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 One of the biggest showcases of locally produced films ever held in the North West will be launched this week in the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny. The exhibition highlights 18 short films shot over the past 2 years as part of the IFI supported "Sharing Stories" project, a collaboration between the Regional Cultural Centre and the Nerve Centre in Derry. The exhibition will be officially launched at 7pm on Friday 11th November.
"We have a fantastic line up for the exhibition," says RCC Director Shaun Hannigan. "The project has produced films covering everything from Donegal emigration in the 1940s through to Loyalist pipe bands. The standard of work is superb. It provides a really rich insight into life in Donegal and Derry, both past and present, that should be of interest to everyone, young and old."
 Sharing Stories is a cross-border film project initiated in October 2009 with a particular focus on community, youth and minority groups. Among the films to be highlighted at the exhibition are "Brighter Days", an animation by Letterkenny-native Daniel McGarrigle based on the biography of his grandfather Colm Melly, who emigrated to England in the 1940s and then returned to the North West to raise his family. "Pride" is a
fly-on-the-wall documentary looking at the 'Pride of the Orange and Blue' Flute Band from Newbuildings, looking at a typical summer month in the life of its members as they prepare for the 12th of July celebrations. "Rockhill Remembered" takes an inside look at the social and military story of the battalions stationed at Rockhill House in Letterkenny, while "Rondo Mondo" documents Cafe del Mundo, the hub of Derry's thriving international community.
The exhibition launch on Friday will be followed by a major one-day seminar on 25th November. As part of this seminar the Regional Cultural Centre and the Nerve Centre have set a social media challenge called "Share My Story" to promote two films using only free social and digital media. The seminar will also include presentations from Risteard O'Domhnaill, director of the highly-acclaimed documentary "The Pipe" about he Corrib gas pipeline, and Dr. Cathal McLaughlin of the University of Ulster's film department.
The official opening and wine reception will take place at 7pm on Friday 11th November and everyone is welcome. The "Sharing Stories" exhibition continues until January 28th, 2012. Opening times are Tuesday to Friday 11am to 5pm, Saturday 1pm to 5pm and admission is free. Details of the one-day seminar on 25th November will be announced shortly.
Sharing Stories is funded by the International Fund for Ireland and aims to contribute to positive relationship building and to develop greater understanding and reconciliation between the two main communities and new migrant communities.
Image Captions: First Image; Back to the Source: The film documents an education residency project featuring world-renowned Donegal traditional music group Altan, organised by the Regional Cultural Centre and Donegal County Council Public Art Office. Filmed by David Chernick, Otto Schlindwein, Karen Hosty and Brian McVeigh and directed by Jeremy Howard. The film is part of the IFI supported “Sharing Stories” project, a collaboration between the Regional Cultural Centre and the Nerve Centre in Derry.
Second Image: Frontiersmen: Directed by Fionn Kidney and produced by Derek O Connor this film explores the lives of some Donegal folk living on the fringes of what might be considered ‘conventional’ employment. The film is part of the IFI supported “Sharing Stories” project, a collaboration between the Regional Cultural Centre and the Nerve Centre in Derry.
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