The Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF;
Irish: Féile Scannán Idirnáisiúnta Bhaile Átha Cliath) is an annual
film festival held in
Dublin, Ireland, since 2003.[1]
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 Mc Loughlin joined when 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."[2]
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.
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.[3]
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) .[4] Since 2022 the festival has had no name sponsor.[5]
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.[6] 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.