Discover Industry Events at DIFF 2024
Posted: 16th February 2024
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland (Screen Ireland) is proud to support the 2024 edition of the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) and its line-up of industry and public events.
Industry Events
First Frame
Limerick: Tuesday, 20th February / TUS Millenium Theatre / All day
Dublin : Wednesday, 21st February / Light House Cinema / All day
The First Frame Film Student Day at DIFF was launched in 2020. For the fifth anniversary, and as part of the competition, the festival will showcase two programmes of short films submitted by students with two fully student-dedicated days, one in Limerick as a collaboration with LSAD TUS and one in Dublin.
The First Frame initiative brings together students from over 50 film courses, universities and further education institutions from around Ireland to come together and view a curated selection of student films. Additionally, students are invited to participate in workshops and panels with film talent. It's an excellent opportunity for course leaders and students to network with their peers as part of an international film event.
First Frame encourages film students from around the world to engage with DIFF, and to expand their own networks outside of their academic courses.
First Frame in Limerick is hosted by LSAD TUS Department of Digital Arts and Media.
Twig: A Casting Case Study
Friday, 23rd February / The Complex / 14:00 – 15:00
Join us in the discussion of casting for TWIG, the DIFF 2024 opening night film, with its two casting directors and a group of actors. Celebrating diversity and young talent, TWIG is an exciting case to explore casting in Ireland today. The Panel is hosted by Grainne Humphreys, the DIFF Director.
Participants:
- Casting directors: Louise Kiely and Thyrza Ging
- Cast: Jack Meade, Kate Stanley Brennan, Justin Anene, Ghaliah Conroy, Donncha Tynan, Jade Jordan, and Emmet Farrell.
- Host: Grainne Humphreys
International Film Programmers Panels
Panel 1: Saturday, 24th February / The Complex / 10:30 - 12:00
Panel 2: Tuesday, 27th February / The Complex / 10:30 - 11:30
These panels offer a comprehensive discussion on festival policies, submission criteria, and crucial deadlines, providing essential insights for those preparing international festival strategies and aiming at success. Chaired by Ciaran Walsh (Culture Ireland).
Saturday, 24th February panelists:
- Karel Och – Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Czech Republic)
- Kristy Matheson – Director, BFI Festivals (UK)
- Ania Trzebiatowska – Sundance Film Festival (United States)
Tuesday, 27th February panelists:
- Julia Weigl – Munich International Film Festival (Germany)
- Ione Hernández –Selection Committee, San Sebastian Film Festival (Spain)
- Sven Pötting – 36 Filmfest Dresden (Germany)
- Estrella Araiza – Guadalajara IFF – FICG (Mexico)
Masterclass with Kevin MacDonald
Sunday, 25th February / The Complex / 15:00 - 16:00
The Dublin International Film Festival has invited Scottish film director Kevin Macdonald to give a masterclass on directing in conversation with Ross Whitaker. The Oscar-winning director is known for his feature and documentary films, including One Day in September (1999), Touching the Void (2003), the drama The Last King of Scotland (2006), and the Whitney Houston documentary Whitney (2018). His most recent film, High & Low: John Galliano, is featured in this year’s DIFF programme.
Irish Film Programmers Network Event and Lunch
Monday, 26th February / The Complex / 11:00
Over the summer of 2020, a small group of Irish film programmers came together to share insights and knowledge about filmmakers, audiences, festival and cinema exhibition, and the move to online screening platforms. These groups expanded rapidly to include many cinemas and film festivals throughout Ireland and the UK. The group met online on a monthly basis to share resources and updates on their events and were often joined by international colleagues who shared their experiences with the group.
Programming colleagues are very welcome to this first in-person event on Monday 26th February at 11am, joined by Isra from T A P E Collective and followed by a long over-due lunch.
Ireland-France Co-Production Day
Wednesday, 28th February / The Complex / 10:00 - 18:00
The Ireland-France Co-Production Day will present an opportunity to showcase the collaborative efforts between the two nations during the panel, as well as establish new connections during one-on-one sessions between French and Irish film producers.
Co-Production Day is supported by CNC, the French Embassy in Dublin, and Screen Ireland.
Embedding Sustainability Practices: How to Promote Sustainability on Any Budget Level
Thursday, 29th February / Goethe Institute / 16:30
A number of screen industry professionals discuss case-studies in an effort to promote more sustainable production practices on any budget level.
