Johnny Kline's Xmas Message (2015)

Christmas Comes Early

Watch here

The Curse of Johnny Kline (2D) (2015)

"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."


Produced by Experimental Film Society
Thanks to The Arts Council of Ireland

Experimental Film Society @ Filmbase, Nov 27th

Experimental Film Society (EFS) is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Filmbase, Dublin. EFS will programme and present a bimonthly series of experimental cinema events at Filmbase consisting of screenings and performances by both EFS members and guest artists. The first of these, taking place on November 27^th 2015, not only launches this new series but also marks the 50th EFS event since it first began programming screenings in 2011. To celebrate this double occasion Michael Higgins and Cillian Roche will be bringing the raw power of their pop-up expanded cinema project Open Night Cinema from the post-industrial margins that spawned it to the city centre for one night only. This will be followed by a drinks reception enriched by the experimental sounds of Cork-based DJ duoGlocke & Aaaa (Dave Murphy and frequent EFS collaborator Vicky Langan).

Friday November 27th 6.30pm

Tickets €7 at the door.

Filmbase, Curved Street ,Temple Bar Dublin 2.

JUNK (Michael Higgins/Cillian Roche) (6:30-7:30PM)

Inspired by Dublin's derelict industrial locations, JUNK is an immersive installation that incorporates analogue projection, a live soundscape and physical performance. JUNK will highlight and recreate in an abstract, intensely atmospheric way the recesses of these toxic environments and the characters that feed on them.

JUNK emerges from the Open Night Cinema Project. Set up in June 2015 by performer Cillian Roche and filmmaker Michael Higgins, it is a non-profit 'pop-up' film studio that lives, breathes and sleeps throughout the industrial landscapes of Dublin. It primarily feeds on cinematic events designed with characteristics of expanded cinema, experimental film and live performance. These events utilise the zone outside the projected frame in order to breathe life into the cinematic experience. Throughout the year, it has been host to a range of events that blur the lines between art installation, cinematic exhibition and live performance.

GLOCKE & AAAA DJ SET (8:00-9:30PM)

Vicky Langan and Dave Murphy spin avant junk and weirdo sounds. They are known as the duo that gave Cork Black Sun, its regular weirdo / outer limits music event which brought many renowned makers of strange sounds from around the world to play for the first time in Ireland. The same adventurous sensibility permeates their DJ sets.  

Experimental Film Society is an independent, not-for-profit entity specializing in avant-garde, independent and no/low budget filmmaking. It was founded in 2000 by Rouzbeh Rashidi. It unites works by a group of filmmakers scattered across the globe, whose films are distinguished by an uncompromising devotion to personal, experimental cinema.

Filmbase was founded in 1986 as a members led organization. It has supported thousands of Irish filmmakers over the years through its range of services including quality training at affordable rates, access to film funding award schemes, equipment hire and the publication of www.FilmIreland.net, Ireland’s first stop online for all the latest Irish film news, reviews, interviews and exclusives.

More information Here & Here

Cinema Cyanide's You Always Loved Violence (2015)

Listen Here

EFS @ Cinematheque of Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art

Experimental Film Society Q&A at the Cinematheque of Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art with Esperanza Collado, Michael Higgins, Atoosa PourHosseini, Dean Kavanagh & Rouzbeh Rashidi (September 28th, 2015).

Full programme details here

Pier Paolo Pasolini (March 5, 1922 - November 2, 1975)

Remembering Vincent Price (May 27th 1911 - October 25th 1993)

"Then at last it began to get dark. One side of the room was lit a soft filtered red... 

...sunset through the rats... 

...blinking and twinkling, like the stars of Hell!"

Cloud of Skin Premiere at the 60th Cork Film Festival

Maximilian Le Cain's feature film Cloud of Skin is now complete

and will be premiering on Saturday November 7th at 12 noon in the 60th Cork Film Festival.

Screening details can be found HERE

And a new trailer can be seen HERE

Cloud of Skin

Deeply haunted by the memory of his dead lover, a man wanders through the sites of their encounters. The dead woman, a blind visionary, has transferred her perceptual powers to him as part of their undying bond. Rather than unfolding as a traditional narrative, experimental filmmaker Maximilian Le Cain’s first feature takes the form of a visually and sonically immersive fever dream. Composer Karen Power’s intense soundscapes complete this mysterious and unusual cinematic experience.

a film by Maximilian Le Cain with sound by Karen Power

starring Dean Kavanagh, Eadaoin O'Donohgue & Siannon O'Neill

executive producers: Esperanza Collado, Fergus Daly, Michael Higgins, Vicky Langan, Gianluca Pulsoni

produced by Rouzbeh Rashidi, Dean Kavanagh & Maximilian Le Cain

Experimental Film Society / Close Watch Films 2015

More info about the film HERE

EFS in Tehran

Michael Higgins, Dean Kavanagh, Esperanza Collado and Rouzbeh Rashidi 

@ New Media Society, Tehran

Photo by Amirali Ghaff

EFS VOD

"Tired of the everyday grind? Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all? We offer you... Escape!"

