Each year the Virgin Media Dublin International Festival relishes the opportunity to excite and engage young cinema enthusiasts and filmmakers, and this year is no exception. 

 

Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival Director Gráinne Humphreys today announced a selection of 2020 titles  including a series of events  for younger audiences where the idea is to screen films by young people, for young people, and also for our canine friends!!

 

Looking towards the next generation of Irish film talent, the Festival’s inaugural  First Frame event creates a new and expanded initiative for film students.  The Festival has invited the 17 third level institutions across Ireland to submit their students’ short films for a public screening, networking opportunity and competition to be adjudicated by an industry panel chaired by Trish Long, Vice President of Disney in Ireland. The day is sponsored by Disney Pixar’s Onward.

 

Encouraging engagement with young people and cinema, the Festival’s Fantastic Flix strand for families and young people will include a mix of short films, workshops and discussions, and screenings of some of the most eagerly anticipated contemporary cinema. 

 

With big name cast including Chris Pratt, Tom Holland and Octavia Spencer, Disney’s Pixar’s newest fantasy/drama Onward is a funny and engaging tale of two siblings who set out to discover if there is still a little magic left in the world, while in the latest thrilling musical adventure from Disney DreamWorks sees Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake leading the cast  in Trolls World Tour.

 

In a first for the festival this year, families can bring their pet as ‘pawtner’ in crime to a Dog Friendly Screening at Odeon, Point Village of Marona’s Fantastic Tale from Romanian animator Anca Damien who will be in attendance. Told through exquisite animation and the eyes of a lost puppy, the film tells the story of a dog who, following an accident, reflects on her owners, adventures and experiences.

 

As one of the most loved and well known comedians of cinema, Charlie Chaplin is a character that needs no introduction. The Festival is excited to present three of his newly restored shorts The Adventurer, The Immigrant and The Floorwalker to delight Fantastic Flix young audiences.

 

“We consider our festival as a perfect opportunity to give young people a compelling context to connect with films, providing access to a greater range of cultural cinema and filmmaking talent through a unique festival experience.  The expectation for young audiences now is that viewing will be on demand, viewable anywhere and available for free.  Our programming offers an opportunity and environment to experience film and cinema that is different to the majority of current young people’s viewing habits.” Gráinne Humphreys, Festival Director

 

“Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival is a perfect test ground for what it’s like to be a filmmaker in today’s world.  The Festival supports high-quality cinema and diversity, celebrating the art of film and opening a window to new ideas from multiple film producers in Ireland and across the world.   We’re proud to promote young filmmakers as Ireland’s leading connected entertainment provider and commercial broadcasting company.  The festival is an important platform for everyone in Ireland’s vibrant film industry to network and make connections that really matter.” Paul Farrell, Vice President of Commercial at Virgin Media. 

 

Taking place from 26th February to 8th March, the 2020 Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival will bring the best in world cinema to Dublin connecting audiences to global perspectives alongside an exhilarating robust slate of new Irish films, testament to the dynamic vigorous film industry here. 

 

The Festival will screen over 110 feature films, documentaries, short films and archive programmes along with special artist tributes, conversations, panels, workshops and music events.  Early Bird Season Tickets and highlight events are now available from the website www.diff.ie.  Full programme details will be released in the coming weeks.

 

Join the conversation online

Visit www.diff.ie

Twitter: @DublinFilmFest / Instagram: @dublinfilmfestival

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dublinfilmfestival

 

#VMDIFF20

 

For more information visit www.diff.ie

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

 

Images available here: 

 

Press contacts:

Anna Maria Barry, Virgin Media – 086 227 2072 

Kate Bowe, Bowe Communications – 086 267 5018 

 

 

About Dublin International Film Festival

The Dublin International Film Festival is sponsored by Virgin Media, with principal funding from The Arts Council. 

 

Key partners and funders include Screen Ireland, hotel partner The Merrion Hotel, airline partner Aer Lingus, hospitality partner The Mercantile Group, print transport partner Wells Cargo, post-production partner Outer Limits Production and media partners Wide Eye Media and 98fm, Sunday Times Ireland and The Journal.ie

 

About Virgin Media

Virgin Media is the leading connected entertainment cable and broadcast business in Ireland. Every day we deliver connections that really matter for thousands of consumers, with multi award-winning services including broadband, TV, mobile and home phone. Our Virgin Media Business division provides the fastest broadband speeds and connectivity solutions for entrepreneurs, businesses and the public sector.

 

Virgin Media Television, our broadcast division, is Ireland’s number one commercial broadcaster offering three free-to-air channels: Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Two, Virgin Media Three, as well as the Virgin Media Player. We are a significant investor in home produced content, including news, current affairs and drama, as well as offering the best in international programming. Virgin Media Sport and our 6 Extra Sport channels offer extensive sports coverage across the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. Our advertising sales agency, Virgin Media Solutions, creates unique, innovative campaigns for our business and for third party clients across the UK and Ireland. 

 

Virgin Media is part of Liberty Global, one of the world’s leading converged video, broadband and communications companies, with operations in six European countries. 

 

For further information please visit: www.virginmedia.ie