The Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF; ) is an annual film festival held in Dublin, Ireland, since 2003.

History

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 Michael Dwyer and journalist and broadcaster Myles Dungan. David 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." The festival secured €25,000 in funding from the Arts Council of Ireland for planning purposes the first year which has since 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; it was called the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF). The festival was also supported by a number of significant partners including 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 also introduced the Audience Award recipients of which include Once and the 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 with Gráinne Humphreys replacing Michael Dwyer as Festival Director and Joanne O'Hagan assuming the role, formerly held by Rory Concannon, of chief executive officer. Michael Dwyer assumed the position of Chairman of the Dublin International Film Festival Board with David McLoughlin stepping down. Over 38,000 admissions were recorded for the 2008 festival for ticketed events. Non ticketed events include 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 that they were shot on. The festival has come to be regarded as an important event for the cinema of Ireland, bringing together film-makers, actors, producers and other celebrities from Ireland and around the world. The festival continues to be committed to supporting film and in 2008 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 – 22 February 2009. In 2016, the original sponsors, Jameson, were replaced by Audi after thirteen years of sponsorship. The festival was then called the Audi Dublin International Film Festival (ADIFF) and the new sponsorship deal lasted three years. In 2018, Virgin Media Ireland committed to sponsoring the festival for three years, starting in 2019, and it was called the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival (VMDIFF). Since 2022 the festival has had no name sponsor.

Awards

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.

2007

2008

The 2008 festival was held from 15 to 24 February 2008.

2009

2010

The 2010 festival was held from 18 to 28 February 2010. Career Achievement Awards: Audience Award: His & Hers Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards:

2011

The 2011 festival was held from 17 to 27 February 2011. Career Achievement Awards: Audience Award: Benda Bilili! Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards:

2012

Volta Awards: Audience Award: The Raid: Redemption Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards:

2013

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:

2014

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:

2015

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:

2016

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:

2017

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:

2018

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

2019

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:

2020

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:

2021

The 2021 festival took place during 3–14 March. Dublin Film Critics' Circle Awards:

2022

The 2022 festival took place from 23 February to 6 March. Adam McKay received the Volta Award.

2023

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:

2024

The 2024 festival took place from 22 February to March 2.