Dublin International Film Festival unveils 2026 programme

Dublin will once again become a city energised by cinema as the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) returns from February 19 to March 1 with an ambitious programme celebrating the very best of Irish and international filmmaking.

Across eleven exhilarating days, the festival will present 83 films, including 17 world premieres and 53 short films, welcoming filmmakers, screen legends and new voices to the capital.

This year’s festival will see an exceptional line-up of screen talent travel to Dublin, with Paul Rudd, Bill Nighy, Colin Farrell, Chris Colfer, Nick Jonas, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Bolger, Katie McGrath, Clare Dunne, Calam Lynch, Alice Krige, Aidan Gillen and Éanna Hardwicke, among those expected to walk the red carpet.

Many filmmakers and creatives will attend screenings and engage with audiences throughout the festival, including John Carney, Jan Komasa, Ellen Mirojnick, Alice Winocour, Piotr Soboci?ski, Enda Walsh, Lionel Baier and Nanouk Leopold.

This is a rare opportunity to see internationally acclaimed actors and directors up close, ask questions about their creative process, and witness the passion that drives these stories to the screen. The mix of veterans and rising stars ensures a festival that bridges generations and inspires future filmmakers.

By boldly immersing audiences in cinema culture, DIFF 2026 will bring Dublin city to life with vibrant screenings, pop-up events, and a sense of anticipation that spreads across the city’s theatres, cafes and cultural spaces.

Festival Director Gráinne Humphreys said: “Ireland is often referred to as a nation of cinema-goers, but we do not always see as much world cinema as we could or should. DIFF exists to support cultural cinema and to create opportunities to experience international art and artists. We are proud of the range and diversity of this year’s programme and look forward to welcoming new audiences while reconnecting with our loyal attendees. There are lots of firsts this year, with new venues, new partnerships, and a new way of presenting world-class cinema – with our friends in Bord Gais Energy Theatre.

DIFF 2026 opens with the world premiere of David Gleeson’s Once Upon A Time In A Cinema, a joyous and heartfelt celebration of the enduring magic of cinema. The film, described by Humphreys “as an Irish counterpart to Cinema Paradiso”, is infused with personal memories of Gleeson’s late father’s cinema and captures the nostalgia and communal joy of movie-going.

Opening night will see Colin Morgan (Merlin), Calam Lynch (Bridgerton) and director David Gleeson in attendance.

DIFF’s opening signals both the beginning of screenings and the start of an immersive celebration of cinema, where every element is designed to inspire audiences.

The festival’s international programme is led by the Avolon World Cinema Competition, which presents cutting-edge films from across the globe, accompanied by their creators.

These screenings provide audiences with the opportunity to explore internationally resonant storytelling while engaging directly with the artists shaping contemporary cinema.

This is the second year that DIFF’s Global Partner, Avolon, has supported the World Cinema programme and award, with the 2026 judging panel including actor Aidan Gillen and actor and director Rebecca Miller.

This year’s Country in Focus is Switzerland, featuring a special retrospective of acclaimed filmmaker Lionel Baier, which offers an in-depth exploration of his work and cinematic approach.

Baier’s films, often exploring themes of identity, society, and personal struggle with wit and insight, provide a rich cultural lens for Irish audiences and exemplify the diversity of modern European cinema.

The Silent Cinema and Be Kind Rewind strands have been expanded, highlighting classic titles and film history, including Lewis Milestones’ (1928) The Garden of Eden, one of the earliest arthouse films from Hong Kong, The Arch (1968) from female director T’ang Shushuen and the 40th anniversary screening of the powerful When the Wind Blows from Jimmy T Murakami.

These strands include live accompaniment and curated introductions, giving new generations of viewers the chance to experience early cinema as it was originally intended: a living, breathing art form.

DIFF 2026 is also proud to present a record number of 26 Irish features and documentaries, 17 of which make their world premiere.

These films reflect the breadth, ambition and creativity of Irish filmmaking today, spanning comedy, drama, coming-of-age storiesand socially relevant documentaries.

A few of the Irish world premieres include:

• 500 Miles starring Bill Nighy, Clare Dunne and Maisie Williams
• The Three Urns (Stephen Warbeck, John-Paul Davidson) starring Ciarán Hinds
• One Last Deal (Brendan Muldowney) starring Danny Dyer
• Samanta Nobody (Ciaran Creagh) a compelling contemporary drama

Many of these films were shot across Ireland, showcasing the country’s diverse landscapes and reflecting the rich tapestry of Irish life.

The stories explore themes of friendship, love, identity, and resilience, offering audiences the chance to experience a broad range of emotions while viewing.

Meanwhile, Irish documentaries premiering with subjects like Guggi (Guggi), Jonah Lomu (Lomu), Eamon Ryan (Forever Is Now), Niall McDevitt (Every Moon is Atrocious), Colin Farrell (The Slightest Touch), and Charlie O’Leary (The Charlie O’Leary Story).Displace: The Battle for Dublin examines the current housing crisis in the capital while in An Irish Atlantic Rainforest they reverse ecological damage on the Beara Peninsula.

These pieces will highlight Ireland’s cultural and social landscapes, telling stories that resonate on both a local and global scale. Just like in life, audiences will encounter real-life heroes, challenges and triumphs that spark conversation and inspire change.

