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Panels & Workshops at the Dublin International Film Festival 2023

February 22, 2023
Panels & Workshops at the Dublin International Film Festival 2023 logo

The Dublin International Film Festival kicks off tomorrow running from February 23rd to March 4th. Alongside the films screening there are a number of panels & workshops that may be of interest to members.

DIFF Circle

HOW TO SELL YOUR FILM WITH MICHELLE RYAN

Based on years of explaining to filmmakers how important it is to create a good Electronic Press Kit (EPK) It’s such a good idea to start planting this seed in filmmakers’ heads before they get started on how important this side of filmmaking is. Very often it can become a box to be ticked with no further thought or planning put into it other than it “having to be done” (EPK material). To elevate storytelling and brand identity and translate that into effective content is essential especially in a cluttered market. Michelle Ryan talks nitty-gritties of working on fast-paced projects to extract daily embedded coverage, on ability to self-produce and how to market films by landing the right press coverage. Info & Booking.

Documentary Panel

The panel will be pre-recorded next month in the second week of February and then released on the festival platform during the 2023 festival. We hope that the panel will provide an opportunity for both the general public and filmmakers of all levels to learn more about contemporary Irish documentary – where the stories come from and the background to bringing them to the screen. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, a film lover or passionate about storytelling, we want to give Irish audiences an opportunity to learn about the behind-the-scenes process of making a great film. Info & Booking.

PANELLISTS INCLUDE: Margo Harkin, Cara Holmes, Sinead O’Shea

In Conversation with Nancy Buirski

Award-winning filmmaker; Nancy Buirski; Desperate Souls, Dark City & The Legend of Midnight Cowboy catches up with our own Conor Ryan ahead of the film’s Irish premiere. Info & Booking.

LGBTQ+ Panel

In response to a request from one of our international filmmakers who could not attend this year’s DIFF in person, and with the support of the Embassy of Colombia, we are delighted to share this online discussion on how “the queer” has influenced filmmaking and representation in cinema. In recognition that queerness influences not only what these filmmakers do, but also how they approach making it. Queer representation in cinema, and the limits of the private sphere of actors and filmmakers. Info & Booking.

PANELLISTS INCLUDE: Daniel Vallejo, Colombian filmmaker; Cracks Will Come, Nathan Fagan; Mud Queen & Tania Notaro (Glitterbug)

In Conversation with Neil Gaiman

Bestselling author and prolific creator of works of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comics, song lyrics, and drama.; Neil Gaiman discusses key films which have influenced his work. Info & Booking.

Screenwriters Panel

Learn more about contemporary Irish screenwriting – where the inspiration springs from, how the ideas develop and the process through drafts and redrafts to the final version. Whether you’re an aspiring screenwriter, a film lover or passionate about storytelling, this is an opportunity to learn about the behind-the-scenes process of writing a great script. Info & Booking.

PANELLISTS INCLUDE: Tiernan Williams & John Connors, Andrew Legge, Ailbhe Keogan, Fiona Bergin & Fintan Connolly

 

This year’s festival will open with the Irish feature God’s Creatures, directed by Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer. The film stars Emily Watson, Paul Mescal, Aisling Franciosi, Declan Conlon, Toni O’Rourke, Marion O’Dwyer, Brendan McCormack, and Lalor Roddy and was written by Shane Crowley, based on a story he wrote with producer Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly.

Other Irish films screening at the festival include the world premieres of Fintan Connelly’s film noir Barber, starring Aidan Gillen and Camille O’Sullivan ; Claire Dix’s Sunlight, starring Barry Ward and Liam Carney; Andrew Legge’s LOLA, and John Connors’ feature debut, The Black Guelph.

Irish documentaries include the Festival Closing Gala screening of Fergus Dowd and Joe Lee’s 406 Days. Sinead O’Shea’s Pray for our Sinners and Margo Harkin’s Stolen, both exploring Ireland’s relationship with the Catholic Church. Dennis Harvey’s personal film I Must Away and Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy’s The Future Tense also screen. Other documentaries to look out for include Teresa Lavina’s Mincéir, Cara Holmes’ Notes From Sheepland and Jim Sheridan’s Peter O’Toole: Along the Sky Road to Aqaba.

Visit www.diff.ie for the full line up.

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