Dublin International Film Festival

For two weeks in February every year, Dublin turns into one of the hotspots of international cinema. The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF) mixes works by independent film makers from around the globe with releases from the mainstream Hollywood studios for a cross section of the most exciting movies of the past twelve months. From intimate documentaries to big drama, the range of films shown during the JDIFF has something for everybody and Dublin becomes a choice destination for film fans every February.

History Of The Dublin Film Festival
The JDIFF was first held in 2003. Over the years it has grown considerably in terms of the number of films shown, the number of visitors and the calibre of actors, directors and other movie professionals it attracts. The festival grew out of the desire to provide a stage for independent movie productions from Ireland and around the world which rarely, if ever, would have found a commercial release in Ireland. In the past few years, the JDIFF makers have successfully integrated more mainstream movies into the festival's programme and the JDIFF has grown from an event for film buffs to a popular Dublin fixture. Many potential box office hits have their Irish premier at the JDIFF and small films which find favour with the festival audience, such as the 2008 Audience Award winner 'Wave Riders', often go on to become surprise box office successes at Irish cinemas thanks to the publicity attached to the festival.

The 2011 Dublin Film Festival
Two weeks, six cinemas, 135 films and 40,000 visitors make the most recent JDIFF the most successful Dublin film festival ever. The previous festivals attracted visits by film personalities such as screenwriter Frederic Raphael, director Hugh Hudson and actors Colin Firth, Clive Owen and Liam Neeson. Thierry Fremaux, Artistic Director of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in the South of France, attended JDIFF and gave a keynote speech. What started as an intimate underground film festival by Dublin movie enthusiasts has now clearly entered a much larger stage. The Best Film award went to Italian director Paolo Sorrentino for his film 'Il Divo', a portrait of politician Giulio Andreotti who led seven Italian governments in the last 50 years. The winner of the Audience Award was the rock documentary 'The Story Of Anvil' about the heavy metal band of the same name.

Film Festival Ticket Price
A season Pass for the entire JDIFF costs €230.00 and entitles you to attend all screenings and associated events. The Season Pass can be purchased online on the festival's website (see below). Alternatively, you can buy tickets for individual screenings, either directly at the cinema showing the movie or in advance on the festival's web site. Individual film ticket prices range from €9.00 to €15.00 for adults, pending cinema and time of performance. You must be 18 years of age or older to attend screenings and events at the festival.

How To Get To The Festival
Screenings during the JDIFF take place in six cinemas across Dublin. Five of the festival cinemas are located within walking distance of each other in the city centre: The Savoy, CineWorld, The Screen, Lighthouse Cinema and the Irish Film Institute. The sixth cinema, Movies@Dundrum is located at the Dundrum Village Centre and can be reached from the city centre with the Green Luas tram line which departs from St. Stephen's Green.