Docs on display in Donegal

REELNEW: The excellent Guth Gafa International Documentary Festival kicks off in Gortahork, Co Donegal, today.

REELNEW:The excellent Guth Gafa International Documentary Festival kicks off in Gortahork, Co Donegal, today.

More than half of this year's films fall into the categories of social action, environment and human rights, says co-directors Neasa Ní Chianáin and David Rane. The three main strands in these areas this year are Terrorism on Trial, Small Actions vs Big Powers and Getting the Message on Climate.

Highlights include Donor Unknown, an investigation of the sperm-donor business, Men of Arlington, an award-winning study of the London-Irish community, and Vodka Factory, Jerzy Sladkowski's gritty analysis of current Russian discontents.

The festival also finds time to present screenings to school students. On this occasion, lucky young people will get a chance to enjoy the splendid Jig, a celebration of competitive Irish dancing, and the Canadian portmanteau piece Little Films from a Big Country.

The festival runs until June 14th. See guthgafa.com.

Donald Clarke

Donald Clarke

Donald Clarke, a contributor to The Irish Times, is Chief Film Correspondent and a regular columnist