VIEWING SESSIONS 2012 brochure - Access Cinema

Welcome to viewing:sessions
access›cinema
This year marks the 35th birthday of our organisation
and while this year’s viewing:sessions may be a little
bit later than usual, the importance of the weekend
as an occasion to facilitate the coming together
of those concerned with cultural cinema to watch
films, network and discuss relevant issues, has not
diminished over the years. During these uncertain and
challenging times we should embrace and celebrate
the longevity of our organisation and the fact that the
work you all do in relation to cultural cinema in your
local communities still has a particular relevance and
importance in the cultural landscape of today’s Ireland.
We acknowledge, however, that in recent years that
work has become increasingly difficult as the full
impact of the economic downturn takes hold. Over the
past year a number of initiatives have sought to help
organisations to develop and maintain audiences for
cultural cinema. The Audience Development session
co-hosted with the Arts Council and Arts Audiences
on Friday afternoon will provide an update on these
initiatives and a unique opportunity for organisations
involved in programming cultural cinema to engage,
discuss and share experiences and ideas around
developing and growing their audiences.
I am always happy that viewing:sessions gives me an
opportunity to publicly thank those who support our
organisation. Thanks are due to the film distributors,
filmmakers and the Irish Film Board for their continued
support of viewing:sessions and access›cinema.
I’d also like to thank Maretta Dillon and Neil Connolly
who worked on the programme notes for this brochure,
but acknowledgement is also due for their individual
work on the upcoming Films From the Southern
Mediterranean Tour and the Digitisation Scheme
of last year.
I also wish to thank Declan McLoughlin of the Limerick
Film Archive for the archival treasures that will be
screened during the weekend. Declan, with help from
George Keegan of Ballyvaughan Film Society, is also
responsible for the exhibition of old Federation of Irish
Film Societies and National Viewing Session documents
that are on display in the Belltable — be sure to dip into
the history of our organisation over the next few days.
As always my colleagues deserve a special mention.
Thanks to David, Karen and Maria, as well as Siobhan
and Ann-Marie who left us recently. Please take the
time over the weekend to thank the staff for their hard
work throughout the year and get to know the newer
members of the team. I would also like to acknowledge
the ongoing support of the Board of access›cinema.
We are delighted to be back in Limerick for
viewing:sessions after such a long time. Many thanks
are due to Gerry Barnes and all of the staff at the
Belltable Arts Centre for their help with this year’s event.
Please enjoy everything that the recently renovated
Belltable space has to offer particularly the new digital
projection facilities. This year we also have the pleasure
of working with Colin McKeown and his team at Cinema
North West and very much appreciate all of their help.
Special thanks are due to Paul McBride and all of
his team who designed this brochure and all of our
other promotional material during the year to the
usual high standard.
Finally, we acknowledge and appreciate the Arts
Council’s ongoing support of access›cinema’s
activities and objectives.
Happy viewing.
Maeve Cooke | director
access›cinema
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