10th Adaptation Film Weekend takes place in Manorhamilton

Preparations are in hand by Bandit Films and The Glens Centre for this year's 10th Adaptation Film Weekend in Manorhamilton, taking place on September 22-24.

Opening on Culture Night, the festival is coming to the town's newly refurbished Main Street and Market Square with an open-air screening of Jimmy's Hall, ten years after Ken Loach shot the film in the landscapes of North Leitrim.

There is new work screening in the Glens Centre with the family-friendly animated film A Greyhound of a Girl from the pen of Roddy Doyle and voice-work from Brendan Gleeson; the West of Ireland features strongly in Christian O'Reilly's Galway-set film comedy Sanctuary performed by the mixed abilities group Blue Teapot Theatre company based in the city.

There is new film work adapted from playwright Marina Carr in Songs of Blood and Destiny; Keith Hopper from ATU will be talking about the work of Elizabeth Bowen and her adapted novels, The War of Independence "Big House" set The Last September and the second world war London classic The Heat of the Day (in Fulacht Fiadh café).

Bob Quinn, who put Irish-language filmmaking on the map in the 1970s, will be in town to screen The Bishop's Story (featuring Donal McCann).

Adaptation has teamed up with Creative Heartlands to commission four new adapted short films from among the region's filmmaking community. 

Also, on Saturday, there will be a gathering for the region's growing community of filmmakers with National Talent Academies and Creative Heartlands.

Actor Gary Lydon will present his films Lakelands (from Longford duo Robert Collins and Patrick McGivney) and The Last September and present a masterclass in Acting for the Screen.

In recognition of the festival's growing reputation and that of the Glens Centre, RTE's Arena Arts Programme broadcasts from the Centre this Friday, coinciding with the festival's opening.

For more information, please see www.adaptation.ie or www.theglenscentre.com.