Health & Happiness: Lights, Camera, and Inishowen! Foyle Film Festival Returns

There is something rather exciting about sitting in a cinema and recognising a place you know well on the big screen.

A familiar stretch of coastline, a village street or a local landmark suddenly becomes part of a story being shared with audiences far beyond our own shores.

This November, the Foyle Film Festival returns to Derry, running from Wednesday 18th to Sunday 29th November, bringing together an impressive selection of Irish and international cinema.

For Inishowen audiences, one film in particular has a special local connection.

The Lightkeeper – Inishowen Centre Stage

The Lightkeeper, an Irish-Canadian production filmed extensively around the peninsula, has been selected as the festival’s opening-night feature at Brunswick Moviebowl on Wednesday 18th November at 8pm.

Directed by Canadian filmmaker Vic Sarin, the film features a strong cast including Dominic Cooper, Sarah Bolger, Sarah Gadon and Aidan Quinn, alongside Carndonagh actor Keith McErlean.

Set in Ireland in 1924, the story follows a lighthouse keeper living in emotional isolation following a personal tragedy. His carefully ordered existence begins to change with the arrival of an American widow, opening the door to unexpected friendship, love and healing.

Exploring themes of grief, companionship and human connection, the film promises to be much more than a showcase for our spectacular coastline.

From Malin Head to Culdaff

Filming took place in 2023, when camera crews descended on locations around Inishowen.

Malin Head, with its dramatic cliffs and sweeping Atlantic views, provided a spectacular backdrop, while the village of Culdaff was transformed into a setting from another era.

Culdaff’s main street underwent a period makeover, with vintage vehicles, horse-drawn carriages and actors dressed in early twentieth-century costumes.

McGuinness’ Bar was among the local establishments involved in filming.

Originally titled Cry from the Sea, the production also filmed in other parts of Donegal and Mayo.

Of course, Inishowen is no stranger to the film industry. Malin Head famously featured in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, introducing its breathtaking scenery to an enormous international audience.

What makes these productions particularly valuable is that their benefits extend beyond the finished film.

Visiting crews bring business to local accommodation providers, restaurants and shops, while residents may find opportunities to work as extras or assist behind the scenes.

There is also a lasting sense of pride in seeing our own communities and landscapes represented on screen.

The Lightkeeper premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival in February this year, and its Derry screening offers North West audiences an opportunity to see the finished production close to where much of it was made.

The opening-night event will also feature a discussion with screenwriter Ciaran Creagh, producer Larry Bass and actor Keith McErlean.

Interest has been considerable, with the gala screening already sold out.

More Irish Films to Discover

While The Lightkeeper is a particular highlight for local audiences, the Foyle Film Festival has plenty more Irish storytelling to offer.

Skintown, screening at Brunswick Moviebowl on Thursday 26th November at 6.30pm, stars Derry’s Jamie-Lee O’Donnell alongside Jack Rowan and Chris Walley.

Set in Enniskillen during the summer of 1994, it follows two young friends navigating life against the changing backdrop of Northern Ireland’s Troubles. Combining dark humour, friendship and youthful adventure, the film captures a distinctive period in Irish history.

Jamie-Lee O’Donnell and director Kieron J Walsh are expected to attend for a discussion following the screening.

Another interesting offering is Star of the Sea, an Irish-language documentary screening at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin on Wednesday 25th November at 7pm.

The documentary tells the remarkable story of a youth football team from North Belfast whose achievements on the pitch helped bring people together during the Troubles. It is a story about community, determination and the positive influence sport can have on young lives.

For those who enjoy something darker, Our House screens at the Nerve Centre on Saturday 28th November at 9pm.

Directed by Peter Young, this Irish drama follows three siblings reunited following their mother’s death. What begins as a dispute over the family home develops into something considerably more sinister. A filmmakers’ discussion follows the screening.

Documentary enthusiasts may also enjoy The Siege of Paradise, an Irish-Swiss production showing at the Nerve Centre on Thursday 26th November at 6.30pm.

Set in Italy’s picturesque Cinque Terre region, the documentary explores the effects of mass tourism on local communities, raising interesting questions about travel, tourism and preserving the character of the places we love to visit.

The festival also provides a platform for emerging Irish talent through its Light in Motion short-film competition, with Irish short-film screenings taking place at the Nerve Centre on Sunday 22nd and Sunday 29th November.

These screenings offer audiences a chance to discover the next generation of Irish writers, directors and actors, many of whom are producing remarkable work on limited resources.

The Magic of the Cinema

In an age when almost every film imaginable is available at the touch of a button, it is easy to forget the pleasure of a proper cinema outing.

There is something special about settling into a seat, becoming absorbed in a story and sharing the experience with an audience.

A film can make us laugh, move us to tears, challenge our thinking or introduce us to a world we might otherwise never encounter.

Cinema also has a wonderful ability to bring people together. Whether it’s an evening with friends, a family outing or a chance to enjoy something independently, taking time out for entertainment and a change of scenery can do wonders for our wellbeing.

The Foyle Film Festival is an opportunity to enjoy good storytelling while celebrating creativity here in the North West.

And with The Lightkeeper, it is especially rewarding to see Inishowen’s remarkable landscapes take their place in the spotlight.

For the full festival programme and ticket information, visit www.foylefilmfestival.org.