Kino event will give local filmmakers platform for their work

Aspiring filmmakers, directors and actors will get a rare opportunity to show their work at a three-day event to be held in Mullingar next week. Kino Westmeath will take place in Columbia bar on Mount Street from September 18 to 20.

The Westmeath Filmmakers Collective, in partnership with KinoD, Westmeath Arts Office and Wolfshire Productions, are holding the 48 hour filmmaking challenge.

“The whole point is to destigmatise filmmaking – we are just trying to communicate your vision,” Liam Hall Walshe of the Westmeath Filmmakers Collective explained.

“I would encourage people to get involved in the Mullingar event”, he said, adding that this is the first time such an event has come to Westmeath.

The event is open to everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned experts, anyone that is willing to get involved in the filmmaking process.

“On Wednesday September 18, you can pitch any short film idea and we’ll do our best to bring it to fruition,” Liam said.

Filming will take place on the following day and Friday will be dedicated to editing and screening the short films.

The event will kick off at 7.30pm on Wednesday when you can pitch your idea for a film to the whole group. This will be followed by networking in the lab when you can meet other filmmakers, team up, brainstorm and attach yourself to the projects in which you are interested.

Thursday will be a shoot day when the lab will be open from 10am to 11pm for teams to meet up, leave their gear or just hang out. The finished films will be screened to the public on Friday, free of charge.