Excitement at the opening night for the 2023 CIFF.

The Cork International Film Festival opens the 68th edition of the festival on November 9 with the movie ‘Poor Things’ at the Cork Opera House.

The festival opened with a sold-out premiere of the movie ‘Poor Things’, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.

In attendance were the producers Andrew Lowe and Ed Guiney (from Element Pictures) and the cinematographer Robbie Ryan.

Kieran McCarthy, Mayor of Cork, opens the festival: “This year Cork International Film Festival continues to take its viewers on a viewing journey of some of the world’s greatest films, newest releases and art house masterpieces”.

The festival patrol David Puttnam stresses the importance of film festivals in the filmmaking industry and how occasions like this can “illuminate the experience of a new generation of cinemagoers”.

Fiona Clark, Director and CEO of the Festival, says:  “Along with the sense of occasion we all feel tonight, I’m more aware than ever of the responsibility we carry as custodian of this significant and long-cherished Grande Dame of film festivals. Seven decades on, we continue to champion the power of film to tell important stories that transform how we see the world.” 

The festival running from November 9 to November 26 will bring both World and Irish premieres, also showcasing local artists.

These weeks about 200 movies will be shown, leaving plenty of opportunities for people to enjoy different movies of different genres.

Ciara Murray, volunteer at the Cork Opera House during the opening night said: “I’m really excited to be volunteering with the Cork Volunteer centre at the Cork Film Festival. I will be joining the audience on several occasions throughout the festival and I can’t wait.”

Tickets are still available to purchase on the Cork Film Festival website.