{"id":32401,"date":"2026-02-12T06:11:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T11:11:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=32401"},"modified":"2026-02-21T10:04:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T15:04:32","slug":"the-ny-irish-center-presents-fis-nua-new-vision-americas-first-irish-language-film-festival-in-february","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=32401","title":{"rendered":"The NY Irish Center Presents \u201cF\u00eds Nua\/New Vision\u201d \u2014 America\u2019s first Irish Language Film Festival In February"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Scene from “The Quiet Girl”<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Preview by Brad Balfour, Arts Editor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few years ago, the film world was surprised by the ascension of so many Irish actors, directors, below-the-line folks and even a bunch of choice locations (witness the locations used in \u201cThe Game of Thrones\u201d).  Now following such an auspicious series of acknowledgments, it seemed like a good time to plan a film festival of Irish language films. Yes, films in Gaelic, the original talk of inhabitants of the Emerald Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the British started occupying their next-door neighbor, part of their plans to oppress the population and its cohesion was to ban its native language. For decades, Gaelic was suppressed both North and South. But once the Republic of Ireland emerged, there were efforts to reestablish its native tongue. Nowadays, the Irish regale in their language, learning it as kids with a region in the West country where Gaelic is the primary language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now New York\u2019s booming community of Irish speakers, learners and the Irish-curious will have a reason to convene since the NY Irish Center (NYIC) will host America\u2019s first Irish language film festival \u2014 \u201cF\u00eds Nua\/New Vision\u201d \u2014 this February, Thu 19th to Sat, the 21st. The seven recently produced Irish-language feature-length and short films will unspool for the three-day festival. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It begins on Thursday, Feb 19, at 7pm, with the Festival Kickoff which includes a panel discussion and reception. The distinguished Irish language radio contributor, Caoimhe Nic Giollarn\u00e1ith, moderates the panel. It will discuss the role that media and entertainment have played in the revival of the Irish language, with the perspective on TG4\u2019s pivotal role in broadening the appeal. (In English and Irish)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then on Fri Feb 20 at 7pm, the Opening Night Film will be the Oscar-nominated \u201cThe Quiet Girl.\u201d (Best International Feature Film in 2023), directed by Colm Bair\u00e9ad. This masterfully crafted film about a neglected 9-year-old girl who finds a loving home with distant relatives on a farm in County Waterford, was called \u201ca jewel\u201d by The Guardian. The highly acclaimed film was seen in limited release in\u00a0New\u00a0York\u00a0and LA in 2022. The February screening will be preceded by\u00a0a brief retrospective\u00a0of Bair\u00e9ad\u2019s road to the Oscar nomination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, Feb 21 from 2 to 4pm is the Children\u2019s Afternoon featuring \u201cL\u00ed Ban\u201d and \u201cSong of the Sea.\u201d
A treat for youngsters and families, two episodes from\u00a0new\u00a0TG4 animated series:\u00a0\u201cL\u00ed Ban\u201d\u00a0screens which It follows a 12-year-old and her dog on a magical journey to the sea. Then, courtesy of the Oscar-nominated production studio Cartoon Saloon \u201cSong of the Sea\u201d\u00a0directed by\u00a0Tomm Moore with be shown.

That same day, at 7pm, will be a Double Feature \u2013- \u201cAg Taisteal Siar\u201d and a locally made short film \u201cAn Chathair Mh\u00f3r.\u201d M\u00e9abh O\u2019Hare\u2019s fascinating documentary\u00a0\u201cAg Taisteal Siar\u201d\u00a0explores the\u00a0rich musical heritage of\u00a0Ireland\u2019s Traveller community — a driving force in the\u00a0Irish\u00a0music scene since the 1960s ballad boom. It\u2019s full of spellbinding performances and interviews with such legends as Kathleen Keenan, Sarah Dunne, Sharyn Ward, Niamh Dunne and Steo Wall.

The Festival\u2019s closing night includes the locally made short by Cian O\u2019Connor,\u00a0\u201cAn Chathair Mh\u00f3r.\u201d Filmed in Woodlawn in The Bronx, and produced with a primarily\u00a0Irish\u00a0cast and crew, O\u2019Connor tells the touching story of a young man who travels\u00a0to\u00a0New\u00a0York\u00a0from\u00a0Ireland. There he rediscovers his love for Gaeilige, through minding his grand-aunt Breda in her last days.

\u201cFis Nua\/New\u00a0Vision\u201d is produced in partnership with\u00a0Ireland\u2019s premier\u00a0Irish\u00a0language broadcaster, TG4,\u00a0which is celebrated for being a hub for\u00a0Irish\u00a0language and culture globally. On the air since 1996, TG4 is a free channel available in over 80% of\u00a0Irish\u00a0households. It\u2019s video on demand service recorded 4.3M video views in 2024, a 23% increase over the previous year.\u00a0

Said TG4\u2019s commissioning editor Proinsias N\u00ed Ghr\u00e1inne, \u201cWe’re delighted to partner with the New York Irish Center on the first edition of ‘F\u00eds Nua.\u2019 This collaboration reflects TG4’s commitment to make Irish language content available to audiences across the globe. We hope this festival will go on to strengthen transatlantic artistic exchange and deepen the creative bridge between Ireland and American filmmaking communities.\u201d

To see and hear the station go to: www.tg4.ie

Staged at the\u00a0NY\u00a0Irish\u00a0Center, it\u2019s a hub for culture and community enrichment serving diverse constituencies throughout\u00a0New\u00a0York\u00a0City. The Queens based center serves over 25,000 annually\u00a0\u2013\u2013 from toddlers, young people, seniors, immigrants, arts lovers, and\u00a0New\u00a0York\u2019s ever-evolving\u00a0Irish\u00a0diaspora.\u00a0The bustling location is now\u00a0celebrating its 21st anniversary during this 2025-26 season.

All films are shown with English subtitles.\u00a0

Festival Passes are $40, with Day Passes on sale for just $15.

Tickets are currently on sale at\u00a0www.newyorkirishcenter.org
\u00a0<\/p>\n

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