Homeless World Cup film in National festival
By Maurice Garvey
STREET Leagues, a documentary highlighting the stories of the men and women who represented Ireland at the Homeless World Cup, will premiere this weekend at The Virgin Dublin International Film Festival 2020.
The documentary features contributions from actor Colin Farrell, and follows the Irish Street Leagues as they aim to progress through a major tournament.
Colin Farrell (right) with founder of the Homeless Street Leagues Sean Kavanagh
Members of the team include players from Tallaght, Clondalkin and Inchicore.
Clondalkin resident Sean Kavanagh, Homeless Street Leagues founder and executive producer of the documentary, is delighted that it will premiere at the Dublin Festival.
“The timing is very appropriate, with homelessness at an all-time high,” said Kavanagh, Ireland’s Big Issue editor who established the Street League and Irish Homeless World cup team in 2002.
“The film puts a human face on the statistics. It shows what can be achieved when people are encouraged to fulfil their true potential as sports people and more importantly as human beings.”
Kavanagh said the Irish Street Leagues are in the process of “preparing a bid to host the Homeless World Cup in Dublin” and have the backing of Dublin City Council.
The Homeless World Cup is held every year in a different continent, and the Irish team in recent years have performed with great success.
Directed by Daniel F Holmes, the documentary has been nominated for the ICCL Human Rights Film Award.
A short film ‘Warm for Winter’ will be screened prior to the feature.
The premiere takes place at Cineworld on Parnell Street, on Saturday, February 29, at 6pm.
The Virgin Dublin International Film Festival is Ireland’s premier film festival and contains a mix of cinema from around the world.
