examined the increasingly blurred divisions between film makers and artists.

February: The Arts Office No. 72 John Street
Screening of a selection of digital film shorts from Darklight 5 (2004) and the Young Irish Film makers.  This was followed by an informal discussion hosted by Mike Kelly (YIFM), Nicky Gogan (Darklight Festival Director) and Dogmedia Productions. 

February: Kilkenny Cineplex
Screening of ‘Leisure Centre’ a film short by the Desperate Optimists and ‘Pavee Lackeen’ by Perry Ogden.

March: MOOT IV PANEL DISCUSSION “reel to digital : focus on film” Brewery Club, Parliament Street, Kilkenny
The panel was hosted by Lelia Doolan – Chairperson, Nicky Gogan – Darklight Festival, Joe Comerford – Puddle Films, Jane Doolan – Mammoth Films/ Film Consultant Specialist to the Arts Council, Noemi Ferrer – Irish Film Board and Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy – Desperate Optimists.
Discussion focused on the following areas:
• Investigating challenges facing independent Irish filmmakers with regard to commercial film industry policies
• Blurring the lines – artists as filmmakers – filmmakers as artists.
• Changing technologies – the place of digital film in the context of commercialism
March: Lovebytes Sheffield, UK. Environments International Festival of Digital Art and Media
Lovebytes explores the relationship between physical and digital environments, featuring live music and multi-media performances, film screenings, artists’ talks and exhibitions of new media work by artists from around the world.
Darklight’s PET PROJECTS programme from Darklight 5 (2004) screened at Lovebytes 2006 on 22nd of March.

April: Darklight SFX Workshop at FRESH FILM FESTIVAL, Limerick
The Darklight team have designed a special effects workshop for budding filmmakers tutored by Greg O’Brien and Raven. The first of these was held at the Fresh Film Festival, Limerick on the 1st of April 2006.
This workshop aims to give an understanding of how special effects are added to a digital movie. The workshop focuses on working with a blue screen, props, lights and digital effects. Participants learn the best camera techniques for video compositing, using easy to use video software. Attendees leave with a basic knowledge of the subtleties of special effects, an area which may be easy to approach, but more fun to get right.

April: Europazug 2006 Krakow, Poland
This programme of contemporary filmmakers, artists and animators was specially curated for Europazug 2006 by festival director Nicky Gogan. The programme had an Irish focus, representing the exciting new wave of moving image work being produced by Irish residents and by Irish creatives worldwide. Included in the selection was the world premiere of BERLIN FILTER by Paul Rowley and Gun Holmström. Also included were award-winning animations, STARS by Delicious 9 and CHANGES by Lorcan Finnegan.

The films were one of the main events at the Europazug festival and played to an audience of over 800 at the FILMOWA CAFE in Kino Kijow on the 27th-29th of April.

May – June: VU Space, MELBOURNE
A programme of 6 contemporary artists working in Ireland was specially curated for VU Space, Melbourne by festival director Nicky Gogan and featured work from previous Darklight festivals as well as a number of works from the (then upcoming) festival programme in June 2006.

The selection focused on artists who practice in both the art and film world – including Brian Duggan and Saoirse Higgins – as increasingly we find the line blurring between these two disciplines. The exhibition aimed to celebrate the variety of current practices prevailing in the creation of moving image work while representing new aesthetics, contemporary conscientiousness and an intimacy of vision that these processes allow. VU Space is part of the Mediated Art Department at Victoria University and the show ran for 1 month from 31st May – 23rd June.

July: The Ensoart Bus Tour, PROJECT ’06 Galway.
Project ’06 was a large open-access arts festival that took place in Galway.  As part of Project ’06 on 21st July, The Ensoart Bus Tour featured a selection of animated films from the Darklight Festival 2006.The Ensoart Bus Tour was a moving venue gathering its audience at various points throughout Galway.  Streets, promenade, docks and Salthill beach all become venues for this unique art extravaganza. A one-day series of events in a mobile installation/performance experience, it culminated in an outdoor projection of Darklight Festival on tour.