Experimental Film Society VOD where around 50 medium and feature length films by 

Rouzbeh Rashidi, Michael Higgins, Maximilian Le Cain and Dean Kavanagh 

are waiting for you!

HERE

3 New Short Films Completed

1) Unknown

 HD video loop, stereo, 2mins

2) Cut to the Chase

colour/B&W, Dslr, 8mm, 16mm, 35mm, 16:9, Stereo, 11mins

3) Ornaments of the Bone

 colour/B&W, 8mm, super-8mm, 9.5mm, 16mm, HD, stereo, 6mins

Produced by Experimental Film Society & Easter Film Group

with thanks to The Arts Council of Ireland

Finis Hominis

Maximilian Le Cain

HSP (191-199) @ Altered States

Homo Sapiens Project (191-199) by Rouzbeh Rashidi, Dean Kavanagh & Maximilian Le Cain and Incubus by Atoosa Pour Hosseini have been selected for the exhibition in Altered States. Altered States is an immersive multi-screen show of the latest experimental film and video work curated by the Hastings-based filmmakers Toby Tatum and Mark French. 

ALTERED STATES

Electro Studios, Seaside Road, West St Leonards, TN38 0AL

Sat 29 August from 6pm – 10pm Sun 30 August from 2pm – 6pm.

More info HERE

Cut to the Chase (2015)

New short film "Cut to the Chase" is now completed.

Starring John Curran

11mins,  Colour/B&W, Dslr, 8mm, 16mm, 35mm, 16:9, Stereo

Special thanks to the Arts Council of Ireland

Produced by Experimental Film Society & Easter Film Group

EFS @ Open Night Cinema (Part 2)

'In the very process of seeing, our own skull is like a dark theatre, and the world we see in front of us is in a sense a screen.'  - Nathaniel Dorsky 

HSP is an ongoing series of personal experimental video works by Rouzbeh Rashidi initiated in August 2011 for both online and screen context. 

Two collaborative HSP films by Rouzbeh Rashidi, Dean Kavanagh and Maximilian Le Cain will screen.

HSP (176) Dur. 11mins
HSP (191-199) Dur. 16mins

The Illuminated Room is an expanded cinema event by Michael Higgins. 
Dur. 40mins

DOORS - 6pm
SCREENING - 730pm
FREE ENTRY - ALL WELCOME

Full details

Dean Kavanagh & Jann Clavadetscher

On location for Jann Clavadetscher's latest project.

EFS @ Open Night Cinema, Saturday Aug 1st.

A programme of short films by Experimental Film Society will play at Open Night Cinema.

Full details HERE / directions to the location to follow.

Find out more about Open Night Cinema here

A Brief Factual History of EFS

Read Rouzbeh Rashidi's "Brief Factual History of Experimental Film Society" here

Polar Nights at Phantoscope (Triskel Cork)

On July 11th Polar Nights screened  alongside Michael Higgins' At One Fell Swoop at Phantoscope, a regular experimental film event in Cork, held at Triskel Cinema and curated by Maximilian Le Cain.

Thanks to Maximlian Le Cain, Triskel Arts Centre, Michael Higgins, Rouzbeh Rashidi and the great audience.

Photo thanks to Michael Higgins

Polar Nights can be viewed on EFS VOD here

EFS @ Lichtenberg Studios, Berlin

From Experimental Film Society website:

"EFS members Dean Kavanagh, Rouzbeh Rashid Atoosa Pour Hosseini and Maximilian Le Cain have just finished a highly productive week-long residency at Lichtenberg Studios, Berlin. Many thanks to Uwe Jonas at Lichtenberg Studios and The Arts Council of Ireland for a travel grant that made this possible. And, above all, a huge thank you to the amazing Michael Freerix who arranged not only the residency but the two screenings we had while in Berlin".

At One Fell Swoop + Polar Nights @ Phantoscope

Phantoscope, Triskel’s regular experimental film event, presents two visionary new features from members of Experimental Film Society. The wild slice of dark Irish psychedelia of At One Fell Swoop compliments the mysterious domestic nightmare of Polar Nights.

Saturday July 11th, 6PM

Full information and tickets here

The Curse of Johnny Kline (Anaglyph 3D - 2015)

12 minutes, Dslr, 8mm, 16mm, Anaglyph 3D, 16:9, Stereo

Produced by Experimental Film Society & Easter Film Group

With thanks to the Arts Council of Ireland

EFS Presents Two Performances @TBG+S

Full information here

Arts Council of Ireland Funding

Dean Kavanagh has received a Film Bursary Award from the Arts Council of Ireland in kind support of his filmmaking practice.

