11th Annual Irish American Movie Hooley Set for September

Hibernian Media proudly announce film selections for their 11th Annual “Irish American Movie Hooley”, scheduled this year atThe Wilmette Theatre in Wilmette Sept. 26-27-28, 2025

Declaring themselves “the only Irish American film festival in the world,” the hooley is excited to present these three extraordinary films. Here is the lineup…

Opening the Movie Hooley on Friday September 26th at 8PM will be  KING FRANKIE starring Peter Coonan. Following the death of his father, Frankie Burke, a kindly taxi driver living a quiet life in a Dublin suburb, is forced to confront the ghosts of his past when an unexpected stranger arrives at his door. It’s a mad roller coaster ride through his past as he tries to reconcile the demons of his earlier life to make peace with the man he has become. International film star and lead actor of this film Peter Coonan joins us for our opening night screening and discussion.

Saturday night, September 27th, will feature the 8PM special Chicago screening of DEAD MAN’S MONEY  When Young Henry’s wealthy uncle starts courting “the Widow” Maureen Tweed, he starts to fear that he’ll be written out of Old Henry’s will. Conspiring with his wife, Pauline – and a chauffeur with a chequered past, Young Henry hatches a plan to make sure that the Widow Tweed never sees a penny of the inheritance. This funny, yet scary romp knits together a Shakespearian tale of greed framed inside a friendly Irish pub with a rising body count that just won’t quit.Actress Judith Roddy, who stars as the “Lady MacBeth”-inspired Young Henty’s  seductive wife “Pauline”, joins the Hooley for this screening.

Finally on Sunday at 5PM, Sept. 28th, the Hooley will present writer-director Colin Hughes’ real life documentary film, FIRE DEPARTMENT. INC as a suburban Chicago firefighter’s labor union finds itself fighting a different kind of fire when the Village Mayor schemes to destroy the union.  What results is a five year long legal battle with the potential to change labor law for the entire country. It’s local and lethal. Director Hughes will join us for the screening and hooley.

Now in its eleventh year, the Movie Hooley has introduced audiences to the best in Irish and Irish American filmmaking, with opportunities to meet each writer, director, actor, or producer who have brought their films to Chicago, this year once again unveiling their creations personally to our audiences at the gorgeous and intimate Wilmette Theatre.

Chicago Tribune columnist Rick Kogan says, “If your image of the Irish is trapped in some sort of playful Shamrock-“Danny Boy” realm, prepare yourselves for the dark but altogether satisfying world represented by the latest offerings of this year’s Irish American Movie Hooley.”

The films have grown in stature each year and the 11th Annual Movie Hooley promises to be our best yet. The Irish American Movie Hooley is presented by Hibernian Media NFP, our local public charity dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Irish culture. 

Sponsors of the 11th Annual Irish American Movie Hooley include The Hilton Chicago, Your local Irish Whiskey and Madden Funds. Tickets for each film are $15 and snacks and drinks are offered in the lobby.

Click here for tix and times.

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