Deadly Cuts will close the online Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival 3-14 March 2021
Posted: 3rd February 2021
The Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival (VMDIFF) launched its full programme today, 3rd February, with Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth who joined Festival Director Gráinne Humphreys in an online celebration of the power of film to bring people together and explore the world in new ways.
Running from 3-14 March 2021, the Festival has been re-imagined to bring audiences the best of new films and classics, with a strong line-up of Screen Ireland-supported Irish feature and short films. This year the festival will come to audiences via screening portal Eventive. Watch the trailer for the festival below:
Shining a spotlight on domestic film talent, the Irish selection includes Screen Ireland-supported and Irish feature film projects such as Rachel Carey’s deliciously dark comedy Deadly Cuts as this year’s Virgin Media Closing Gala; Cathal Nally’s gangster comedy Be Good or Be Gone, Ivan Kavanagh’s much anticipated Son; Tadgh O’Sullivan’s acclaimed To the Moon; Piotr Domalewski’s moving exploration of the Polish/Irish experience I Never Cry, and wickedly funny horror The Boys from County Hell from Chris Baugh.
Each year the festival is extremely proud to host special events with some of the world’s best filmmakers, some of which are supported by Screen Ireland and Screen Skills Ireland. One of the highlights of the Festival will be the In-Conversation event between iconic filmmaker Steve McQueen and one of Ireland’s leading filmmakers Mark O’Halloran offering a fantastic insight into McQueen’s artistic process.
This year VMDIFF will present an impressive seven programmes of Irish and international shorts, including Screen Ireland Short Film Selection, a Young Audiences selection and the Warner Media LGBTQ selection, as well as hosting the Virgin Media Discovers Short Film Competition, in association with Screen Ireland.
Realising the central role of festivals within the domestic film industry, VMDIFF has a number of industry initiatives, including the Aer Lingus Discovery Award for emerging talent with judges including Franklin Leonard (founder of the Black List), First Frame Film Student Initiative sponsored by Warner Bros which will welcome famed US producer Dede Gardner, the Young film critics initiative and various talks and events throughout the festival.
Gráinne Humphreys, Festival Director:
“It has been a very different selection process this year, but as we finally announce the programme I’m extremely proud of this year’s line-up – there are some lovely premieres and previews, some old favourites and some wonderful discoveries and debuts from around the world. There is depth and diversity in the new world cinema programme, exciting new talent in the Irish programme and a dynamic documentary section. We have reached out to old and new friends to join us for our online presentation and the guest list is growing every day. I hope that this year’s programme will excite and delight both our regular attendees and attract new audiences to this year’s celebration of the best of independent cinema. It’s been a long climb to get here – but we believe the view is worth it.”
The 2021 Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival box office is now open and tickets are on sale at www.diff.ie
The Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival would like to acknowledge the continuing support of the Arts Council and Screen Ireland.