Discover Industry & Public Events at the 21st Dublin International Film Festival
Posted: 15th February 2023
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland (Screen Ireland) is proud to support the 21st edition of the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) and the line-up of industry and public panels and events for emerging and established filmmakers and film lovers taking place throughout the festival’s run from 23rd February to 4th March 2023.
Industry Events
International Sales Agent Event
Thursday, 2nd March / Instituto Cervantes / 09:30
Screen Ireland and Creative Europe Ireland – Media Desk, in partnership with DIFF are delighted to present a day focused on European Sales at the upcoming festival.
This event will be an invaluable opportunity for upcoming producers to learn more about Independent Sales and Distribution in 2023. Some of the top Sales Agents in Europe will be attending including representatives from Architect, Autlook, Bankside, Charades, Cornerstone, Global Screen and New Europe Film Sales.
The event will include:
- a keynote from acclaimed sales agent Calum Gray, plus a case study presented by New Europe Film Sales
- a networking lunch
- 1-1 company meetings*
*Details on how to apply for a limited number of one-to-one meetings on the day will follow registration. Please note that the number of meetings available will be extremely limited.
RSVP to industry@diff.ie by Monday, 20th February.
International Festival Programmers
Saturday, 25th February / Instituto Cervantes / 10:30
This panel in partnership with Culture Ireland invites programmers from leading international film festivals to discuss their festival and programming policies, deadlines, submission criteria, as well as vital information for programmers preparing their own international festival strategy. Panellists include:
- Rachel Rosen / New York Film Festival
- Sharon Badal / Tribeca Film Festival
- Christoph Terhechte / Doc Leipzig
- Jaie LaPlante / Doc NYC
- Ania Trzebiatowska / Sundance Film Festival
Maximising Your Festival Presence
Wednesday, 1st March / The Generator, Smithfield / 17:15
Fionnuala Halligan (Screen International) and Jonathan Rutter (Premier PR) will discuss how filmmakers can use their DIFF launch to successfully maximise their festival premiere and sustain their projects’ festival run.
Public Events
Careers in Screen 2023
Wednesday, 1st March / Irish Film Institute
This event aims to inspire young people aged 15-18 who are interested in pursuing a career in the screen industry. Careers in Screen will invite guest speakers from a diverse range of disciplines across the screen sector.
Careers in Screen is presented by the Irish Film Institute and DIFF, with support from Screen Ireland’s Screen Stakeholders Scheme.
Find out more at: https://ifi.ie/film/careers-in-screen-2023/
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Panel
Tuesday, 28th February / Instituto Cervantes / 13:00
As part of the ongoing discussion on diversity and inclusion in the screen sector, DIFF has partnered with British Council, Ireland to present a panel that will shed light on making inclusive programming choices, improving practices around EDI in the creative arts industry, as well as reducing barriers to access cinema.
Panellists: Rico Johnson-Sinclair, Ruth McCarthy, Amanda Coogan, Nic Pillai, Dr. Bashir Otikoya, Zbyszek Zalinski
Mincéir: The Conversation Continues
Friday, 3rd March / The Generator, Smithfield / 17:00
Following the screening of Mincéir, this panel will discuss the struggles that members of the Travelling community often face in the wider Irish society. Speakers featured will draw from their own experiences and the themes within the film to bring attention to the challenges and discrimination faced by the Travelling community and how we can foster greater understanding and inclusion.
Guests: Oein DeBhairdúin, Eileen Flynn, Martin Mahon, Catherine Joyce
Older People on Screen Panel
Monday, 27th February / The Generator, Smithfield / 17:15
This panel will encourage filmmakers and audiences to discuss the portrayal of age on screen and the importance of representation. Participants from DIFF’s Screen 8 and Older Critics programmes will discuss the benefits of inclusive programmes that engage and involve more mature people in film.
Film Culture and Film Criticism: Do Film Critics have the Best Job in the World?
Tuesday, 28th February / The Generator, Smithfield / 17:00
What impact do film critics have on the commercial success of films and are their opinions still relevant in the age of social media? Fionnuala Halligan, Chief Film Critic at Screen International will join a panel of special guests as they debate the future of film criticism.
Film Criticism
DIFF will invite two groups – Young Critics and Older Critics to discuss the DIFF 2023 festival programme. Up-and-coming film writers and podcasters aged 15-18 will have the opportunity to view and produce content around this year’s films screening at the festival.
DIFF on Tour
DIFF in association with access>CINEMA have organised screenings of Sophie Linnenbaum’s The Ordinaries across 7 cinemas nationwide during the festival.
- Pavillion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire
- Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford
- Sligo Film Society @ The Model, Sligo
- Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge
- Solstice Arts Centre, Navan
- Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda
- Club Scannán Sailearna, Inverin, Co. Galway
Special Event
Jane Seymour in Conversation with Rick O’Shea
Saturday, 4th March / Dublin Castle / 14:00
Critically acclaimed actor and producer Jane Seymour will join RTÉ broadcaster Rick O’Shea for this special public interview to discuss her career to date, aspirations and future projects.
Online Events
All available to stream online from Thursday, 23rd February, 10:00 to Saturday, 4th March, 23:59
Screenwriters Panel
Learn more about contemporary Irish screenwriting – where the inspiration springs from, how the ideas develop and the process through drafts and redrafts to the final version. Whether you are an aspiring screenwriter, a film lover or passionate about storytelling, this is an opportunity to learn about the behind-the-scenes process of writing a great script.
Panellists: Tiernan Williams, John Connors, Andrew Legge, Ailbhe Keogan, Fiona Bergin, Fintan Connolly
Documentary Panel
This panel will provide an opportunity for the general public and filmmakers of all levels to learn more about contemporary Irish documentary – where the stories come from and the background to bringing them to the screen.
Panellists: Morgo Harkin, Cara Holmes, Sinead O’Shea
LGBTQ+ Panel
This discussion will focus on how “the queer” has influenced filmmaking and representation in cinema. In recognition that queerness influenced not only what these filmmakers do but also how they approach making it. Queer representation in cinema, and the limits of the private sphere of actors and filmmakers.
Panellists: Daniel Ballejo (Cracks Will Come), Nathan Fagan (Mud Queen), Tania Notaro (Glitterbug)
DIFF Circle: How to Sell your Film with Michelle Ryan
Michelle Ryan from EPIK Media will discuss the importance of a creating a good Electronic Press Kit (EPK) to help filmmakers to elevate their projects’ brand identity, translate it into effective content on digital platforms and market it to the right audiences.
In Conversation with Nancy Buirski
Award-winning filmmaker Nancy Buirski (Desperate Souls, Dark City & The Legend of Midnight Cowboy) catches up with Conor Ryan from the DIFF programming team ahead of the film's Irish premiere.
In Conversation with Neil Gaiman
Bestselling author and prolific creator of works of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comics, song lyrics, and drama Neil Gaiman discusses key films which have influenced his work.
To book your tickets and to learn more about the full DIFF 2023 festival programme, including Screen Ireland-supported shorts, features, animation and documentary films screening at the festival, visit diff.ie