Catalyst International Film Festival will celebrate a modern Ireland

Catalyst International Film Festival returns to Limerick for its 4th edition this March and festival. Pictured above are the 2022 Screenplay Finalists.

Catalyst International Film Festival is Ireland’s flagship festival addressing under-representation in the film industry

Catalyst International Film Festival returns to Limerick for its 4th edition this March and festival ambassador, Ruth Negga hopes the film festival will act as a “celebration” of modern Ireland’s exciting stories.

Based in Limerick City, Catalyst International Film Festival is Ireland’s flagship festival addressing under-representation in the film industry. 

“I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to be an Ambassador for the Catalyst International Film Festival in Limerick,” said Ruth Negga, Catalyst International Film Festival Ambassador.

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The actor added, “I feel that the Catalyst International Film Festival can and will act as a compass, a beacon, a buoyant celebration of the multitude of exciting stories that are brimming in modern Ireland.”

Catalyst International Film Festival organisers note the importance of festivals such as Catalyst in highlighting under-representation in the film industry as according to the USC Annenberg Inclusion initiative in 202, only 28.8% of all speaking characters in the top 100 films were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups.

Also in 2020, only 32% of all speaking characters in the top 100 films of the year were women.

In the same year, only 2.7% of all speaking characters in the top 100 films had disabilities.

According to GLAAD’s Studio Responsibilty Index, in 2020, only 2.6% of all speaking characters in the top 100 films were LGBTQ+.

A release from the Catalyst International Film Festival read, “These are just a few commonly cited statistics and demonstrate that there is still a long way to go in terms of representation in film, and that underrepresented groups continue to be underrepresented on screen.”

Catalyst aims to help celebrate diverse perspectives, including those from underrepresented communities, by highlighting films that represent a wide range of experiences and perspectives.

The 4th edition of the festival runs from March 30 to April 1, presenting films, panel discussions, masterclasses, networking events and workshops in venues across the city. There will be a very special Award Ceremony Reception on Saturday, March 31 and The Belltable will be the main screening hub for this year’s festival.

Thursday, March 30 has a full programme for 2nd Level Students, a fantastic opportunity to gain expert insight and practical experience – the School Programme is already available to book, you’ll find full details here:

Catalyst is calling on all Limerick communities to come and support the work of minority groups in the industry.  The Full Programme will be announced at the start of March and tickets will be available on the website.

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