Bealtaine Film Retrospective

This Age & Opportunity/ Bealtaine commissioned documentary short film, directed by Cathy Dunne and produced by Maggie Ryan, provides an intimate exploration of the older LGBTQIA+ community living in Ireland. The contributors speak openly and honestly about what resonates with them, not only from their past but their future. What transpired was the capturing of joys and sorrows that continue to shape their lives from love to hope, health and concerns for the safeguarding of their future, as well as the never-ending possibility of accepting and becoming your true self regardless of your age. Commissioned by Age & Opportunity. The film was principally funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth through the 2020 LGBTI+ Community Services Funding Call Scheme B, with support from The Arts Council.

United by the bonds of family and compounded by the pressures of society, two women are caught in a cycle of care, loyalty, tension and intimacy. This short dance film by Shaun Dunne and Jessica Kennedy explores the complexities of care and the frustrations of being cared for. Performed by two acclaimed dancers Robyn Byrne and Finola Cronin, with cinematography by Luca Truffarelli and music by Denis Clohessy. Funded by The Arts Council of Ireland Commission Award and Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival.

A lesson in laughter and life, Pom Boyd’s The Windy Lady invites you to share the contents of her mind, her shopping bag and her biscuit tin. Witty, warm and delightfully irreverent, The Windy Lady is a subversive and charming celebration of animals, old-womanhood and ordinary life. Presented in partnership with Axis Ballymun. Supported by the Arts Council. Additional support by the Irish Theatre Institute.

The key was always in the door is a filmpoem which was commissioned for the Bealtaine festival in partnership with The Glucksman, University College Cork. For Bealtaine 2019, artist Collette Nolan and poet Gerry Murphy have collaborated closely with members of the Ballyphehane/Togher Community to produce a film and writings that question ideas around hospitality, home and the practice of “hosting” or being “hosted” – in the context of the community’s personal situations. The community has generated the ‘content’ of the work in tandem with the artist and writer through collaborative workshops hosted by The Glucksman. The workshops included writing, storytelling, film and photography.

In the first Bealtaine commission of its kind, Home was a collaborative project by poet Enda Wyley & visual artist Anita Groener working with Dún Laoghaire Active Retirement Group. Employing immersive imagery interwoven with text, this filmpoem interprets tales of home and belonging rooted in the conversations and generous sharing from the community collaborators. Home is a Bealtaine Festival commission supported by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

Age & Opportunity is the national organisation working to enhance wellbeing for older people through participation in sport and physical activity, arts and creative engagement, personal development, community collaboration and active citizenship.

The Bealtaine Festival, an Age & Opportunity Arts initiative, is one of our flagship events. The festival continues to grow with the support and collaboration of our partners and hundreds of organisers throughout the country, as well as all those who attend a Bealtaine event. We are grateful to all those who organised events and look forward to another creative and inspiring year of Bealtaine Festival.

Bealtaine Festival is an Age & Opportunity arts initiative funded by the Arts Council and the HSE.