The Dublin International Film Festival is preparing to roll out the red carpet, as the 40th rendition of their annual celebration of cinema is set to get underway. The capital is set to transform into a vibrant hub of cinematic culture over 11 days from the 20th of February to the 2nd of March.
In an interview with Aedín Gormley on RTÉ Lyric FM, Executive Festival Director Gráinne Humphreys said: “Following the success of last year’s festival, we are delighted to present what we believe is an equally exciting programme of films and guests to the audiences of Dublin and beyond.”
Humphreys asked fans: “With our superb lineup of international features and documentaries, a packed industry programme and as ever a line-up of world premieres of new Irish work, what more can you ask for?”
This year’s festival will feature 80 films in total, including the world-premiere of ten Irish films, as well as 55 short films set to light up the big screen.
This year’s festival will also see the appearance of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars such as Ralph Fiennes, Jessica Lange, Ed Harris and Fiona Shaw all set to make their way to the banks of the Liffey.
Uberto Passolini’s The Return, starring Academy award nominee Fiennes, will open the festival at The Lighthouse cinema in Smithfield. The festival will then close with Irish director Darren Thornton’s Four Mothers which has previously collected awards at both the London Film Festival and the Chicago International Film Festival.
Ralph Fiennes in The Return.
Jessica Lange and Ed Harris will receive the prestigious Volta award in recognition for their illustrious careers, joining the likes of Steve McQueen, Al Pacino, Daniel Day Lewis, and Dame Julie Andrews who are all former recipients of the award. Lange and Harris will also be in attendance for the world premiere of their movie Long Day’s Journey into Night, Jonathan Kent’s adaptation of Eugene O’ Neill’s book of the same name.
Even with some of the biggest names in cinema, the spotlight shines brightly upon the premiere of many highly anticipated Irish films. One of which is Irish director Stephen Bradley’s football comedy Fran the Man which will see former Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon lace up his boots. Dublin native Claire Frances Byrne’s will make her feature directorial debut with her 90’s coming of age story Ready or Not.
Ardal O’Hanlon in Fran the Man.
Documentaries will also be screened at the festival which will cover a wide array of subject matter from the “wonders of seaweed” to Aoife Kelleher’s capture of the fight for justice for survivors of the Magdalene Laundries in her documentary Testimony.
The final day will see the return of the surprise film gala, which is one of the most beloved traditions of the festival. No-one, not even the projectionist knows the title of the film, which leaves the audience buzzing with excitement and anticipation until the moment of discovery.
For further information on booking and screenings visit diff.ie
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