July: Workshop and screening of Dogmedia’s BAG OF BAGS at Axis.
Darklight in collaboration with Axis Arts Centre Ballymun and Dogmedia Productions screened the unique documentary experience that is Bag of Bags! During a 10-day shoot and workshop with local teenagers, the team and filmmakers went door-to-door to collect plastic bags from under the sinks of Ballymun homes.  Tesco supermarket in Finglas became the site of a bizarre case of synchronicity …
Bag of Bags screened at Axis Arts Centre on Friday 28th July at 6pm.

August: NOSEGRIND3, Millennium Court Arts Centre, Portadown.
On 10th August, Millennium Court Arts Centre hosted a cinematic extravaganza from animation and film/documentary screenings to a revolutionary poster exhibition from Poland. This celebration of film brought the finest in visual and moving arts to Craigavon.  Darklight 2006 programmes featured were ANIMATION ART WANDERING and DOCUMENTARY SHORTS.
August: RE-PRODUCTION, Kilkenny Arts Festival.

Curated by Mary Butler and Louise Allen, RE-PRODUCTION was a wild, alternative experience of untamed, bizarre and curious art which took place on the 19th and 20th August in the house, 7 Bridgewater Dean Street, Kilkenny.
Darklight Touring programme presented the following selection from Darklight Festival 2006: Animation Art Wandering; Animation 1; Animation 2; Dark Shorts; Irish Shorts; Exposure; Documentary Shorts; International Shorts 2 and Columbarium by Tony Kenny.

RE-PRODUCTION also featured performances, installations, dancers, Films, DJs and exhibitions by leading artists from Ireland and the UK.

Our collaboration with the Butler Gallery is one that will continue in 2007. There are a series of workshops planned for the New Year, as a further focus and development of our education programme for both adults and children.
September: Introduction to Digital Film Technology workshop, NATIONAL YOUTH ARTS PROGRAMME ROADSHOW, Galway Arts Centre.

National Youth Arts Programme Roadshow in association with the National Youth Council of Ireland invited Darklight to host a workshop and discussion specifically for youth workers.  This was presented by Greg O’Brien and Susan Gogan and took place at Galway Arts Centre, 16th September 2006.

October: Dublin Electronic Arts Festival (DEAF) 2006, Filmbase, Dublin.
Darklight Touring Programme screened a specially selected programme of new Irish film, animation and music videos at DEAF ’06, including award winning work from the year’s Darklight Festival.

The fantastic selection of shorts includes: DEMON by Eoin Ryan and Zanita Films, STARS by Delicious 9, I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU by Conor McIntyre and COLUMBARIUM by Tony Kenny.  Our excellent Music Video programme included: NORTH AMERICAN HALLOWE’EN PREVENTION INITIATIVE: DO THEY KNOW IT’S HALLOWEEN (Vice Records) by D.A.D.D.Y. and DOUBLE ADAPTOR: NANOWEBBERS by Semiconductor.

November: Exhibition, Drawbots workshop and film screenings at LETTERKENNY ARTS CENTRE and AN GRIANÁN
The Letterkenny Arts Centre and An Grianán theatre presented a week-long Darklight Tour event that ran from November 5th – 13th 2005.  An Grianán screened films specifically directed at a young audience, showcasing local talent alongside Darklight 5 (2004) Tour films STAR WARS: CLONE WARS and ANIMATION 1 shorts.

The Letterkenny Arts Centre had 3 film screenings including Dogmedia’s JENNY BALFE and PET PROJECTS shorts, exhibited SECURITY FUGUE, a mesmerising two channel video installation by New York-based award winning artists David Phillips (USA) and Paul Rowley (IRL), and hosted a Draw Bots workshop where local school children delightedly made mechanised robots that produce large colourful drawings.