Dublin International Film Festival

The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (Irish: Féile Jameson Idirnáisiúnta Scannán Átha Chliath) is a film festival that is held annually in February over the course of ten days in Dublin, Ireland.

History

The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival was established in 2003. It was revived by Michael Dwyer, renowned international film critic and The Irish Times Chief Film Correspondent, along with David McLoughlin, film producer. 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."

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 continues to be the title sponsor of the festival providing significant support each year and backing the festival with a major marketing campaign. The festival is currently in the third year of a three year sponsorship agreement with Jameson. The festival is 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, Failte Ireland and a number of Cultural Institutions including the Goethe Institut.

In 2007, the festival introduced a career achievement award, the Volta Award, in order to celebrate individuals who have made a significant contribution to the world of film. In the same year the festival also introduced the highly popular Audience Award recipients of which have been the highly acclaimed ''Once'' and the popular surfing documentary Waveriders'.

Festival venues include the Screen Cinema in Dublin's city centre, Cineworld on Parnell Street, the Savoy Cinema and the Irish Film Institute. In 2008 Movies@Dundrum was added to the list of venues and in 2009 the Lighthouse Cinema was added.

2008 saw a significant change to the festival's executive with Grainne 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 McLouglin stepping down.

Over 38,000 admissions were recorded for the 2008 festival for ticketed events. Non ticketed events include a citywide installaton 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 the 12th - 22nd of February 2009.

Awards

The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival introduced the Volta Awards in 2007. The award is named after Dublin's historic Volta Picture Theatre. Awards are given for career achievement and audience favourite. Critics' awards were first presented in 2009.

2007

• Career Achievement Awards:
  • Gabriel Byrne, actor
  • Brendan McCaul, film producer and distributor
  • Jeremy Thomas, producer
  • Consolata Boyle, costume designer
• Audience Award: Once

2008

• Career Achievement Awards:
  • Brendan Gleeson, actor
  • Daniel Day-Lewis, actor
  • Leo Ward, cinema chain owner
• Audience Award: Waveriders

2009

• Career Achievement Awards:
  • Paolo Sorrentino, director
  • George Morrison, documentary maker
  • Thierry Fremaux, artistic director of the Cannes Film Festival
• Audience Award: Anvil! The Story of Anvil
• Critics' Awards:
  • Best Film: Let the Right One In
  • Best Irish Film: The Secret of Kells (a joint Irish-Belgian-French production)
  • Best Documentary: Anvil! The Story of Anvil
  • Best Director: Paolo Sorrentino (Il Divo)
  • Best Actor: Tom Hardy (Bronson)

2010

The 2010 festival was held from 18 to 28 February, 2010.

Career Achievement Awards:

• Ciaran Hinds, actor
• Patricia Clarkson, actress
• Kristin Scott Thomas, actress

Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards:

• Best Film: Samson and Delilah
• Best Irish Film: The Fading Light
• Best Male Performance: Patrick O'Donnell (The Fading Light)
• Best Female Performance: Tilda Swinton (I Am Love)
• Best Director: Yorgos Lanthimos (Dogtooth)
• Best Documentary: His and Hers
• Special Jury Prize: Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
• Michael Dwyer Discovery Award: Kate McCullough, cinematographer (His and Hers)

See also

• Cinema of Ireland
• Screen Cinema
• Savoy Cinema
• Irish Film Institute
• The Secret of Kells

References

1. Fricker, Karen, Dublin gets new film fest, 6 February 2003

External links

• Dublin IFF official site.
• Jameson Dublin International Film Festival at the Internet Movie Database
• Jameson Dublin International Film Festival at Film Festival World