International Premiere
Singer Eva Cassidy has one of the most tragic success stories in contemporary music, rising to global fame years after her death from melanoma at 33 years old. While her powerful voice didn’t have as large an audience during her life, her friends and family knew she was special from an early age. Tracing her life from a precocious, talented child to the soulful, uncompromising artist she would become, directors Alex Fegan and Malcolm Willis uncover an intimate portrait of Eva. With never-before-heard recordings and exclusive footage, they not only capture the raw talent and grace of Eva’s music, but the humility and vibrancy of her inner life. A self-effacing, shy woman who valued her independence and artistic vision over chasing fame, Eva weathered internal and external pressures while staying true to herself. An intimate tribute not only to her art, but the person behind the legend, The Essence of Eva celebrates the beautiful life of Eva Cassidy and the indelible legacy she left behind.
Oct 6 & 7: Q&A
Presented by
Media Partner
Community Partner
Ireland
2025
English
Book Tickets
Credits & Director
Producer
Malcolm Willis, Alex Fegan, Brendan Byrne
Screenwriter
Alex Fegan, Malcolm Willis
Cinematography
Malcolm Willis
Editor
Alex Fegan
Malcolm Willis
Malcolm is an English director who has lived in County Kerry, Ireland, for over 25 years. A former fireman and police detective, he entered filmmaking later in life. His debut feature documentary Kilimanjaro Mama (2019) won Best Feature at the Kerry International Film Festival. His second film, Blow-Ins (2022), explored immigration in Dingle and premiered on RTÉ One. He wrote, directed, and produced both films and is currently producing two new documentaries.
Filmography: Blow-Ins (2022)
Alex Fegan
Alex Fegan is an Irish filmmaker who left a career as a lawyer in 2008 to pursue his childhood dream of filmmaking. He is the founder of Atom Films, and has made some of Ireland’s best-loved documentaries including The Irish Pub (2013), Older Than Ireland (2015) and Sins of Ireland and Am I Here? (2024).
Filmography: Man Made Men (2009); The Irish Pub (2013); Older Than Ireland (2015); Am I Here? (2023); Sins of Ireland (2024); The Omagh Hum (2024)
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Montreal, ma belle
In this Valentine to discovering love later in life, the ever-elegant Joan Chen plays Feng Xia, a 53-year-old Chinese immigrant and mother in Montreal whose world is turned upside down when she meets and falls in love with a young Quebecoise.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly + Talkback with Special Guests
The third and the best of the so-called 'Dollars' trilogy amplifies Leone's baroque style: crane shots, shock cuts and Morricone music all vying for attention as three rogues hunt buried gold in a series of triangular variations. + Intro and Talkback
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Mixing documentary and reenactment, this film powerfully evokes the desperate attempts of the Red Crescent to rescue a six year old child trapped in a car under Israeli military fire. Oscar nominee: Best International Film
Turner & Constable
Filmed as a supplement to a blockbuster exhibition at Tate Britain happening right now, this doc in the popular Exhibition on Screen series allows us to view these competitive, complementary English landscape artists side by side.