Shorts, Comedy: Irish Film Fest Set For Basie Cinemas In Red Bank

RED BANK, NJ — Look for an Irish-American Comedy & Film Festival this Saturday, March 11, at Basie Center Cinemas.

A partnership with the Dublin International Comedy Film Festival, the Fleadh - or Festival – will feature short films culled from this year’s festival in Dublin, according to the theater.

It will also present "Love Letters Profiles," a comedy TV pilot episode written by Spring Lake screenwriter Michael Farragher.

In all, eight short films will be screened, in addition to a live comedy set by Irish comedian Katie Boyle. The festival starts at 6:30 p.m.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity the showcase some of the best of Irish film comedy in the States thanks to the Irish American Comedy & Film Fleadh,” said Cathal Feeney, co-founder of the Dublin International Comedy Film Festival.

The hope is for this year’s inaugural event in Red Bank to forge an annual partnership and stateside Fleadh, highlighting Irish-centric films and comedy from both sides of the Atlantic, Feeney and Basie Center officials say.

The independent movie house is located on White Street in downtown Red Bank.

“Part of our objective as a nonprofit, independent cinema is to celebrate the contributions of filmmakers worldwide,” said Izzy Sackowitz, chief operating officer, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “This was the perfect time of year to deploy our relationship with the Dublin International Comedy Film Festival, and our hope is to grow that relationship forward in years to come.”

Tickets ($28) for the Irish-American Comedy + Film Fleadh are on sale now through www.basiecentercinemas.org and the Basie Center Cinemas box office.

This is an all-ages to enter, 21 to drink event.