The Dublin International Film Festival is always a highlight on the Irish film calendar, and this year's DIFF, which kicks off this Thursday, February with hot ticket Paul Mescal in the house for the Irish premiere of his latest movie, God's Creatures, is shaping up to be a vintage year.
Listen above, as RTÉ lyric fm's Aédín Gormley catches up with Gráinne Humphreys, director of The Dublin International Film Festival.
Below, you'll find 5 films we're excited to see at this year's bash - view the full programme here.
LOLA
Irish filmmaker Andrew Legge's eagerly anticipated feature debut blends sci-fi and drama and is set as WW2 escalates. Sisters Thom and Mars have built a machine - the eponymous LOLA - that can intercept radio and TV broadcasts from the future. Giving them a tantalising glimpse into a future world, it allows them to hear music not yet made and witness events yet to unfold. LOLA could even transform the course of the war - but the machine’s powers bring huge potential consequences...
Where and when? Light House, Friday, February 24th
SUNLIGHT
In a very strong year for homegrown entries, filmmaker Claire Dix (Broken Song) makes her narrative debut with a compassionate drama about a very special connection. When Leon, a recovering addict, discovers the terminally-ill sponsor he adores is planning to self-euthanise, he feels a sense of betrayal. He begs Iver - the man he sees as a hero - to watch the tribute show he's been preparing in his honour...
Where and when? Light House, Saturday, February 25th
THE BEASTS
We're hearing great things about a film described by Screen International as "a terrific psychological thriller and a brooding, muscular piece of filmmaking". A French couple seek a simpler way of life in this thriller from filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen: Olga and Antoine have long settled in a picturesque village in Galicia - but their relationship with some locals is not as peaceful as they'd hoped for. When a dispute with neighbouring brothers escalates, there are terrible consequences...
Where and when? Light House, Tuesday, February 28
BLACKBERRY
The new Social Network? Fresh from an acclaimed premiere at this year's Berlin Film Festival, an unrecognisable It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Glenn Howerton stars in a drama that follows the rise and fall of the BlackBerry, the once-ubiquitous device, exploring how its Canadian parent company lost its market advantage to competitors, and the strained business relationship between its co-founders.
Where and when? Light House, Wednesday, March 1
PRAY FOR OUR SINNERS
Through the stories of everyday citizens resisting the status quo, the timely new documentary from filmmaker Sinéad O'Shea confronts Ireland's recent history of brutality against children and women ranging from corporal punishment to state-sanctioned mother and baby homes. O'Shea's earlier film A Mother Brings Her Son To Be Shot was one of the finest Irish documentaries of the past decade, making this an absolute must-see.
Where and when? Light House, Friday, March 3
The Dublin International Film Festival runs from 23 February - 4 March 2023 - find out more here.
