Guth Gafa Documentary Festival 2008

“…how thoroughly I enjoyed your festival: the films, people, location, and all-round ‘craic’”

PHIL GRABSKY
Award-Winning Filmmaker -
The Boy Who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan, UK

“Everyone present commented on how well the programme was put together. The choice of documentaries was second to none and I have never been to a festival where so many people attended every screening.”

CAOIMHE NI LAIGHIN
Irish Language Broadcast Fund of Northern Ireland

“It was a great success on many levels: the concentration of like-minded filmmakers, and the thorough work-outs that the filmmakers were given. All too often I have attended festivals where the filmmakers wander around aimlessly. At Guth Gafa they were given a multitude of opportunities to engage with audiences in quite a rigorous fashion”
“…such a well organized, professionally run and enjoyable affair”

SUNNIVA O’FLYNN
Curator, the Irish Film Archive

“…enjoyable and stimulating weekend. Not only was it a chance to see challenging and interesting work from around the globe, but it was an all too rare opportunity for documentary makers to meet their peers.”

FIONA KEANE
documentary producer, Northern Ireland

“…such a well organized festival. The small and compact nature allowed filmmakers and local people to meet each other on a very informal basis. Along with having such an excellent array of films on screen, the great success of the festival was its ability to attract local people to watch the films. I hope to see Guth Gafa become an annual event in the Irish film calendar.”

LIAM NOLAN
filmmaker - Na Deoraithe, Ireland

“The films selected were of a very high standard and I was extremely impressed with the number of international directors that you had over to speak about their films. Job well done to all involved. I look forward to the event next year”.

CLARE CONNELLY
Screen Training Ireland

“Guth Gafa’s focus on personal documentary makes it a totally unique festival, and its locale makes it a magical experience for the filmmakers lucky enough to be invited. It makes me want to do another personal documentary fast, just so I can come back soon”.

DOUG BLOCK
Award-Winning Filmmaker -
51 Birch Street, USA

“We had a great time during the first edition of your festival. It was very good to have those two themes: landscape and family. I also found the quality of the films quite good…I really enjoyed the festival and as you listen to the guests everybody liked to visit Donegal”.

JOHN APPEL
Award-Winning Filmmaker and Jury member of several festivals, Netherlands

“Thanks for inviting me, I really enjoyed it and you all did a tremendous job. Screening was excellent, film choice very good…”

JOHN MURRAY
Producer, Crossing the Line Films, Ireland

“Many many thanks for a stimulating, educational, entertaining and emotion filled weekend. Can’t wait for the next Guth Gafa”

Ian and Finola
local attendees

“It was a treat, such a different experience from what one usually has at a festival, I have no doubt it will become in the years to come a very important contribution to the world of documentary film as it has already by allowing us to all come and talk about our work, and learn from one another”

DANAE ELON
Award-Winning filmmaker, Israel

“I enjoyed the festival very much and it was very nice to meet you all. I liked the atmosphere, the setting, the discussion format and of course, some fantastic films selected. I had the impression that all aspects of festival seemed very, very well organised, particularly for 1st event and all festival team were very friendly, warm and helpful.”

EAMON MC ELWEE
Irish producer, Gallowglass

“Congratulations on organizing a brilliant festival. I loved the buzz that the festival created in the area. Looking forward already to next year’s festival and well done to everyone involved”.

ROSEMARY McFADDEN
Local attendee

“The festival was so wonderful, I can’t find the words to shower you all with enough appreciation! It was a unique festival experience, and one to always remember as incredibly special. The warm atmosphere, the warm people, the great films and the sublime location made the weekend a total treat”.

OREN SIEDLER
Director, Bruce and Me, Australia

“Congratulations to all the Guth Gafa team for a very impressive festival. An inspired choice of films and directors. Lots of friendly camaraderie in a great setting”.

MAIRIN SEOIGHE
Dobhar Productions, Ireland

“From the moment the bus took off from the airport en route to
Gortahork, and I glimpsed the Donegal landscape for the first time, I
knew we were all in for a treat. It was a privilege and a pleasure to
be invited to the first Guth Gafa festival. Thanks for the warmth, the
hospitality, the camraderie, the intensity, and especially for creating
an environment that allowed us all to make new discoveries, new
connections and new friends”.

ALAN BERLINER
Multi-Award-Winning filmmaker, USA

“I feel very privileged having been part of the first Guth Gafa ever, rarely one feels so welcome. The films I have been able to see were inspiring and the set up of the festival - small, no competition and the individual approach - has permitted me to get to know some very special people among the directors as well as your team. I hope many Guth Gafa editions in the same spirit will follow”.

STEFANIE DE BROUWER
Filmmaker Forasteros, Netherlands

“It has been a unique and very inspiring event, and this is due to the fact that you programmed the festival thematically, in combination with the presence of so many filmmakers on such a beautiful spot on this Earth. The films being shown offered a good showcase of the whole spectrum of possibilities, both in content as in form of personal filmmaking.We were very happy that you succeeded in letting participate such interesting directors like Alan Berliner … The festival was extremely well organized; the accommodation and caretaking of high quality, both excursions nice and interesting. Chapeaux for this tremendous effort to get something organized starting from scratch. Thank you so much, and please continue!”

ALBERT ELING and EUGENIE JANSEN
Filmmakers Foreland, Netherlands