Cork Film Festival Secure Corona Sponsor

Cork Film Festival has announced a major new sponsor in Barry Fitzwilliam Maxxium, importers of Corona Extra and other products. The event will now be known as the 'Corona Cork Film Festival'.
Recently appointed Festival Chairman, Michael O’Connell, expressed his delight in securing the three-year sponsorship deal of both financial and marketing support for the festival.
"This is an exciting period for the festival and this new sponsorship enables us to bring Ireland’s oldest and largest festival to a new level. Festivals such as Cork’s are increasingly expensive to mount and the support of organisations such as the Arts Council and Cork City Council needs to be augmented by partnerships with private companies. Corona’s welcome sponsorship means we can deliver an even better festival to our audience.
Mick Hannigan, Director of Corona Cork Film Festival stated: "This is very good news indeed. The Corona sponsorship will result in an enhanced profile for the festival and an even better programme of screenings, benefiting supporters of the festival, both audiences and filmmakers. Plans are already well underway for a very exciting Corona Cork Film Festival next October and we look forward to a productive partnership with Barry Fitzwilliam."
Michael Barry, MD of Barry Fitzwilliam Maxxium, the importers of Corona Extra said: “This sponsorship is an excellent fit for Corona Extra, and an opportunity to support the festival, while at the same time building the Corona Extra brand further. The product has seen phenomenal growth in the last few years, and is now the leading brand in the premium imported beer category. We are delighted to position Corona in this way, and to give something back to the legion of Corona lovers who are also enthusiastic film buffs. The initiative also coincides with Barry Fitzwilliam Maxxium's celebration of its 25th year in business."
The Corona Cork Film Festival is now in its 52nd year and is one of the most respected festivals in the world particularly for its support of the short film as a distinct art form.
The festival will receive over 3,500 entries this year from across the world. The Corona Cork Film Festival hosts the Prix UIP Cork, a European Film Academy Award for Best European Short Film, and other short film awards.
Corona Cork Film Festival’s programme is eclectic, ranging from World Cinema, a Documentary Panorama, an Irish Showcase and short film competitions, Drive-in Movies, silent cinema events and training programmes for young filmmakers.
Audiences have grown year on year with admissions currently standing at over 35,000 over eight days and nights.
The 52nd Corona Cork Film will run from 14 to 21 October 2007.
(DS/SP)