Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas are set to travel to Dublin this spring for the world premiere of their new film Power Ballad, which will close the 2026 Dublin International Film Festival.
The musical comedy will screen on Sunday, 1 March at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, marking a first for the festival, which has traditionally hosted its gala premieres in cinema venues. Both actors are expected to attend alongside Irish writer-director John Carney, whose previous work includes Once, Sing Street and Begin Again.
Filmed in Ireland, Power Ballad centres on Rick, a wedding singer played by Paul Rudd, whose career has stalled, and Danny, a former boyband star portrayed by Nick Jonas, who is struggling to navigate life after fame. The pair meet by chance during a gig and strike up an unlikely friendship over music and a late-night jam session. When they return to their very different worlds, that brief encounter has consequences neither of them anticipates.
The screenplay was co-written by John Carney and Peter McDonald, who also appears in the film. The cast features a strong Irish contingent, including Rory Keenan, Keith McErlean, Marcella Plunkett, Jack Reynor, Sophie Vavasseur and Naoimh Whelton, reinforcing Carney’s long-standing commitment to working with Irish talent both on and off screen.
Dublin-based Treasure Entertainment is among the film’s producers, with backing from Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland, continuing a productive relationship between Carney and the Irish film industry. The project follows Carney’s recent work across film and television, which has consistently blended music-driven storytelling with character-led drama.
Speaking ahead of the premiere, Carney said he was delighted that Power Ballad would close this year’s festival, describing it as a chance to end the programme “with a bang of music and fun”. He also hinted at the film’s more chaotic moments, joking that audiences will see Paul Rudd throw Nick Jonas off a balcony.
DIFF Director Gráinne Humphreys described the screening as a milestone for the festival, thanking the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre for hosting the closing night and highlighting what she said was a record number of Irish feature films in the 2026 programme.
The Dublin International Film Festival runs from 19 February to 1 March, with Power Ballad set to close the event before its wider release on Friday, 29 May. Tickets for the premiere go on general sale Friday, 23 January at 9am, priced from €38, with presales currently under way for members and partners.
