The second Dingle Film Festival opened in the Greenlane Gallery to a packed house. Guests present included Gabriel Byrne, his partner Anne george, Teri Hayden, The Peck family,Veronique, Anthony and Cecilia with her partner Daniel Voll and their 2 children, Barbara Kopple, Garrett Brown. There was a wonderful atmosphere and people enjoyed a glass of wine or pint of Guinness. Maurice Galway made an opening speech to the collected crowd. Afterwards everyone moved on to The Phoenix Cinema where a live performance by Nico Brown was performed with Maurice Galways short film clouds before the opening feature film, The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas. Pat Kerins was in attendance from Disney. The opening party was held in The Dingle Bay Hotel.

The Gregory Peck Award For excellence in the Art of Film was presented to Gabriel Byrne by Kevin Moriarty following a screening of A Conversation with Gregory Peck to a completely sold out theatre on Friday night. Gabriel Byrne told the audience in the Phoenix Cinema that it was an honour to be mentioned in the same breath as Gregory Peck. Producer Cecilia Peck, and its 2 time Oscar winning Director Barbara Kopple, introduced A Conversation... at the beginning of the evening. Gregory Pecks wife Veronique also attended the screening. It was an unforgettable evening full of emotion and joy.

Garrett Brown's lecture was a true marvel with the most exciting insights into the use of the Stedicam in motion picture today being illustrated by its inventor and master. Garrett not only illustrated on screen some of the greatest uses of the moving camera, but also some of the worst uses. The best of movies were used including Carlitos Way, Marathon Man, Rocky, The Shining and Eyes Wide Shut. A scene from Frankenstein was used at one point to illustrate how not to use the stedicam. Advertisements were also projected to illustrate the use of the Sky Cam and Garrett shot some footage with the audience using his Merlin which gave a very real insight into how revolutionary this equipment is. Over 60 people participated in the workshop, surrounding Garrett at the end of his talk, wanting more from him. He spoke with everyone and was very generous with his time. Thinking back with pleasure on our sojourn with you in Dingle, Garrett said recently.


The Wackness had a 70 percent capacity and went down really well with the audience. Later that night a private party was held in the home of Susan Callery with all guests in attendance. The night was a fund raiser for the festival with food by the world famous Half Door restaurant, music and an almost a full moon raising. Actor Aidan Gillen was also in attendance.

The weather played a perfect role, clearing at night to allow for energetic banter outside local pubs, the festivals nightly parties in venues such as houses, cafes and hotels. Wet by day increasing the festival's box office. Ned Dowds film State of Grace drew a large crowd, Philip Kings interview with Anthony Wall could have continued all day with Dylan fans hanging on every word and Se Merry Doyles interview with Barbara Kopple was most insightful with one of the worlds leading documentary makers, Barbara Kopple.

The Visual Arts Programme, In Pursuit 4, was opened in the Siamsa Gallery by Jenny Haughton of The Arts Council and works were also on exhibition in private and public spaces throughout the Dingle peninsula. Cork Film Centre provided much of the equipment, which included several projectors, 14 X T.V monitors, 14 DVD players and various sound systems.

The Festival appeared in 56 news items both nationally and internationally and on many .com sites including Variety and HBO. Interviews took place on Tubridy, Lyric FM, Spin SW, IFTN, RTE.ie and Radio Kerry.

Maurice Galway, CEO, said he could not have been happier with the Festival, all guests and festivals goers were very enthusiastic with the festival and already plans are underway for the 3rd edition which he promises will not disappoint.

The Festival closed with a screening of To Kill A Mockingbird, another sold out event and the film was introduced by both Cecilia and Anthony Peck.

The Dingle Film Festival will present a special 35mm print screening,of the Oscar winning film To Kill a Mockingbird,starring Gregory Peck. This rarely seen print is being flown in from Los Angeles especially for the occasion and presents an unique opportunity to see this classic Hollywood film in its original format.
The film will close the festival in the Phoenix Cinema on Sunday evening 14th September and will be introduced by Gregory Pecks daughter, Cecilia.

The festival opens on the 11th Sept. in the greenlane Gallery and will be followed by a screening of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

Special guests attending include:

Gabriel Byrne (Jindabyne)
Cecilia Peck (Shut Up & Sing)
Oscar Winner, Garrett Brown (The Shinning, Rocky, Return of the Jedi)
2 time Oscar winner, Barbara Kopple (Harlan County USA, Wild Man Blues)
Ned Dowd (Apocalypto, Last of the Mohicans, State of Grace)
Kevin Moriarty, MD Ardmore Studios,
Anthony Wall (No Direction Home, The Other side of the Mirror)
Aidan Gillen (The Wire, Queer as Folk)
Anthony Peck (Free Money)
Se Merry Doyle (Patrick Kavanagh: No Mans Fool)
and Philip King (Beal Tuinne, Other Voices).