Moderator: Anthony Muldoon (SPI)
Panellists: Alex DeValera (Sustainability Manager & Advisor), Evan Horan (Producer, Keeper Pictures), Stan Nangle (Sustainability Advisor), Aoibhín Murphy (Producer & Development Assistant, Newgrange Pictures), 1 more panellist TBC.
International Sales Agent event
Friday, 1st March / Goethe Institute / 14:00 - 15:30
Following hugely successful Sales Agents events in the past years, DIFF have invited Nicolai Korsgaard from TrustNordisk, one of the largest sales agents in Europe, to meet with Irish filmmakers at DIFF 2024, with an introduction by Orla Clancy from Creative Europe. Join us to learn more about current trends in sales and acquisition.
Masterclass with Guy Maddin
Saturday, 2nd March / The Light House Cinema / 11:00
Guy Maddin is a Canadian filmmaker known for his distinctive storytelling style, surreal humour and experimental visual approach.
With acclaimed works like “My Winnipeg,” “Archangel,” “Brand Upon the Brain,” and “The Green Fog” (all featured in our retrospective programme this year!), Maddin has had an invaluable influence on world cinema. This session provides an opportunity to delve into his pioneering techniques, narrative innovations, and creative process. DIFF 2024 invites you to immerse yourself in the filmmaker’s body of work through screenings and gain valuable insights from his extensive experience during this masterclass.
The masterclass will be hosted by Irish writer/director Paul Duane, a longtime admirer of Maddin’s work, whose feature All You Need Is Death goes on release in April 2024.
Public Events
Tanqueray 0.0% Film Club - In Conversation with Hugo Weaving
Thursday, 22nd February / The Complex / 16:00
The internationally renowned Actor Hugo Weaving sits down for In Conversation with RTÉ’s, Michael Doherty.
With an illustrious career across theatre, indie film, and several global franchises, Weaving rose to prominence through a stand-out performance in the award-winning Proof (1991), followed three years later by a starring role in the cult classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994). Now, Weaving is celebrated for his portrayals of the enigmatic Agent Smith in The Matrix franchise, the much-revered Elrond in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and the vigilante ‘V’ in V for Vendetta (2005).
NCAD Poster Exhibition: Alternate Take
Thursay, 22nd February - Sunday 2nd March / The Light House Cinema
This exhibition celebrates this year’s programme with a showcase of inventive and dynamic film posters. Festival films come to life through the creative lens of second-year illustration students at NCAD. From national to international titles, this unique collaboration brings an exciting mix of styles and approaches to the art of the film poster.
TWIG Cinematographer Declan Quinn In Conversation with Tim Fleming, ISC
Friday, 23rd February / The Complex / 12:00 - 13:00
A public talk between the TWIG cinematographer Declan Quinn and cinematographer Tim Fleming, ISC, discussing Declan’s work on this film and his thoughts on cinematography based on his vast experience including Jim Sheridan’s In America, numerous TV series, and Broadway’s Hamilton.
Tanqueray 0.0% Film Club - In Conversation with Trudie Styler
Friday, 23rd February / The Complex / 18:00 - 19:30
For the inaugural Tanqueray Film Club event, the award-winning Trudie Styler, joins audiences at DIFF to talk about her work as a prolific film producer and director. Trudie was integral in discovering Guy Ritchie and executive produced his first two films – Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrells (1998) and Snatch (2000). She also founded the production company Maven Screen Media which has produced the hit films Filth (2013) and American Honey (2016).
African Season: Crafting Authentic Narratives
Saturday, 24th February / The Complex / 16:00 - 17:00
This panel brings together accomplished filmmakers from across Africa, including emerging makers whose films have been earned critical acclaim at Cannes Film Festival. The panel will explore the challenges of sharing diverse cultures with a global audience. They will explore different approaches to navigating language, context, and storytelling whilst maintaining a strong cultural authenticity. The discussion aims to explore how cinema helps shape, celebrate, and appreciate African storytelling.
Speakers Include:
- Mohamed Kordofani, writer & director of Goodbye Julia
- Oge Obasi, producer of Mami Wata
- Ramata-Toulaye Sy, writer and director of Banel & Adama
Tanqueray 0.0% Film Club - Amy Huberman In Conversation with DIFF Discovery Award Nominees
Sunday, 25th February / The Complex / 12:30
The Festival Awards champion excellence in filmmaking. Each year a panel of industry judges select a cohort of Discovery Award Nominees and Winners to identify, champion, support and encourage new and emerging talent both in front of and behind the camera. Irish actor and writer Amy Huberman (Finding Joy, 2018, The Stag, 2013, Satellites & Meteorites, 2008) will introduce the ten 2024 nominees, finding out more about them, their work, and how an award like this supports new talent.