Special screenings at DIFF 2026 highlight the best of international acting talent including: Midwinter Break and The Three Urns (Ciarán Hinds), Everybody Digs Bill Evans (Bill Pullman), The Lightkeeper (Dominic Cooper), Crazy Love (John Connors), Gorky Resort (Aidan Gillen), Whitetail (Nanouk Leopold), The Restoration at Grayson Manor (Chris Colfer), and No Ordinary Heist (Colin McIvor) starring Eddie Marsan, Éanna Hardwicke and Eva Birthistle.

Emerging talent is celebrated again this year: 2026 Discovery Award nominees include Niamh Bryson (Newtown Boys), Anna Carney (Power Ballad), Ellius Grace (A Song), Joseph Ingersol (Punt), Táine King (Molly and the Robot), Peter Lavery (All That Glitters), Ruby Jean Lennon (Samanta Nobody), Olivia McLaughlin (Parting), Grace Odumosu (Minding), and Shannon Welby (Minding). Winners will be announced at the Festival Awards Ceremony on Saturday, 28 February. The Discovery Awards aim to identify, champion, support and encourage new and emerging talent from both in front of, and behind, the camera in association with Screen Ireland.

The programme also includes the triptych Father Mother Sister Brother, the latest film from Jim Jarmusch. The “Mother” chapter was shot in Stoneybatter. The film stars Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps and Charlotte Rampling. The film premiered in a competition at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Golden Lion.

Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) and DIFF established the Human Rights Film Award in 2008 to recognise the role of film in raising awareness of human rights issues around the world. The nominated films this year are: Landmarks, Everybody to Kenmure Street, Displace: The Battle for Dublin, Gays Against Guns, Maspalomas and Samanta Nobody. Judged by an inspiring panel that includes Farah Abushwesha, producer of Testimony, winner of the 2025 ICCL Human Rights in Film Award at DIFF.

DIFF’s short film programme also continues to expand with nine curated strands, showcasing the next generation of Irish and international filmmakers. With shorts from the Office of Public Works, National Talent Academy (NTA), Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann’s Focus and Framework, Ballymun Filmmakers, and Virgin Media Discovers Short Film winners. With the support of Screen Ireland, the DIFF Discovery Awards highlight emerging talent across directing, writing, performance, cinematography, production design and producing.

The year’s shorts programme offers a platform for bold and personal storytelling, allowing emerging artists to showcase their craft and engage audiences with innovative cinematic language. From animation to live-action, comedy to social realism, the shorts reflect the exciting future of Irish filmmaking.

DIFF’s Public Events and Industry Programme offers panels, masterclasses, and public interviews with industry leaders. Highlights include:

• Masterclasses with Polish acclaimed cinematographer Piotr Soboci?ski Jr. and visionary director Lionel Baier.
• First Frame programmes in Galway (17 February) and Dublin (18 February), providing workshops and mentorship for young filmmakers
• DIFF Media Hub an initiative dedicated to developing new voices in Irish film criticism through access, mentorship, and hands-on festival experience.

Launched in 2024, the DIFF Film Club has quickly built acclaim for its intimate, high-calibre conversations, bringing together Academy Award-winning directors, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, and BAFTA-winning filmmakers to reflect on craft, collaboration, and outstanding careers in cinema and storytelling. Our new Film Club Partner, The Irish Times, continues this tradition by bringing audiences closer to some of the most talked-about guests of the festival. This year we are thrilled to welcome Oscar-nominated costume designer Ellen Mirojnick (Behind the Candelabra, Basic Instinct, Oppenheimer, Bridgerton and more…)

Industry-focused sessions will cover sustainability, marketing, international festival collaboration, sales strategies, and documentary development, all designed to connect Irish and international filmmakers while promoting best practice and innovation.

The festival also encourages community participation through the extensive programme of interactive panels, masterclasses, and opportunities for audiences to meet filmmakers, actors, and creative teams, making cinema accessible and engaging for everyone.

The festival closes with a gala world premiere of John Carney’s Power Ballad starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, marking a high point in DIFF 2026 with director and cast attending. A rousing, feel-good celebration of music, friendship, self-respect and the price of ambition, Power Ballad promises a memorable finale to this year’s Dublin International Film Festival.

Other music-focused films include the premiere of Have You Never Heard of Bill Fuller?, the Marianne Faithfull documentary Broken English, the heavy metal feature Wolves, and The Last Viking, led by Mads Mikkelsen playing guitar.

Then, as always, the Surprise Film remains a tightly guarded secret, ensuring one of DIFF’s most popular events retains its mystery and excitement.

Rooted in French culture, DIFF’s new Official Car Partner – Renault – champions contemporary aesthetics and the power of visual storytelling. This is celebrated through a dedicated Gala spotlight Couture from Alice Winocour who will be in attendance. The brand is also supporting DIFF’s sustainability agenda by providing an all-electric fleet of vehicles to support its guest logistics.

“The festival continues to grow thanks to the filmmakers, guests, juries, audiences, patrons, partners, and our outstanding DIFF team,” Humphrey concludes.

“We look forward to welcoming audiences to celebrate, discover, and be inspired by the magic of cinema.”

The Dublin International Film Festival runs 19 February – 1 March 2026.

Tickets and full programme details are available at www.diff.ie