Chicago Tribune

Irish American Movie Hooley moves to new locales this year, with an Irish ghost story, an Irish homecoming and American memories of Sept. 11

Mike Houlihan, founder of the Irish American Movie Hooley, is pictured at the Emerald Loop tavern in Chicago in this file photo.

CHICAGO — In addition to the many other creative activities of Mike Houlihan, which have included actor, writer, radio host and political consultant, he became a film festival impresario nearly a decade ago and is still at it, happily.

“It’s been a real joy to be exposed to films few people get to see,” he tells me.

This role was born of the frustration he felt at not being able to find a film festival home for two films that he directed and produced, “Her Majesty, ‘da Queen,” a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the process and politics involved in selecting Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day

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