“It’s been an incredible year for DIFF – we presented a world-class programme that has reached more people, spotlighted more Irish films, and celebrated more international guests than ever before.”
— Gráinne Humphreys, Festival Director of the Dublin International Film Festival
Audience and box office growth signalled strong momentum for Ireland’s premier film festival ahead of its 25th anniversary next year, as the 24th edition of the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) wrapped after 11 days celebrating Irish and international cinema.
The festival concluded with the world premiere of Power Ballad, directed by John Carney and starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas.
@dublinfilmfestival Day 11 of #DIFF2026 🎬✨ Red carpet at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre for the Power Ballad World Premiere, packed screenings for Dublin on Screen shorts, and a special Jimmy Murakami retrospective. And just like that… it’s a wrap. ❤️ See you next year for our 25th anniversary 👀✨ #FilmTok #IrishFilm #FilmFestival ♬ original sound - DublinInternationalFilmFest
With an expanded programme featuring world premieres, Irish features, international discoveries and a wide range of industry events, the festival welcomed more than 25,000 attendees across its 11-day run in Dublin. Final figures confirmed that the box office surpassed last year’s totals by 11%, reflecting continued growth for the festival and strong demand for screenings and events.
Irish filmmaking was firmly at the heart of the programme, with a record 23 Irish features, including 17 world premieres, highlighting the strength and diversity of contemporary Irish cinema. Among the notable premieres showcased during the festival were The Slightest Touch, 500 Miles, Guggi, and The Charlie O’Leary Story, all of which drew packed audiences and strong reactions from festivalgoers.
One of DIFF’s most popular traditions also returned this year with the annual surprise film screening. Audiences packed into the cinema hoping to guess the mystery title in advance and win a season pass, but no one correctly predicted the film, which was ultimately revealed to be Dead Man’s Wire, a tense 1970s-style thriller directed by Gus Van Sant.
The festival’s awards programme once again highlighted outstanding storytelling, craft and performance across the international and Irish film landscape.
A defining moment of the closing weekend saw the festival present its highest honour, the Career Achievement Volta Award, to BAFTA winner and Academy Award nominee Ellen Mirojnick and SAG Award nominee Paul Rudd. The awards coincided with the world premiere of Power Ballad.
“It is a profound honour to receive the Volta Award,” Mirojnick said. “It is an accolade rooted in a cinema founded by James Joyce, a storyteller who understood the power of detail and interior life. Costume design has always been my way into character, a means of exploring psychology, history, identity and transformation through fabric and silhouette. To be recognised for this work, and to share in a festival that so deeply values craft and screen culture, is incredibly meaningful.”
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) Human Rights Film Award was presented to Everybody to Kenmure Street, with director Felipe Bustos Sierra attending from Scotland. The documentary captures the moment when residents of Glasgow united to prevent the deportation of their neighbours, sparking a grassroots movement that resonated across the community.
“I lived in Dublin for a couple of months in 2001 before moving down to Cork. I was hoping to get enough money to live but also to buy a wee camcorder to make films with. This was my first trip back to Dublin and it was wild to premiere the film and receive this award. On behalf of the whole team, thank you so much!” Bustos Sierra said while accepting the honour.
The Best Documentary Award went to The Slightest Touch, directed by Rachel Fleit and produced by Fine Point Films and Chapel Place Productions. The film follows Emma Fogarty, who lives with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare and extremely painful genetic condition that leaves skin so fragile it can blister or tear at the slightest contact.
As Fogarty approaches her 40th birthday — an age doctors once predicted she would never reach — she takes on the challenge of completing the Dublin Marathon with the help of longtime friend Colin Farrell, who pushes her wheelchair for the final miles.
@dublinfilmfestival Day 10 of #DIFF2026 ♬ original sound - DublinInternationalFilmFest
The Audience Award was presented to Gays Against Guns, which also received a Special Mention in the documentary category. The film follows queer Irish immigrant Paul Rowley as he confronts America’s gun violence crisis, blending personal storytelling with activism and featuring contributions from filmmaker John Waters.
“Gays Against Guns is a film about empathy and caring for other people, so to know that the film has connected so deeply with audiences means the world to us,” Rowley said.
In the shorts category, the Audience Award went to Molly and the Robot from Monaghan director Táine King.
The Avolon World Cinema Award, recognising excellence in international storytelling, was awarded to Water Can Go Anywhere, directed by Fang Liang. The film offers a portrait of life inside a Shenzhen factory, exploring the human stories behind modern industrial life.
The jury included Aidan Gillen, Rebecca Miller, Michael Doherty (Movie Editor of the RTÉ Guide), Wendy Mitchell of Screen International, and Ciara Ruane, Chief People Officer at Avolon.
In the Shorts Awards, Wonderwall won Best International Short, with Happy Birthday receiving a Special Mention. The Gnawer of Rocks took Best Animated Short, while Praying Mantis received the Animated Short Special Mention.
The Sue Bruce-Smith Award for Best Irish Short was presented to Sub5, directed by Laura Kavanagh, with Emergency Accommodation and His House, Home receiving special mentions.
“I am beyond thrilled to have received the award for Best Irish Short Film for SUB 5,” Kavanagh said. “DIFF premiered my first ever ‘no-budget short’ back in 2018 and bolstered my confidence to pursue my writing and directing ambitions. I will be forever grateful for that, and to Screen Ireland and Virgin Media for providing me with this opportunity.”
The festival also continued its commitment to nurturing emerging filmmakers through First Frame, now in its eighth year, which brings together students from more than 50 film courses, universities and further education institutions across Ireland.
In 2026, the programme received more than 120 submissions, with 35 student films selected for screening by the festival’s programming team. Dedicated student screenings took place in Galway, in collaboration with ATU, and in Dublin.
@dublinfilmfestival The Light House Cinema's very own @Projectionist Rob ♬ original sound - DublinInternationalFilmFest
Meanwhile, the Discovery Awards — which celebrate emerging talent both in front of and behind the camera — were presented to Ellius Grace, Joseph Ingersoll, and Olivia McLaughlin.
Malcolm Campbell praised the nominees, saying: “The ten Discovery nominees this year were extraordinary, each bringing remarkable talent and vision. Watching their work was inspiring and left us incredibly optimistic about the future of Irish filmmaking.”
Reflecting on the festival’s success, Gráinne Humphreys said organisers are already looking ahead to the milestone 25th anniversary edition next year.
“It’s been an incredible year for DIFF – we presented a world-class programme that has reached more people, spotlighted more Irish films, and celebrated more international guests than ever before. Believe it or not, we are already receiving emails of interest for next year, which marks our 25th anniversary year.”
“The Festival might only be 11 days, and over for now, but we have programmes, events and workshops across the year; keeping cinema culture alive and thriving in the Irish capital.”
The Dublin International Film Festival continues to position Ireland at the centre of international screen culture, championing homegrown voices while welcoming filmmakers and audiences from around the world to Dublin.
