Liam O Maonlai at Kerry Film Festival

The Kerry Film Festival, which is celebrating nine years of bringing film to Kerry, today announced that Liam O' Maonlai will play two concerts in Kerry to coincide with the screening of Dambe: The Mali Project, a documentary by filmmaker Dearbhla Glynn, that follows Liam and fellow Irish Musician, Paddy Keenan, through Africa.

Liam and Paddy embark on a musical adventure to the Heart of Africa, Mali. Travelling over 3,000 miles they meet and collaborate with a range of characters from legendary musicians Afel Bocoum and Toumani Diabate to Nomadic Herders, culminating in a unique performance at the world's most remote musical festival; The Festival au Desert.

The film is the musical story of the two talented Irish musicians covering thousands of miles of stunning yet arduous terrain from Bamako in the south to the mysterious ancient city of Timbuktu, from which point they enter the Sahara. The film captures Mali in all its magic and beauty, celebrating culture and the power of music.

"The documentary is about sharing culture and aims to promote Mali as a Country full of life, while highlighting some of the social issues Malian people face," said filmmaker, Dearbhla Glynn. "We aimed to dispel the myth that Africa is a dark, depressed continent. This film shows you the contrary, that Mali and Africa are full of hope, colour and an abundance of social and cultural history."

Paddy is a master of the Uilleann pipes, hailed as a child prodigy, and comes from a long line of pipers. Paddy has always dreamt of visiting Africa and spending time with nomadic musicians. While Liam comes from a Rock and Roll background and has tasted international success with The Hothouse Flowers, he has always been inspired by his traditional roots, and is fascinated and deeply inspired by indigenous people and their music. Bono is on record as saying that Liam is "the best white soul singer in the world." Liam plays a wealth of instruments from the bodhran to the didgeridoo.

The film follows the musicians' journey as they explore Mali through music. Along the way the viewer learns that music is an essential form of communication and education for a country like Mali where illiteracy is rife. Liam and Paddy's journey weaves along the river Niger, stopping in villages and river towns such as Mopti and Djenne. The style is observational and experiential; Liam and Paddy develop a deep respect for each other's music and delight in absorbing the culture and musical riches of Mali. They bring the harp, Bodhran, whistles and Uillean pipes to Mali.

The Film went on to gain the coveted runner-up Audience Award at the Dublin Film Festival earlier this year and will screen in St. John's in Listowel on Thursday, November 6th. Liam will play a concert in St. John's in Listowel on Friday, November 7th. Tickets for both events are available from St. John's on 068 23485 or on the door on the night. Both events will begin at 8:00 pm.

The film will also screen in St. James' Church in Dingle on Saturday, November 8th as the official closing night film of the Kerry Film Festival and will be immediately followed by a Liam O' Maonlai concert. Tickets are available from the Kerry Film Festival Box Office on 066 712 9934 or on the door on the night. The event begins 8:00 pm sharp and tickets, which are 20 euro, cover both the film and the concert. Kerry Film Festival is providing a bus service that will run from Tralee to Dingle for the Film and Concert. The Bus will leave Fels Point Hotel after the Kerry Film Festival Awards Ceremony, which sees all the winning shorts from the Festival screen and Oscar winning Irish Actress Brenda Fricker pick up the inaugural Maureen O' Hara award. The Bus will return to Fels Point after the Film and Concert. For more details please call Kerry Film Festival on 066 712 9934.

The director, Dearbhla Glynn and the producer, Vanessa Gildea will be on hand for both screenings to answer questions.

For more information on the Kerry Film Festival, please log onto www.kerryfilmfestival.com or call 066 712 9934. Tickets for all events are available from the Kerry Film Festival box office on 066 712 9934.