INUSA announces films to be shown at inaugural film festival during national conference

INUSA Announces Films to Be Shown At Inaugural Film Festival During National Conference in Austin, Texas

Irish Network USA has announced the selection of two award winning feature films to be shown at their inaugural film festival on September 13, 2014. Doors will open at 2:45pm at the historic Alamo Drafthouse Ritz Cinema in Austin, Texas, for screenings of "Rebuilding the World Trade Center" and "The Irish Pub Film". Both films will be followed by Q&A sessions with the filmmakers who will be participating remotely.

“We spent a great amount of time considering what films would best fit within the mission of Irish Network USA, and with ‘Rebuilding the World Trade Center’ and ‘The Irish Pub Film’ we’ve found them,” stated Steve Lenox, President of Irish Network USA. “Every one of our members can relate to the stories being told in these films, furthering our ‘boots to suits’ approach to engaging the Diaspora across the US.”

“Storytelling is a critical element in the life of the Irish, one that extends through the generations, no matter how far removed they may be from living within the borders of an island we all still refer to as home,” stated Deirdre Woodbyrne, Executive Director or Irish Network USA. “These films continue that tradition, and we know that as the credits roll and the lights come up on our inaugural film festival our members will feel closer to their heritage, and more engaged than ever.”

"Rebuilding the World Trade Center" by Belfast filmmaker and artist Marcus Robinson, is a culmination of ten years of work using 35 mm time-lapse film intertwined with a series of lithographs, drawings and oil paintings capturing life on the World Trade Center Site. Documenting the redevelopment of Ground Zero, from the perspective of the tradesmen and tradeswomen working there, the film gives an inside look at the motivation and commitment of those who have taken on the task of rebuilding on one of the most hallowed grounds in the world.

Alex Fegan's "The Irish Pub Film" tells the stories of some of the most traditional pubs in Ireland, and the characters and memories within their walls. “We tell the story through the eyes and anecdotes of publicans whose pubs have been in their families for at least three generations, we learn of family & community, jokes & songs, life & loss, and more,” Fegan said. He continued, "I'm really thrilled for my film to be included as part of the inaugural INUSA Film Festival! Having worked with several of the Irish Network Chapters this year, I've realized what brilliant work they do to help promote Irish art and artists around America. We couldn't be more grateful to Irish Network for the welcome and support we received at film festivals and other events we attended."

For further information on the pubs and the film, please visit www.irishpubfilm.com.

More about Marcus' film and artwork can be found by on his website at www.marcusrobinsonart.com

Tickets for the Irish Network Film Festival are $15.00 and can be purchased in advance at the Irish Network USA website.

The festival will take place as part of INUSA’s National Conference to be held September 11-14 in Austin, Texas. To learn more about the conference click here. Follow Irish Network USA on twitter @IrishNetworkUSA and the annual conference at #INUSA14.