Imports from Ireland

Several film festivals grace the Southland this week.

The American Cinematheque’s Aero Theatre will be wearing the green with its Los Angeles Irish Film Festival, beginning tonight with the 2008 documentary “Gabriel Byrne: Stories From Home,” a profile of the Emmy-nominated star of HBO’s “In Treatment.” Rounding out the bill is 2008’s “Peacefire,” a gritty drama revolving around a police informant.

Rupert Grint (“Harry Potter”) and James Nesbitt star in the current drama “Cherrybomb,” scheduled for Friday along with the 2008 documentary “Identities,” which explores the Irish transgender community. Several documentary shorts are set for Saturday afternoon, as well as a family matinee of 2009’s “The Secret of the Kells.” Screening Saturday night are last year’s “Kisses” and this year’s “Waveriders,” a documentary dealing with surfing in Ireland.

Sunday’s programming includes the 25th anniversary celebration of the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, with screenings of its filmmaking graduates’ works and also a tribute to the late playwright Hugh Leonard, with a screening of the 1988 film version of his award-winning play “Da.”

German Currents, a festival of new German cinema, begins Wednesday at the Aero Theatre with 2008’s “North Face,” an adventure based on a true story about a competition in 1936 to climb the most dangerous rock face in the Alps. Star Benno Furmann and producer Boris Schonfelder will appear. www.americancinematheque.com.

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The Valley Film Festival begins Wednesday at El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. Opening night features the short “Happy Birthday / I’m Dead” and “Junkie Nurse.” www.valleyfilmfest.com.

In bloom again

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences fetes the 30th anniversary of the musical drama “The Rose” on Friday at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Bette Midler, who received an Oscar nomination for her performance as a self-destructive Janis Joplin-esque singer, will appear in a taped message. There will also be a discussion with director Mark Rydell and actors Barry Primus and Doris Roberts. Times film critic Betsy Sharkey is the host. www.oscars.org.

Motion painting

Basque abstract artist Jose Antonio Sistiaga painted directly onto films with homemade inks to create his 1970 silent, “ere erera baleibu icik subua aruaren,” which screens Sunday at the Silent Movie Theatre. The veteran punk rock group Savage Republic will perform a newly commissioned score. Preceded by Sistiaga’s short film, “Impressions En Haute Atmosphere.” www.silentmovietheatre.com.

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susan.king@latimes.com