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Irish Independent
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Ready to reel at Boyne International Film Festival
Now in its fourth year, the festival is co-curated by local filmmaker Frank W. Kelly and Droichead Arts Centre Director Collette Farrell, and supported by LOVE Drogheda BIDS. This year's programme continues the festival's mission to champion Irish film, with a particular spotlight on local filmmakers and stories made in and around the Boyne Valley. The 2025 festival will feature a packed weekend of Irish and international short films, documentaries, animations, filmmaker workshops, panel discussions, and awards. With season tickets priced at just €35, audiences will have access to all shorts screening programmes throughout the weekend. A standout event this year is the Gala Screening of Four Mothers, the latest feature from Drogheda's own Darren Thornton, co-written with his brother Colin. The screening, taking place on Saturday 9 August, will be followed by a Q&A hosted by broadcaster Sinéad Brassil. The film tells the story of a novelist grappling with family and fame across a chaotic weekend and has already won critical acclaim. Local filmmaking takes centre stage at the Made in the Boyne Valley opening night screening, featuring projects such as Medicinal by Eoghan Timothy Hand and starring Peter Coonan, as well as works from directors based in Louth and Meath. Festival Co-Director Collette Farrell said: 'The Boyne Valley region is rich in history, creativity, and community. This festival allows us to bring that spirit to the screen while supporting Irish talent at all stages of their careers.' Workshops throughout the weekend offer valuable insight for emerging creatives, including sessions led by Dundalk-born casting director Luci Lenox, Droichead Artist in Residence Baz Black (Kin), and actress Orla Fitzgerald. A panel on casting will also feature industry leaders Louise Kiely, Barry Coyle, and Mary-Ellen O'Hara. This year's Filmmaker in Focus is TJ O'Grady-Peyton, with six of his short films screening, including Room Taken, which was recently shortlisted for an Oscar and executive produced by Colin Farrell. BVIFF 2025 is also proud to announce two new patrons: acclaimed actress Helen Behan from Laytown, and award-winning casting director Louise Kiely. Both have supported the festival since its early days and now formally join the team. The festival is made possible through support from The Arts Council, Louth County Council Festival Fund, Meath County Council, and local sponsors including The Clinch Family, Boann Distillery, Anglo Printers, and The Marcy. 'We're incredibly proud to bring this festival back to Drogheda, and to showcase the depth of talent we have in Louth, Meath, and across the country,' said Frank W. Kelly. With a combination of screenings, networking, and education, BVIFF offers both audiences and aspiring filmmakers a unique cultural experience in the heart of the Boyne Valley. Tickets and the full festival programme are available at
New Indian Express
29-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Kerala farmers keep wild boars at bay with leadwort
KOTTAYAM: As wild boar attacks continue to escalate across the state's forest fringes, an organic solution for mitigating crop destruction is gaining traction among farmers. The Indian leadwort, scientifically known as Plumbago Indica and locally referred to as 'Chethikoduveli,' has emerged as an effective deterrent, said farmers. First introduced by settler farmers in Kannur, the plant has now expanded its reach to the high ranges of Central Travancore with local bodies and the Agriculture Department taking initiatives to promote the planting of chethikoduveli at various locations. Local bodies in Idukki such as Vazhathope and Arakkulam as well as Koottickal in Kottayam have rallied to support the farmers to use this plant as a natural barrier against wild boars. 'We have decided to use this plant in our panchayat as a pilot project. We will provide plants to farmers at 75 per cent subsidy rate. In the initial phase, plants will be given to 18 farmers in the panchayat,' said Bijoy Jose, president of Koottikkal panchayat. According to experts, the plant's roots produce a pungent sap that repels wild boars, making it a natural alternative to traditional methods to prevent the vermin. Farmers residing in the forest fringes have increasingly adopted this plant, especially after previous attempts to fend off these animals proved unsuccessful. After four years of experimentation, Maju, a native of Mayyil in Kannur, introduced the Indian leadwort as an effective solution to wild boar invasions. Subsequently, the Agriculture Department validated its efficacy in preventing wild boars and have begun developing plants in their Karimbam and Aralam farms. The plants are also available at the Kerala Agricultural University's Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research Station at Odakkali in Ernakulam. Meanwhile, chethikoduveli's success has spurred farmer interest and demand. However, despite the Agriculture Department's endorsement, its efficacy is yet to be scientifically substantiated by the experts. 'While many local initiatives have been undertaken, the precise effectiveness of this method requires scientific validation,' said Dr. P Balakrishnan, scientist at Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi.
