THE borough’s long standing links with Ireland is set to be celebrated this week at the annual Irish Film Festival – with a programme that includes an in depth biography of Ireland’s first female president, Mary Robinson.

The Irish leader visited Camden Town when she was first elected in 1993 – and spoke of the importance of the Anglo-Irish diaspora.

Festival director Michael Hayden told the New Journal how Irish films had found a dedicated audience in London, but there was so much more that did not get released, and the festival is an open door to explore a vast range of filmmaking.

He said: “We are conscious of the Irish success stories we have seen recently. In the past couple of years, we have had a strong Irish presence at the Oscars.

“There are films now that are films of the year – Kneecap, That They May Face the Rising Sun. These are big stories and UK audiences have warmed to that. But there is a lot more work being made that does not get the publicity or distribution.

Michael Hayden

“The Irish film industry has its own flavour and culture – and that can be both a strength and an issue when it comes to showing Irish films to GB audiences. Sometimes it does not translate – it is not a given.”

The festival takes over the Vue Piccadilly and runs through until Sunday night.

The Mrs Robinson documentary highlights evolution in  Irish society.  Mr Hayden said: “It is an intimate portrait of her life and time, and is about an elemental change that came to create a modern Ireland.”

The documentary Housewife of the Year, a TV show on RTE that ran from the 1960s to the 1990s, also discusses equality.

“They had a competition where these women would come on and show what great housewives they were. The film illustrates a feminist history of Ireland, talking about the Magdalen laundries and the abortion referendum,” said the director.

Eat Sleep Cheer Repeat follows the journey of a cheerleading team from a  small Galway village who travel to America to compete in a prestigious competition.

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Mr Hayden added: “It is an incredible trip they go on, and it is hugely entertaining.”

Other films explore Ireland’s violent past.

In Ransom ’79 we are invited to join a community who grew up in the shadows of the Troubles.

It tells the story of how, in 1979, a shadowy group of criminals tried to blackmail the Irish government into handing over £5m – or face the horror of foot and mouth disease spread around the country.

Mr Hayden said: “The government had to take the threat seriously. The film follows the story of  journalist Charlie Bird, who set out to uncover the truth.

“It is an incredible piece of nonfiction storytelling.

“Charlie had motor neurone disease and died recently. This is a tribute to him.”

And the programme shows how talent can be nurtured with the right support.

He said: “There is the suggestion that Irish films punch above their weight. It is in a healthy place – there was a lot of investment. It means when Cillian Murphy wins an Oscar, it isn’t that surprising when you think of the hard work that paved the way.

“And there are a lot of other reasons. Irish culture celebrates story telling.”

The boom in Irish film stems back to a decision taken in 1982 by Screen Ireland to fund films.

“Before 1982, there was no Irish film industry,” explains Mr Hayden.

“This was because of a mixture of the influence of the Catholic church, the poverty many experienced, and the fact making films was just not a priority in terms of a way of telling national stories..

“It means it has a relatively recent history – but it also shows that there is no surprise Irish people win  Oscars and we are producing films like Kneecap.”