Following the In Conversation, the DIFF Award Ceremony will take place. The DIFF Awards offer recognition for every type of film and every kind of filmmaker, at any stage of their career. Your ticket will include access to the ceremony.
In The Room: The Future of Documentary Cinema
Sunday, 25th February / The Complex / 16:30
With documentary features like Pray For Our Sinners and North Circular drawing audiences to busy cinema screenings, the Irish documentary cinema scene is in good health. But how should this vibrant, dynamic creative sector make the most of the opportunity to play on the big screen? In this age of streaming and social media, what does the in-cinema experience have to offer documentary filmmakers and their audiences?
Using recent IrIsh documentary projects as case studies, a panel of filmmakers, exhibitors and journalists will discuss the potential and joy of cinema documentary, how cinemas have a new future as both discussion salons and performance spaces, and how to make film screenings into compelling in-person experiences that audiences find unmissable.
Chair: Derek O’Connor (RTE Culture, Sound Film Festival, formerly Darklight Film Festival)
Panel: Luke McManus, Filmmaker (North Circular, The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid)
Sinéad O’Shea, Filmmaker (Pray For Our Sinner, A Mother Brings Her Son To Be Shot)Alice Black (Head of Film Programming, Element Cinemas)
+ More TBC.
IFCO Centenary Lecture Series
Monday 26th February / The Complex / 16:30
To mark the Centenary of the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO), the Dublin International Film Festival is partnering with IFCO to present three vibrant and exciting presentations based on documents in the IFCO Collection in the National Archives.
As part of the Decade of Centenaries, the anniversary also marks the deposit of all the remaining IFCO records from the censorship period to the National Archives. These records represent a fascinating insight into cinema exhibition in Ireland and the central role which censorship played in shaping Irish film culture.
Three emerging film and media students and early career researchers - Rachel Heavey, Fionnuala Parfrey and Ciara Whelan - have been selected to review these records and present their findings to the public, on the topics of their choice.
ReFraming Irish Film
Tuesday, 27th February / The Complex / 14:00
ReFraming Irish Film will celebrate the Irish films and filmmakers of colour in DIFF 2024. They will discuss exciting new films, explore previously invisible cultures, forgotten histories, and how filmmakers are challenging stereotypes while designing the future of a new Ireland. Join the filmmakers!
Irish Cinematography Public Talk
Tuesday, 27th February / The Complex / 16:00 - 17:30
A public talk between the Dear Jassi cinematographer Brendan Galvin, ISC, and cinematographer Tim Fleming, ISC, discussing both Brendan’s work on this film, and his long collaboration with director Tarsem Singh as well as his thoughts on cinematography and visual storytelling in general.
Scoring the Story: A Focus on Composing for Documentary
Wednesday, 28th February / The Complex / 14:30-15:30
Join a panel discussion with composers Denis Clohessy (Breaking Brothers) and Tom Hodge (High & Low – John Galliano) on their approaches to composing for these two documentaries from DIFF 2024 programme. This is an exciting opportunity to hear film composers talk on their wider work in documentary music, on the process involved in bringing score to the screen, on collaborating with filmmakers and share their thoughts on how music contributes to the story.
Tanqueray 0.0% Film Club - In Conversation with Steve McQueen
Wednesday, 28th February / The Complex / 18:00 - 20:00
The Tanqueray 0.0% Film Club will host an exclusive interview with the award winning director, filmmaker, and Turner Prize winning artist Steve McQueen. Known for titles including his acclaimed first feature Hunger (2008), the multi award winning 12 Years a Slave (2013), and the BAFTA award winning Small Axe series (2021), Steve McQueen will be joined by Irish actor and screenwriter Mark O’Halloran (Conversations with Friends, 2022, Adam & Paul, 2004) who will interview him ahed of the prestigious Volta Award presentation.
Volta Award Presentation and Q&A: Isabelle Huppert
Thursday, 29th February / The Light House Cinema / 12:00
In this special presentation, Isabelle Huppert will be awarded the Festival’s career achievement award, the Volta. The presentation of the award will be following an‘ In Conversation’ with Irish actor, writer and director Olwen Fouéré (The Tourist, The Northman, Texas Chainsaw Massacre).