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THE annual May The 4th Be With You Festival will not succumb to the coronavirus pandemic, but it will move online this year.
The four-day online celebration features over 100 fan made Star Wars films with over 200 million YouTube hits and interviews with some of the directors from all over the world.
The virtual festival will host online chats with some of the stars from the Star Wars universe, explore the philosophy of Star Wars with Dr. John Donaldson of Glasgow University, presenting lively panel discussions with the 501st Ireland Garrison and Rebel Legion on some of their incredible costumes and offer an online Star Wars Market hosted by Dublin City Comics.
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For junior Star Wars fans there are on-line interactive sessions in coding, graphic design and animation with Designer Minds along with cosplay and art competitions.
The Ultimate Star Wars Quiz will be held online with Big Screen quiz master Paul Redmond on May the 4th with loads of great prizes and all proceeds going to The Irish Cancer Society.
501st Ireland Garrison member and festival organiser, Dave Byrne commented: “This online festival is the place to celebrate May The 4th for Star Wars fans around the world, this year. We have a fantastic line up that really covers so much from the casually interested to the ultimate fan. There is something to be got from engaging with the online format and some of the fan made movies that will be shown during the program of events are simply stunning works of film art.”
The festival celebrates Star Wars and the links between County Kerry and the renowned movie franchise.
Ireland’s Star Wars journey, which began in Portmagee, in 2014, has spanned some 2,000kms of the Wild Atlantic Way – from the south-western Skellig islands to Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head.
The savage beauty of Skellig Michael, the legendary island off the coast of County Kerry, was introduced to the world when Rey finally tracked down the long-lost Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Oonagh Walsh, local festival organiser added: “We have had fantastic buy in from local businesses and some fantastic prizes are on offer for a number of fun competitions for adults and families alike. This festival has massive potential for the Skellig Coast area and this online format allows us to reach a global audience and show the world what the Skellig Coast has to offer even during a time of limited international travel.”
Visit www.maythe4thbewithyoufestival.com for full details on this year’s virtual festival.
James Murphy, Festival Chairman and Portmagee local explains; “We have big plans for this festival and the Skellig Coast region. This year our online festival will reach a previously unknown international audience. We will show them what is so special about the Skellig Coast that it was selected to be filmed as Ahch-To Island, the centre of the Jedi universe. Next years festival will see the return of the physical festival in Portmagee and Valentia again and we very much look forward to welcoming Star Wars fans from throughout the galaxy to our home on the Skellig Coast.”
