A youth film festival is currently running online with a free programme of events.

First Cut! Youth Film Festival will take place until 9 May.

This is the 12th edition of the festival. Normally it would take place in Cork.

The programme of events is aimed at young people aged 12 to 24. It includes short and feature-length film screenings, panel discussions and special guest appearances.

Open call

The film programme includes work from an open call and online workshops.

Director of the festival Mary McGrath said the programme reflects First Cut!’s aim to be positive, inspiring, engaging and fun.

“We received a record number of films from near and far this year despite COVID-19. With this festival, we are creating an important space, needed now more than ever.

“A space for proudly showcasing talent; a place of encouragement where young filmmakers, who are on a creative journey, are centre stage.

“For a lot of these young people, filmmaking is the only thing they are interested in doing,” she added.

Programme of events

The closing event of First Cut! is a screening of Oscar and BAFTA-nominated animated film Wolfwalkers by Cartoon Saloon.

Panel talks across the festival include a focus on women in film and getting started in TV.

Workshops and masterclasses are also a big element of the festival.

Upcoming workshops include collage and stop motion with Ann Upton, puppetry for film and television with Dominic Moore, screenwriting masterclass with Will Collins of Cartoon Saloon and archive footage and smartphone film-making, among others.

Further information on the festival and how to access these events is available here.

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