FILM-MAKERS ARE being urged to emulate Charlie Chaplin in a movie festival competition announced last night.
The official launch of the Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival took place in the Origin Gallery in Dublin.
The festival will take place each August in Waterville, the Co Kerry seaside town which has strong links with Chaplin and his family.
Chaplin’s grandson Julien Ronet, who was reared in Ireland and in France and now works as a cameraman, described
his grandfather as a multi-talented genius.
Chaplin also wrote music, despite having no formal education in the area.
“He means an awful lot to me,” Ronet said.
The festival judges will look for entries that, like Chaplin’s films, offer social commentary, try to innovate, and include some kind of pioneering aspect or spirit.
The winning entries will each be given an award known as The Charlie.
Chairman of the festival Albert Walsh said organisers had already had a great show of interest from here and abroad.
Further information is posted on the festival website at charliechaplinfilmfestival.com