August and November 2023
from Coventry: Devjani Bodepudi and John Watson
from Cork: Cathal Holden and Rosalin Blue
In August 2023 Ó Bhéal welcomed Coventry poets Devjani Bodepudi and John Watson for two readings at Ó Bhéal and DeBarra’s Spoken Word as part of the twin cities exchange. Cathal Holden and Rosalin Blue represented Cork for a reciprocal visit and were hosted for two readings in Coventry during early November, also with a visit to the Lord Mayor, hosted by Ó Bhéal’s partner Here Comes Everyone / Fire & Dust. Reviews, images and links from each poet follow.
26th November 2023
We are thrilled to announce that Kate Sweeney from England, with her gorgeous film To Be Two has won Ó Bhéal’s 11th poetry-film competition, as announced at the 11th Winter Warmer Poetry Festival awards ceremony.
To Be Two was chosen from 208 submissions received from 168 filmmakers in 33 countries. The 2023 shortlist represents 14 countries: Belgium, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Namibia, New Zealand, Scotland, The Netherlands, UK, Ukraine and USA. You can view the shortlist and screenings here.
Poem: To Be Two
Synopsis – An origin story of becoming – two mothers, a son, a family. Bringing together the moments and the materials from the everyday, it focusses on the ways we, as a family formed through adoption, have made our bonds. To Be Two is a collage of video recordings, poetry, and animation painted with inks and dyes made from mud, rust, blackberries, nettle milk and river water gathered and adapted from my immediate and intimate surroundings. to describe how we imagine and manifest our selves through each other beyond the language of blood and DNA.
Director: Kate Sweeney (UK)
Kate Sweeney is an artist, video maker and writer based in the North East of England. Her video pieces have screened and been exhibited nationally and internationally including Sydney International Film Festival, Zebra Film Festival in Berlin, Manchester Animation Festival, AnimaTricks in Helsinki and International Poetry Festival in London. Kate is currently a research associate at Newcastle University, and has previously taught Fine Art, Animation and lectured in poetry-film. She has just completed her PhD exploring video practice in literary archives at Newcastle University, UK (2016 – 20).
“What struck us primarily was how the beauty of the words “richter white paint stroked through a candle/ time blown backwards by a brush” were as captivating as the visual journey of this film. The pacing was extraordinary, the stunning stop motion animation of a child on a pushbike coming towards you, and then you might have a sheet of white vellum paper just for a few moments, all under-layered with a child crying or laughing. One is transported into extraordinary shifts in perspective, via a striking variety of stylised animations and abstract videography. A fantastic and worthy winner. ”
Ó Bhéal’s 11th Winter Warmer (and 3rd hybrid) festival presented over 30 poets from seven countries. Most of the featured guests appeared in-person at Nano Nagle Place, while others appeared virtually.
The festival included two poetry workshops with Dylan Brennan and Jessica Traynor, a poetry-film workshop with Colm Scully, three music/poetry fusions from Rónán Ó Snodaigh, Aindrias de Staic and Alistair Mackay (with Rody Gorman) (all in-person), an Open-Mic Showcase featuring four Cork-based regular open-mic events, poetry-films from the verse of the late Macdara Woods, plus a Closed-Mic set for poets from Ó Bhéal’s regular open-mic sessions during 2023.
Other guests included Eiléan Ni Chuilleanáin, Fred D’Aguiar, Sarah Clancy, Vona Groarke, Lauren O’Donovan, Emma Must, Kim Shuck, Alejandro Murguía, Gormfhlaith Ni Shiochain Ni Bheolain, Laima Vincė, Jason J. Fisher and S’phongo.
The shortlist and prize-giving for Ó Bhéal’s 11th International Poetry-Film Competition was screened and simulcast, along with an additional, special selection of poetry-films made in Ireland.
The festival poster is available HERE.
The Arts Council of Ireland, Cork City Council, Foras na Gaeilge,
Poetry and Politics II @ University of Vigo, Dunnes Stores, Forum
Publications, Colmcille, Arc Publications, Cork City Libraries, Poetry Ireland,
Paradiso, The Long Valley and the UCC School of English and Digital Humanities.
