The 2020 Chicago Irish Film Festival kicks off with the US premiere of Guns & Rosaries, the 2019 documentary directed by award winning BBC filmmaker Peter Kelly, February 27 at Chicago’s Theatre on the Lake.
Narrated by Martin Sheen, Guns & Rosaries is a “fascinating documentary about Father Patrick Peyton, the Irish-American priest who brought Hollywood celebrities and millions across the globe to their knees in praying the Rosary.”
The evening begins with a reception, drinks, and hor d’oeuvres at 7 p.m. The film screens at 8 p.m.
The event will also launch CIFF’s 21st annual celebration of films created by artists living in or descended from The Land of Story Telling.
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Program highlights
This year’s four-day program features more than 50 films. Among them are award-winning and independent features, documentaries, and shorts from Ireland and the United States as well as Australia, Canada, Northern Ireland, England, Palestine and Tanzania.
Closing night will feature the 2019 documentary, Gaza, “a delicate portrait of Palestinian life through 17-year-old Karma Khaial immersed in the heart of Gaza,” directed by Sundance award nominees Garry Keane and Andrew McConnell.
Other highlights include four short film programs, one of which is a Family Shorts Program for children ages nine and up. Filmmakers are also scheduled to attend throughout the festival.
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Tickets
CIFF offers ticket discounts to seniors, students and children as well as Festival Passes. For more information, click here. CIFF also offers special ticket opportunities on its social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
Venues
THEATRE ON THE LAKE
2401 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
THE LOGAN THEATRE
2646 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
SOCIETY FOR ARTS Gallery Theatre
1112 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
WILMETTE THEATRE
1122 Central Avenue, Wilmette
CIFF screenings are presented in partnership with the Consul General if Ireland-Chicago, Ireland Network – Chicago, and IFI-International & Culture Ireland. Their mission is to strategically build an audience for Irish film through worldwide cultural exhibition.
Send your festival news to Reel Chicago Editor Dan Patton, dan@reelchicago.com.