Open Night Cinema

 EFS Publications' report on the performance/event Open Night Cinema can be read HERE

EFS presents Two Performances in Temple Bar Gallery + Studios

Tuesday 30th June 2015 | 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Studio 6 | Free admission, all welcome.

Please click here to book your free ticket to this event.

Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, 5-9 Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

The next Experimental Film Society (EFS) event, taking place at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios under the Studio 6 Open programme, foregrounds an important aspect of several EFS members’ work: the intersection of performance and cinema. This event will consist of two live performances, one by Esperanza Collado and one by Atoosa Pour Hosseini with Irene Murphy and Mick O’Shea.

Full information here

Forbidden Symmetries @ CINEPHILES! QUEZON CITY

On May 30th, 2015, the collaborative feature film Forbidden Symmetries (2014) 
will play in CINEMALIBRE FILM CLUB at the University of the Philippines, Quezon City.

Full Information

Two EFS Programmes in Berlin, July 2015

Experimental Film Society (EFS) filmmakers Rouzbeh Rashidi, Dean Kavanagh, Maximilian Le Cain and visual artist Atoosa Pour Hosseini will be in Berlin to introduce two programmes of short films that give an intense overview of the range and formally challenging thrust of EFS filmmaking.

The screenings will take place at Lichtblick-Kino and regenbogenKINO.

Programme 1 @ Lichtblick-Kino 4th July 8PM

Dimensions (2013)

by Atoosa Pour Hosseini / Ireland / 6mins

The Illuminating Gas (2012)

 by Esperanza Collado / Spain / 7:30mins 

Murder (2014)

by Michael Higgins / Ireland / 5mins

Friends with Johnny Kline (2015)

by Dean Kavanagh / Ireland / 17:30mins

67-69-Take 5 (2015)

by Maximilian Le cain Ireland-Spain / 14mins 

Homo Sapiens Project (150) (2013)

by Rouzbeh Rashidi / Ireland / 36mins

Total Running Time: 86mins

---

Programme 2 @ regenbogenKINO 5th July 8PM

Teaser (2015) 

by Jann Clavadetscher / Ireland / 3mins 

W.E (2014)

by Bahar Samadi / France / 5mins

On The Way (2013) 

by Bahar Samadi / France / 3mins 

Pitpony (2014)

by Jason Marsh / UK / 3:30mins 

Last Phase (2014)

by Atoosa Pour Hosseini / Ireland / 2mins

Incubus (2013)

by Atoosa Pour Hosseini / Ireland / 1:30mins

Luminosity (2) (2013)

by Atoosa Pour Hosseini / Ireland / 2:30mins

Funnel Web Family (2013)

by Michael Higgins / Ireland / 14mins

Homo Sapiens Project (176) (2014)

by Rashidi & Kavanagh / Ireland / 12mins

Homo Sapiens Project (191-199) (2015)

by Rashidi, Kavanagh & Le Cain / Ireland / 15:30mins

Brine Twice Daily (2015)

by Maximilian Le Cain/Vicky Langan Ireland / 20mins

Total Running Time: 82mins 

Full Information on the events here

Rashidi, Kavanagh + Lumières @ Cineteca di Bologna, March 2015

Return of Suspicion available as Video On Demand

Rent/Download the film here on EFS VOD

More information on the film here

HSP 200 landing 2016

More information here

EFS Video On Demand

Over the past five years, four prolific underground filmmakers have emerged to define a new and distinctive visionary strain of filmmaking in Ireland. Under the banner of Experimental Film Society, Rouzbeh Rashidi, Dean Kavanagh, Michael Higgins and Maximilian Le Cain have forged a defiantly personal and marginal cinema that is fast becoming recognized as "an important new direction" (Donal Foreman, Estudios Irlandeses- Read HERE) in Irish film. Sharing an exploratory approach to filmmaking where films emerge from the interplay of sound, image and atmosphere rather than traditional storytelling techniques, their work has been singled out for its radical formal qualities and poetic sensibility. Made with low or, most often, no budgets, this is filmmaking at its most challenging and independent. 

Now, for the first time, their archive of forty-three feature and medium length films is available on VOD to stream or download. Explore this unique catalogue of work HERE.

Trailer HERE

Any proceeds from the online rental or sale of these films will go towards funding future Experimental Film Society projects.

Watch films VOD

EFS @ TBG+S IV: Premiere Double-Bill

Full information here

Polar Nights + At One Fell Swoop premiere @ TBG+S

Monday 13th April 2015 | 6pm

Studio 6 | Free admission, all welcome

The fourth of six bi-monthly Experimental Film Society (EFS) screenings, taking place at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios under the Studio 6 Open programme, is a very special event: a double world premiere of new feature films by Dean Kavanagh and Michael Higgins, two Irish-based members of EFS. Both filmmakers will be present at the screening.

Full information here