Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival highlights

We know, it’s awards season in Tinseltown, and over the next couple of weeks we will be analysing the Oscar winners, losers and bemusers – but more pressingly, and more locally, another film industry extravaganza is about to unfold right here on our very shores. Yes, the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival is upon us, running from February 20 to March 3 and ready to spoil film fans with gala screenings, premieres and panels.

The festival opens on Wednesday, February 20 with Irish director John Butler’s acclaimed new comedy-drama Papi Chulo. The director, known for Handsome Devil and The Stag, will be in attendance at the screening. Starring Matt Bomer, the film follows the unlikely friendship between a down-on-his-luck weather presenter and the migrant worker he hires to decorate his home. Another Irish gala screening at the festival is Ian Fitzgibbon’s Dark Lies The Island, which stars Charlie Murphy, Moe Dunford, Tommy Tiernan and Charlie Kelly, and sees short story characters created by author Kevin Barry coming to the big screen. Neil Jordan’s psychological thriller Greta is also set to attract big audiences, as the tense and unsettling story finds Chloe Grace Moretz realising that the older woman (Isabelle Huppert) she strikes up a friendship with may not be as innocent and well-intentioned as she seems.

Other Irish highlights include the documentary When Hitchcock Met O’Casey; the Dublin coming-of-age drama Dub Daze; writer and politician Mannix Flynn’s personal story Land Without God; Paul Duane’s documentary What Time Is Death? about pop group-turned controversial performance artists The KLF; and Psychic, a short film directed by Brendan Gleeson that stars the actor as well as sons Brian and Domhnall.

On the international side, VDIFF will show actor Stephen Merchant’s feature directorial debut Fighting With My Family, a biographical sports dramedy based on the life and career of WWE wrestler Paige (played by Florence Pugh), who grew up in a family of professional wrestlers. Actor Jonah Hill’s directorial debut and coming-of-age story Mid ’90s will also be shown.

For those looking for a more hands-on experience, there are workshops and masterclasses aplenty. One highlight will be a composing workshop with David Shire, the prolific composer of scores for films such as The Taking Of Pelham 123 and The Conversation. There will be a Writers Masterclass with Laurence Coriat, a screenwriter on Wonderland, Me Without You, Genova and McMafia; and two panels where screenwriters discuss the craft and graft of screenwriting - where the inspiration springs from, how the ideas develop, and the process through drafts and redrafts to the final version.

For little cinephiles, there are several Fantastic Flix events, aimed at children, teenagers and young aspiring filmmakers. Tweens can partake in Lego Animation Workshops, making their own Lego movies. Under 12s can attend a directing workshop with Dearbhla Walsh, known for her adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot, as well as her more grown-up work on shows like Fargo, Penny Dreadful and Eastenders. And if you’re 16-25, attend a workshop with director Bo Burnham, whose critically acclaimed film Eighth Grade will be screening at VDIFF. Aimed specifically at those with an interest in a career in film, Burnham will discuss his amazing work as comedian, actor, musician and director. The workshop will include clips from Burnham’s career and an opportunity for young participants to engage in the discussion.

There are far more events and screenings happening during the festival, including the ever-popular Surprise Film on February 24, and the VDIFF Short Film programmes, so check out DIFF.ie and get booking.