Anna Kopecká to take on three-year role from January 2020
Cork Film Festival, Ireland’s first and largest film festival, has announced Anna Kopecká as the new Director of Programming of the Festival. She will take up the three-year contract in January 2020, following the conclusion of Michael Hayden’s successful three year tenure as Programme Director at the Festival, and the 64th edition running from 7-17 November 2019.
The artistic director for Prague International Film Festival, Febiofest for the past three years, Anna Kopecká has also served as Artistic Director and later, Festival Director, for international cinematography film festival Ostrava Kamera Oko in the Czech Republic. Founder of the film production company Girl and Gun, Anna is also the current festival coordinator for Czech film production company První veřejnoprávní.
Festival Director and CEO of Cork Film Festival, Fiona Clark said: “Building on our growth and success in recent years, we have ambitious plans in place for the Festival, which includes our 65th anniversary in 2020. We are delighted that Anna will join us as Director of Programming at this exciting time, to drive forward the artistic vision for the Festival. Her contribution at the Prague International Film Festival was innovative and inspiring, marrying the twin aspects of a local event with a global reach, making her the perfect fit for Cork Film Festival as we continue to present a film festival of international quality and standing that connects audiences and artists through dynamic programmes, in a shared cultural experience in Cork.”
Commenting on her appointment, Anna said: “I am very proud to become a member of such a vibrant team at the Cork Film Festival, and to contribute to developing this renowned festival. I look forward to working with the Festival Director Fiona Clark, the Board, and all the Festival team to bring artistically daring and socially engaged films to Cork, and to enhance our position on the international festival circuit whilst celebrating the Festival’s unique Cork personality. I believe we will also be able to attract new audiences to join us for an exceptional experience that only cinema and Cork Film Festival can give.”
Anna will take up the role in January 2020, joining the team to curate, manage and deliver the 2020 Festival programme.
Welcoming the appointment, Chair of Cork Film Festival, Helen Boyle said: “Anna is highly regarded in the film industry and has an outstanding track record in festival programming. We are delighted to welcome Anna to Cork and we look forward to working with her in the coming years, as she plays a significant role in developing and delivering Cork Film Festival’s artistic policy and programming ambitions.”
Commending Michael Hayden on his time with Cork Film Festival, Helen added: “Since 2017, Michael has rigorously driven the curation of three hugely successful festivals as our Programme Director, leading to a 22% increase in audience engagement at the Festival last year, and 20,000 attendees anticipated for 2019. On behalf of the Festival Board, I want to thank him for delivering such strong artistic direction and pay tribute to his skill and passion in showcasing the very best international and Irish films — embracing award-winners from festivals worldwide, whilst fiercely championing new talent.”
Highlights of this year’s extended 11-day Festival, running from 7–17 November, are five Galas, commencing with the Opening Gala Ordinary Love, directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn. The Irish premiere of Feras Fayyad’s gripping film on war-torn Syria The Cave is the Documentary Gala (15 Nov), while the Irish Gala is Aoife Crehan’s comedy-drama debut The Last Right (14 Nov). The Family Gala is Disney’s long-awaited Frozen 2 (17 Nov) directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, and concluding the Festival is the Closing Gala, Małgorzata Szumowska’s The Other Lamb. In all, there are more than 300 events for the 2019 Festival, with 90% of features, documentaries and shorts receiving their Irish premiere in Cork. For more information see corkfilmfest.org.
Cork Film Festival is proudly supported by Principal Funder the Arts Council, along with Cork City Council, Screen Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Screen Skills Ireland, Culture Ireland, Creative Ireland, Fundraising Fellowship Ireland, ESB Energy for Generations Fund and Creative Europe Media. Principal Venue Partner is The Gate Cinemas; Principal Accommodation Partner is The River Lee; and Principal Drinks Partner is Murphy’s.
