The Galway Film Fleadh takes place on 20 to 25 July with a series of outdoor and online film screenings. 11 world premieres, 45 new films and 100 short films will feature across the week. The programme includes a number of music films including a documentary about the late fiddle-player Ben Lennon and a film centred around the music of Damien Dempsey.  

Ben’s Departure (22–25 July, Online)
This short film is a tribute to the influential Irish fiddle-player Ben Lennon who died in March 2020. Ben’s Departurefeatures Lennon’s brother, the fiddle-player and composer Charlie Lennon, and is a creative response to the void left due to the absence of a wake and a funeral as a result of Covid restrictions during lockdown last year. The new work features archive images of Ben and the extended Lennon family, as well as Charlie’s new composition in tribute to his brother, and Ben’s son, Brian Lennon, playing flute with fiddler Séamus Quinn at Ben’s burial. Directed by Darach Mac Con Iomaire, Ben’s Departure is produced by Stiúideo Cuan. Tickets: https://galwayfilmfleadh.eventive.org/films/60d6659dbcbcb400a02d8323

Love Yourself Today (22 July, Fr Burke Park, Galway)
This part-documentary, part-concert film centres around the music of singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey and the stories of his fans. Love Yourself Today features Dempsey and three members from the audience of a concert at Vicar Street in conversation telling their stories of grief, loss and hope. The film shows how Dempsey’s music reflects his fans’ life challenges, and provides a sense of solace. Directed by Ross Killeen and produced by Louise Byrne, Love Yourself Today will receive an outdoor screening on 22 July.
Tickets: https://galwayfilmfleadh.eventive.org/films/60d611e72e076000b83d7ecd

Áine Tyrrell: Irish Troubadour (23–25 July, Online)
Irish Troubadour explores singer-songwriter Áine Tyrrell’s journey as she plays Woodford Festival in Australia at the end of 2019 and early 2020. The documentary combines two storylines: Tyrell’s journey to the festival and performing there, and a personal story of escaping domestic violence. Irish Troubadour is directed and produced by Enda Murray. Tickets: https://galwayfilmfleadh.eventive.org/films/60d611e72e076000b83d7ebe

Ryan McMullan: DEBUT (24–25 July, Online)
This documentary film follows emerging singer-songwriter Ryan McMullan as he prepares to release his debut album. The film is centred around a four-day recording session in Cruit Island, Donegal. In Ryan McMullan: DEBUT, directed by Brendan Byrne, we as viewers meet McMullan, his fellow artist and mentor Foy Vance, manager/drummer Paul ‘Hammy’ Hamilton and producer Eoin O’Callaghan. Between scenes of recording, there are insights into parts of McMullan’s career to date, including his first meeting with Foy Vance in Washington, his support tour with Ed Sheeran and his interactions with Snow Patrol and the band’s lead singer, Gary Lightbody. Tickets: https://galwayfilmfleadh.eventive.org/films/60d611e72e076000b83d7ed3

Faith and Branko (21–25 July, Online)
Faith and Branko follows the cross-cultural relationship between musicians Faith and Branko over a period of seven years. In 2011, Faith traveled from England to Serbia to learn gypsy accordion where she meets Roma violinist Branko. Despite language barriers, they fall in love through music and decide to marry. The couple later moved to the UK for better opportunities and as time goes by, problems arise in their relationship. Faith and Branko, directed by Catherine Harte, is an intimate insight into two artists in love. Tickets: https://galwayfilmfleadh.eventive.org/films/60d611e72e076000b83d7ec8

Best Summer Ever (22–25 July, Online)
This film follows the story of Sage and Anthony who meet at a dance summer camp in Vermont and fall in love. Best Summer Ever is a new take on the teen musical genre with a cast and crew of people with and without disabilities. Directed by Michael Parks Randa and Lauren Smitelli. Tickets: https://galwayfilmfleadh.eventive.org/films/60d611e72e076000b83d7ec2

For the full programme of this year’s Galway Film Fleadh, visit www.galwayfilmfleadh.com