Liam Neeson and Terence Mulligan
Exclusive Q&A by Brad Balfour, Arts Editor
Craicfest founder Terence Mulligan did something I always felt should be done more often mix music and movies. Over the years, I’ve seen a number of fine films before anyone else had shown them so it seemed like a good time to as Mulligan about the fest over the years. Here’s a set of questions and his responses below.
Q: Where do you find your films and what sources do you use?
Terence Mulligan: CraicFest has few ways we curate films. We have film submissions. We attend various film festival such as Galway Film Fleadh. We are the premier Irish film fest in the U.S. since 1999 so alot of it is word of mouth. Producers and Distributors come to use now looking to showcase their film at CraicFest in NYC as they know the films will get major media exposure. We do find a gem every year from submissions and this year it was Ballroom Boom which is almost sold out. Our Closing night film is narrated by Adam Clayton, U2’s bassist. It’s also the world premiere.
Q: What do you prefer more: music or films?
Terence Mulligan: Both. That was the idea from day one in 1999 when it was Film Fleadh. 10 years later we added music and CraicFest was born. There’s always been a bit of a dichotomy with the music and films. It gave us another dimension and brought in more of a mainstream audience to the films as we have booked legendary music acts over the years such as Rubber Bandits. LOAH, and recently Kneecap. We have a great film lineup March 5-7. One of the fun programs this year that is getting alot of buzz if our Best of Shorts and After Party at Factory 380. It’s a fun night (March 6) with local filmmakers and great Craic after and festival goers get to meet filmmakers and network. Absolutely Tabasco is presenting the event as well
Q: What films have been your favorites over the years?
Terence Mulligan: Well you always remember your first. Opening night 1999 McCourts of NY. HBO gave us $10,000 & threw an opening party at the DGA theater. We jumped the shark that night. In Brugge’s was a tipping point because I met Colin Farrell at Sundance. I told him you gotta show up at CraicFest as we were hosting the film opening night that year. Colin was great. It changed the perception of the film festival as studios started taking CraicFest more seriously thanks to his involvement. Also the FDNY pipe band doc that was just a mental night. FDNY’s Pipe Band showed up. Great Craic that night!
Q: What music or bands has been your favorites over the years?
Terence Mulligan: So many. Foy Vance and Damien Dempsey put us on the music map, Foy is such a soulful and unique voice. Dam-0 had the Flu on the way over and we weren’t sure if he was going on. It was an epic show for sure, Also Loah because she has such a unique voice. She’s a class act so great to work with.
Q: How did you get started with this festival?
Terence Mulligan: It started in 1999. I left my job in advertising. I was an MC at NYC Comedy Club and working as a doorman at Club Macanudo when the idea came to my to start an Irish festival. The original idea was film, music and comedy. We started with a film fest (Film Fleadh) in 1999. Music was added 10 years later. Now we do a Craic Comedy Fest every Spring (next Comedy Fest is may 29 at The Wolfhound in Astoria)
Q: Were you always interested in the intersection of the Irish experience and the arts
Terence Mulligan: Absolutely, It’s in my DNA. The “intersection” that’s a bit of a metaphor isn’t where the two worlds of music and film collide. We’ve been blessed with so many talented artist over the years at CraicFest since 1999. CraicFest has always been about the “experience” btw we were the festival to first bring over The Coronas, LOAH, Rubber Bandits and Kneecap. We’d love to have Aaron Rowe next year he’s brilliant
Q: Do you ever want to make it longer than three days?
Terence Mulligan: It’s four days now actually. It was two weekends year ago but the world change (visas and COVID etc) and so did the business model. It made more sense to combine the festival into 4 days in a row which was one of the best decisions we made years ago. It’s a 4 day sprint now
Q: How do you pick the locations for screening and music?
Terence Mulligan: We’ve always liked downtown for the energy and the vibe in NYC. Logistics play a key role. For example we have film after parties near the cinema such as Solas and Factory 380 that are not too far from the cinema
Q: What were your expectations when you began?
Terence Mulligan: Sold out shows every night. Now the expectations is to reach more of a general audience in NYC and yes, sell out every show.
Q: Do you envision ways to expand Craicfest?
Terence Mulligan: We have been approached a few times to take it on the road as a tour in a few cities. Also a CraicFest in Belfast was brought to me a few years ago which is could work with the right sponsorship and the right music acts. As far as CraicFest in NYC goes we are an iconic brand now but the Craic will always be about “a good time” (musically and cinematically speaking)