ONCE UPON A TIME IN CONNEMARA screen THE SAWDOCTORS IN BEAUTIFUL KID filmmakers Patrick McCullagh and Michael Carty with Peter Flynn (center), Director of the Boston Irish Film Festival at Jurys Hotel in Boston.

This year's line up includes: BLOOM, Sean Walsh's much-anticipated and highly-acclaimed award-winning adaptation of James Joyce's Ulysses. HEADRUSH, the hit crime comedy from director Shimmy Marcus, SCENES FROM A TOUR, a documentary on the celebrated Irish band The Hothouse Flowers. The festival will also screen THE SAWDOCTORS IN CONCERT, Steven Lock's concert film of the band live in Galway.

Gabriel Byrne

Connecticut filmmakers Patrick McCullough and Michael Carty will be in Boston for the screening of their film BEAUTIFUL KID. Nominated and winner of a bevy of awards, the film's review in Variety by Ronnie Scheib: "A rare non-moralizing look at growing up working class Irish in the Bronx…. the script reps astonishing integrity and total lack of artifice," created a stir for the filmmakers. A story of characters imprisoned by their addiction, this initial effort is looking like a "break out" film for the auters.

Also showcased will be this year's BIFF Award winners: Best Feature: TIMBUKTU (Director: Alan Gilsenan, Producers: Martin Mahon, John McDonnell, Emma Scott. Best Documentary: CINEGAEL PARADISO: ONCE UPON A TIME IN CONNEMARA (Director: Robert Quinn, Producers: David McLoughlin, Claire Scully). Best Short Fiction/Animation: THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ROSE (Director: Maurice Joyce, Producers: Russell Boland, Ruth Fielding). Special Jury Prize - Best Debut: NEWS FOR THE CHURCH (Director: Andrew McCarthy, Producer: John Scaccia). Director's Choice: SPIN THE BOTTLE (Director: Ian Fitzgibbon, Producer: Michael Garland). All films will be screened at the Brattle Theatre and Harvard Film Archive in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.

Details can be found online at www.irishfilmfestival.com or by contacting festival director Peter Flynn at irishunex@earthlink.net.