Dublin International Film Festival announces 2026 Awards
Posted: 5th March 2026
The 24th edition of the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) concluded after eleven vibrant days celebrating Irish and international cinema, culminating in the world premiere of Power Ballad, directed by John Carney and starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. The Festival was proudly supported by Screen Ireland as its Official Industry Partner.
Grainne Humphreys said: “It’s been an incredible year for DIFF – we presented a world-class programme that has reached more people, spotlighted more Irish films, and celebrated more international guests than ever before. Believe it or not, we are already receiving emails of interest for next year, which marks our 25th anniversary year! The Festival might only be 11 days, and over for now, but we have programmes, events and workshop across the year; keeping cinema culture alive and thriving in the Irish capital.”
With an expanded programme of world premieres, Irish features, international discoveries and industry events, the festival welcomed more than 25,000 attendees across its eleven-day run. Final figures confirm that the box office surpassed last year’s totals by 11%, marking continued growth for DIFF and reflecting strong audience demand across screenings and events.
Irish filmmaking was front and centre, with a record 23 Irish features, including 17 world premieres, highlighting the strength, ambition, and diversity of contemporary Irish cinema. The festival also showcased a powerful slate of premieres, including The Slightest Touch, 500 Miles, Guggi, and The Charlie O’Leary Story, each drawing packed houses and enthusiastic audience response.
One of DIFF’s most anticipated traditions returned with the annual surprise film screening. Audiences packed the cinema, competing to win a season pass by correctly guessing the title in advance. No one successfully predicted the mystery selection, revealed to be Gus van Sant’s tense 1970s-style thriller Dead Man’s Wire.
As always, the Festival’s awards were a standout moment, honouring outstanding storytelling, craft, and performance while reflecting the breadth and diversity of the 2026 programme.
Career Achievement Volta Award
A defining moment of the closing weekend saw the festival present its highest honour, the Career Achievement Volta Award, to BAFTA winner and Academy Award nominee Ellen Mirojnick and SAG Award nominee Paul Rudd. The presentations coincided with the World Premiere of Power Ballad.
“It is a profound honour to receive the Volta Award,” Mirojnick said. “It is an accolade rooted in a cinema founded by James Joyce, a storyteller who understood the power of detail and interior life. Costume design has always been my way into character, a means of exploring psychology, history, identity and transformation through fabric and silhouette. To be recognised for this work, and to share in a festival that so deeply values craft and screen culture, is incredibly meaningful.”
ICCL Human Rights Film Award
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) Human Rights Film Award was presented to Everybody to Kenmure Street, with director Felipe Bustos Sierra in attendance from Scotland. The gripping documentary captures the extraordinary moment when Glasgow residents united to prevent the deportation of their neighbours, sparking a grassroots movement that reshaped their community.
“I lived in Dublin for a couple of months in 2001 before moving down to Cork. I was hoping to get enough money to live but also to buy a wee camcorder to make films with. This was my first trip back to Dublin and it was wild to premiere the film and receive this award. On behalf of the whole team, thank you so much!” Felipe Bustos Sierra said on receiving the award.
Best Documentary Award
The Best Documentary Award went to The Slightest Touch, directed by Rachel Fleit and produced by Fine Point Films and Chapel Place Productions. The film follows Emma Fogarty, who lives with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). This rare and extremely painful genetic condition leaves her skin so fragile that it blisters and tears at the slightest touch. As she turns 40 – an age doctors once predicted she would never reach – she accepts an offer from her long-time friend Colin Farrell to complete the Dublin Marathon together, with Farrell pushing her wheelchair for the final miles.
The Audience Award went to Gays Against Guns, which also received a Special Mention in the documentary category. The film follows queer Irish immigrant Paul Rowley as he confronts America’s gun violence epidemic, blending personal reflection with fearless activism and featuring contributions from legendary filmmaker John Waters.
“Gays Against Guns is a film about empathy and caring for other people, so to know that the film has connected so deeply with audiences means the world to us.” said Paul Rowley, the films director.
Taking home, the Audience award for the shorts was Molly and the Robot from Monaghan director, Táine King.
Avolon World Cinema Award
The Avolon World Cinema Award, recognising excellence in international storytelling, was presented to Water Can Go Anywhere, directed by Fang Liang. The film offers a compelling portrait of life inside a Shenzhen factory and the human stories behind modern industry.
The jury – actor Aidan Gillen; actor/director Rebecca Miller; Michael Doherty, Movie Editor of the RTÉ Guide; Wendy Mitchell, Contributing Editor for Screen International; and Ciara Ruane, Chief People Officer at Avolon.
Shorts Awards
- Best International Short: Wonderwall
- International Short Special Mention: Happy Birthday
- Best Animated Short: The Gnawer of Rocks
- Animated Short Special Mention: Praying Mantis
- Sue Bruce-Smith Award for Best Irish Short: Sub5
- Irish Short Special Mentions: Emergency Accommodation and His House, Home
Winner of the Sue Bruce-Smith Award for Best Irish Short was Sub5. Director Laura Kavanagh said: “I am beyond thrilled to have received the award for Best Irish Short Film for SUB 5. DIFF premiered my first ever ‘no-budget short’ back in 2018 and bolstered my confidence to pursue my writing and directing ambitions. I will be forever grateful for that, and to Screen Ireland and Virgin Media for providing me with this opportunity. Sue Bruce-Smith was an inspiration to many filmmakers in both the UK and Ireland. She once said, ‘Be properly ambitious and confident in your own ability and be sure to see that ambition realised.’ Massive shout out to all of the Sub5 team, especially writer and pal Rhona McAuliffe - it takes a village and a tonne of hard work. Thank you!”
First Frame, now in its eight year brings together students from over 50 film courses, universities, and further education institutions from around Ireland to view a curated selection of student films in competition. 2026 saw over 120 submissions, 35 of which were selected for screening by the DIFF programming team with two fully student-dedicated days during DIFF 2026: one in Galway in collaboration with ATU, and one in Dublin.
Discovery Awards
Presented to Ellius Grace, Joseph Ingersoll, and Olivia McLaughlin, the Discovery Awards champion emerging talent both in front of and behind the camera.
Malcolm Campbell said about the nominees this year, “The ten Discovery nominees this year were extraordinary, each bringing remarkable talent and vision. Watching their work was inspiring and left us incredibly optimistic about the future of Irish filmmaking.”
Dublin International Film Festival 2026 is proudly supported by its Principal Funder, the Arts Council; Industry Partner, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland; Global Partner, Avolon; Film Club Partner, The Irish Times; Car Partner, Renault; Education Partner, Institute of Art, Design + Technology Dún Laoghaire; Audience Partner, Light House; Media Partners, RTÉ Supporting the Arts, Pearl & Dean, Screen International, Hotel Partner, The Merrion Dublin; Post-Production Partner, Outer Limits; Print Transport Partner, Wells Cargo.