The Chicago Irish Film Festival opens Friday, Mar. 6 at the Beverly Arts Center (BAC), 2407 W. 111th St. (111th Street south on Western Avenue), Chicago, with a reception at 7 p.m. followed by a program of short films in celebration of the festival's 10th anniversary. The Festival continues through Wed., Mar. 11, screening features, classics, documentaries and short films that are among the best recent works by Irish and Irish American filmmakers and producers.

"We decided to open our tenth anniversary Chicago Irish Film Festival with a program of shorts because they have always been popular with our festival audiences," said Chicago Irish Film Festival Director Judith Blackburn. "Irish filmmakers make brilliant shorts -- from amusing to unsettling - and they are terrific entertainment. The shorts we're showcasing this year are especially excellent."

The opening night short program includes the Academy Award-nominated "New Boy," a relevatory story about being the new kid in school as seen through the eyes of a 9-year-old African boy; "Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty," a cleverly animated bedtime story guaranteed to leave you sleepless awarded Best Irish Short Film (animated) at the Galway Film Fleadh; and "The Door," a breath-stopping 17 minutes about a father trying to come to terms with the devastating effects of the Chernobyl disaster, and winner of several international awards including Clair Lynch Award at the Cork Film Festival and Gold Medal at Zinebi Film Festival, Balboa Spain.
The festival kicks off with a concert by Irish rock band Black 47 following the screening of the documentary "Black 47 . . . The Story So Far" (2007) on Thurs., Mar. 5. The film will be screened at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m.
Named for the bleakest year of the Irish Potato Famine, Black 47 is known for its unblinkingly political and thoroughly Irish style of rock 'n' roll, with songs covering issues from the Northern Ireland conflict to civil rights and urban unrest in contemporary New York. "Black 47 ... The Story So Far" uses rare live footage, interviews with the band and fans, and MTV to document the band's remarkable career.

The Ploughman's Lunch featuring Karl Mullen, Jennier Goree, and Hugh Watkins, will perform acoustic Celtic soul during the Chicago Irish Film Festival Opening Reception, 7 p.m., Fri., Mar. 6. Mullen, programmer for NPR's World Cafe, broadcast from Philadephia Public Radio, is a renowned artist and will also show and sell six of his original works, donating a portion of the proceeds to the Beverly Arts Center. Opening night is sponsored by Miller Lite and Heineken, provided through Hayes Beer Distributors, and includes special guests, buffet and open bar. The short film screening begins at 8:30 p.m.

More than 25 films including features, classics, documentaries, Irish language and short films made by Irish and Irish American filmmakers and producers will be showcased during the Festival's six days of screenings, receptions, and special programs.

Festival highlights include:

Sea Fever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCFg_f6qmPc

The Informer

Fight or Flight

The Linear Adventures of Your Average Joe

He Dies at the End