Special screening marks growing film community in Longford

AWARD-winning Irish actor Moe Dunford has helped draw a growing audience to Longford’s emerging film community, following a special screening of Patrick’s Day as part of the Harp Cinema Series.

Moe attended the screening of the acclaimed Irish film at PV’s on Ballymahon Street on September 16, where he took part in an in-person Q&A discussing his breakthrough performance, career to date and his forthcoming collaboration with Longford production company Harp Media.

The event was the second instalment of the year-long Harp Cinema Series, which aims to bring acclaimed Irish films and filmmaker Q&As to audiences in Longford.

“It was a great night, and we had a great turnout,” said Harp Media co-founder Robert Higgins. “It was the second one of the cinema series we're doing and it seems to be going great so we're getting a bit of a community going and Moe really enjoyed it.”

Moe will next appear on screen in Saint’s Island, a new feature film being written and directed by Robert and fellow Harp Media co-founder Patrick McGivney. The film is due to begin shooting in Longford this November, with Moe taking on one of the lead roles.

Robert said the production is progressing well, with Moe having already spent time in the county with the cast. “We were lucky enough to have him down a couple of days with the rest of the cast to workshop and get used to where we’re shooting in and around Longford,” he added.

“It’s coming together nicely and we’re sorting our locations, and we’re getting great support as well from the local community with that.”

Robert said the production will have a particular focus on showcasing Longford’s landscape, with a significant portion of the film being shot around Granard.

“We want to really show off the breadth of the whole county so we intend to go all over really,” he explained.

“Rural stories are at the heart of everything we do,” concluded Robert. We’re really passionate about telling stories about where we’re from.”