Headfort house hosts twoday film festival at weekend

PEOPLE have the power to change the way food is produced and support their local communities by how they chose to spend their money.

This is the timely message of cheesemonger, Kevin Sheridan who will lead a panel discussion on the politics and ethics of food production at the Guth Gafa International Documentary Festival in Headfort House, Kells this coming Halloween weekend.

Over the course of the two-day festival, which has just completed a successful weekend in Malin, Co Donegal, upwards on 20 of the world’s top international documentaries will be screened in pop-up cinemas in and around the historic house.

Films including Food Chains, which focuses on the exploitation of farm workers in America and Canned Dreams, which gives an insight into the different phases of production that go into a can of ravioli, are part of the festival’s food programme.

On Sunday evening, local farmers and food producers will join in the open discussion led by Kevin Sheridan, which will look at existing models of food production and ask if there is a better way.

Speaking in advance this week, the award-winning cheesemonger, who is based at Pottlereagh on the Meath Cavan border, said that the demand for ever cheaper food was leading to the closure of local shops and the disappearance of farmers.

“We need to be doing more to support local producers and local retailers. It has to come back to community.

“We can’t give out about farmers disappearing and our countryside disappearing and then want cheaper and cheaper food. If we are eating a piece of food and we know we are supporting a particular community and that everyone involved in getting it to us is making a fair living from it and not being exploited, then there is a pleasure in that,” he said.

The film festival kicks off in Kells Theatre in Kells on Thursday night at 8pm with a special screening of A Goat for a Vote , a charming film following the trials of three teenage students in Kenya as they campaign for the position of school president.

Dutch director, Jeroen van Velzen will chat about his film with the audience afterwards and all proceeds from the night will go to the local theatre group.

Then it’s onto the magnificent surroundings of Headfort House for the weekend where the cinemobile will be on site and temporary cinemas will be created in the spectacular Adams Hall and the old coachhouse.

Most of the international and Irish filmmakers whose works are being screened, will be attending the festival over the course of the weekend.

There will be a children’s programme and delicious food and refreshments will be available in the festival tent.

The festival will close on Sunday night in Kells Theatre again with a special screening of Blood Fruit, a film recalling the 30-year -old strike against apartheid by Dunnes Stores workers, some of whom will be in attendance with director, Sinead O’Brien.