All roads lead back to film. 

All roads lead back to film. Unwinding in their ability to go far beyond what we can imagine. The passages of time. Reels are the cinematic time capsules that hold every single moment. Untangling the memories. Preserving the ones that are left in the rear view mirror. The memories that are easy to forget but are fundamental in shaping our existence. Cinema shapes our lives. Silk Road International Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing the films that are never afraid to question everything.

The looping film strips that uncover our ability to detangle the core story. Getting to the heart of it. That is what the Silk Road International Film Festival does best. We get to the soul of the story. A long, unwinding road visualized as a 35mm film strip because the heart is the cinema and the soul projects it in the way it is meant to be seen. Through our eyes. Processing it all. 

Chasing the feeling. Chasing the memories. Getting close enough to be in a distant reach. The small reminders of what it feels like to live. 

The films that are aware of just how short life is and how to go after every moment. The films that are intelligently in tune with their stories. The films that are often reminding themselves of what it would feel like to be alive. To simply enjoy life is to be alive. 

Poster Design By João da Fonseca

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Béla Tarr, one of the most singular and influential voices in world cinema.

In 2017, Béla Tarr was welcomed to the Silk Road International Film Festival as part of SRIFF Honours, delivering a masterclass at Trinity College Dublin. The masterclass was supported by Trinity College Dublin and Screen Skills Ireland (formally Screen Training Ireland), reflecting a shared commitment to artistic excellence, film education, and international cultural exchange.

Renowned for landmark works including Sátántangó, Werckmeister Harmonies, and The Turin Horse, Tarr reshaped the language of cinema, urging audiences to slow down, to observe, and to engage with the deeper moral and philosophical dimensions of human existence. Beyond his extraordinary body of work, he was a devoted teacher and mentor whose influence continues through generations of filmmakers worldwide.

We remember Béla Tarr with deep gratitude and respect. His legacy endures through his films, his teaching, and the lasting impact he made on those who had the privilege to learn from him.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Founders & Directors of Silk Road International Film Festival

Carla Mooney, Delwyn Mooney & Steinar Oli Jonsson

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