Belfast born Michael Barry founded a Film Festival in Canada
We spoke to Michael about co-founding the Toronto Irish Film Festival:
Michael Barry was born in Belfast and graduated with a degree in Computer Science from Ulster University, he immigrated to Canada in 1992.
Michael’s film industry experience began at Astral Media working for The Movie Network and Viewers Choice Pay-Per-View brands. Michael has held senior acquisitions, operations, programming and promotions positions at Canada’s largest communications, theatrical exhibition and film festival organisations including Cineplex Entertainment, Telus Communications, Bell Media and Hot Docs International Film Festival.
Michael co-founded a festival supporting the work of Irish filmmakers. Now in its 10th year, the Toronto Irish Film Festival (TIRFF) celebrates the very best of Irish cinema and promotes the work of Irish filmmakers to the Greater Toronto Irish community and the Toronto film festival public. With sold-out screenings from 2010 to 2019, TIRFF has quickly assumed the role of leading promoter of Irish film within Canada.
TIRFF provides a unique opportunity for the Toronto and Ontario based Northern Irish community to connect with home through the magic of cinema.
