Dublin International Film Festival

The Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF; Irish: Féile Scannán Idirnáisiúnta Bhaile Átha Cliath) is an annual film festival that has been held in Dublin, Ireland, since 2003.
The Dublin International Film Festival was established in 2003. It was revived by Michael Dwyer, international film critic and The Irish Times chief film correspondent, along with David McLoughlin, film producer. (The original Dublin Film Festival was founded in 1985 by Dwyer and journalist and broadcaster Myles Dungan.) McLoughlin joined while still an undergraduate in Trinity College Dublin. The festival was established to present an opportunity for Dublin's cinema-going audiences to experience the best in Irish and international cinema.
"Dublin has remarkable film attendance per capita, among the highest in Europe, certainly the highest in the EU," Dwyer said in a 2003 interview. "It seems absurd that the city didn't have an international film festival."
In the first year, the festival secured €25,000 in funding from the Arts Council of Ireland for planning purposes. The funds then increased to over €100,000. Jameson Irish Whiskey was the title sponsor of the festival, providing significant support for many years and backing the festival with a major marketing campaign; the festival was called the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF). The festival was also supported by partners such as The Irish Times, FM104, Conrad Hotel, Cineworld, McConnells, MSL Mercedes-Benz, Windmill Lane and Cine Electric. Other funders include the Irish Film Board, Dublin City Council, Fáilte Ireland and a number of cultural institutions, including the Goethe-Institut.
In 2007, the festival introduced a career achievement award, the Volta Award, to celebrate individuals who have made a significant contribution to the world of film. In the same year, the festival introduced the Audience Award recipients, which include Once and a surfing documentary, Waveriders.
Festival venues include the Screen Cinema, Hawkins Street; Cineworld, Parnell Street; the Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street and the Irish Film Institute, Eustace Street. In 2008 Movies@Dundrum was used as a venue. In 2009 the Light House Cinema, Smithfield, was added as a venue.
2008 saw a significant change to the festival's executive roles: Gráinne Humphreys replaced Michael Dwyer as festival director, and Joanne O'Hagan assumed the role, formerly held by Rory Concannon, of chief executive officer. Dwyer assumed the position of chairman of the Dublin International Film Festival Board, and David McLoughlin stepped down.
Over 38,000 admissions were recorded for the 2008 festival for ticketed events. Non-ticketed events included a citywide installation—Dublin on Screen—to celebrate Dublin's cinematic heritage. The initiative featured films shot on location in Dublin and screened on the very spot they were shot on.
The festival is regarded as an important event for the cinema of Ireland, bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers and other celebrities from Ireland and around the world. The festival is committed to supporting film. In 2008, it initiated a significant International Screen Writing Award: Write Here, Write Now. The winner of the award was announced at the 2009 festival, which took place from 12 February to 22 February 2009.
In 2016, the original sponsors, Jameson Irish Whiskey, were replaced by Audi after thirteen years of sponsorship. The festival was then called the Audi Dublin International Film Festival (ADIFF). The new sponsorship deal lasted three years.
In 2018, Virgin Media Ireland committed to sponsoring the festival for three years, starting in 2019, and the festival was called the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival (VMDIFF). Since 2022, the festival has had no name sponsor.
The festival introduced the Volta Awards in 2007. The award is named after Dublin's first cinema, the Volta Picture Theatre, established by author James Joyce in 1905. Awards are given for career achievement and audience favourite. Critics' awards were first presented in 2009. The Michael Dwyer Discovery Award' was created in 2010 after his death to honour Irish people working in film.
The 2008 festival was held from 15 to 24 February 2008.
The 2010 festival was held from 18 to 28 February 2010.
Career Achievement Awards:
Audience Award: His & Hers
Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards:
The 2011 festival was held from 17 to 27 February 2011.
Career Achievement Awards:
Audience Award: Benda Bilili!
Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards:
Volta Awards:
Audience Award: The Raid: Redemption
Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards:
The 2013 festival ran from 14 to 24 February.
Volta Career Achievement Awards:
The Dublin Film Critics Circle selected the following winners:
Jury Prizes were awarded to:
The 2014 festival ran from 13 to 23 February.
Volta Career Achievement Awards:
The Dublin Film Critics Circle selected the following winners:
Jury Prizes were awarded to:
The 2015 festival ran from 19 to 29 March.
Volta Career Achievement Awards:
The Dublin Film Critics Circle selected the following winners:
Audience Awards went to:
Special Jury Prizes were awarded to:
The 2016 festival ran from 18 to 28 February.
Volta Career Achievement Awards:
The Dublin Film Critics Circle selected the following winners:
AUDI-ence Awards went to:
Special Jury Prizes were awarded to:
ADIFF Discovery Awards went to:
The festival ran from 16 to 26 February.
Volta Career Achievement Awards:
The Dublin Film Critics' Circle selected the following winners:
Special Jury Prizes were awarded to:
AUDI-ence Award:
ADIFF Discovery Awards went to:
The festival began on 22 February. Its ending was extended to 12 March due to the "Beast from the East" snowstorm.
Volta Career Achievement Award:
The Dublin Film Critics Circle selected the following winners:
Jury Prizes were awarded to:
ADIFF Discovery Awards went to:
Short film awards:
AUDI-ence Awards went to:
Fantastic Flix Children's Jury Awards
Virgin Media Ireland was the sponsor for the 2019 festival, which was held 20 February – 3 March.
Volta Awards:
Short film awards:
Audience Awards went to:
Discovery Awards went to:
Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival Documentary prize:
Dublin Human Rights Film Award:
Children's Jury Awards:
Young Programmer's Choice Award:
The Dublin Film Critics Circle selected the following winners:
The 2020 festival took place between 26 February and 8 March.
Volta Awards:
Audience Awards:
Aer Lingus Discovery Awards:
Documentary Competition:
Short Film Awards, supported by Griffith College:
Irish Council for Civil Liberties Human Rights Film Award:
Lifetime Contribution Award: Liam Cunningham, actor
Fantastic Flix Jury Awards, as chosen by The Ark's Children's Jury:
Dublin Film Critics' Circle Awards:
The 2021 festival took place during 3–14 March.
Dublin Film Critics' Circle Awards:
The 2022 festival took place from 23 February to 6 March. Adam McKay received the Volta Award.
The 2023 festival took place from 23 February to 4 March. Actress Emily Watson received the Volta Award.
Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards went to:
The 2024 festival took place from 22 February to March 2.
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