Dublin International Film Festival 2026 (February 19-March 1) has unveiled its full line-up, including world premieres of John Carney’s Power Ballad starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas and Morgan Matthews’ 500 Miles starring Bill Nighy and Maisie Williams.
Dublin-shot Power Ballad will close the festival. For the first time, the closing night gala will be held at Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Rudd and Jonas are understood to be attending. The film tells the story of a talented wedding singer past his prime and a young rock star who team up. Lionsgate releases in UK-Ireland and the US, with a SXSW North American premiere planned for March.
There are 83 features in the line-up, with 17 world premieres.
Morgan Matthews’ 500 Miles will also make its world premiere at the festival. Bill Nighy plays a grandfather estranged from his grandchildren, living on the west coast of Ireland. Clare Dunne and Maisie Williams also star. True Brit has UK-Ireland rights.
Irish filmmaker David Gleeson directs the opening night world premiere of Once Upon A Time In A Cinema about a beleaguered small-town cinema owner as he faces several disasters. It draws on Gleeson’s experiences of growing up in a family of cinema owners. Colin Morgan and Calam Lynch star.
Further world premieres include Brendan Muldowney’s Irish drama One Last Deal, in which Danny Dyer plays a football agent, and Paul Davidson and Stephen Warbeck’s comedy The Three Urns, starring Ciarán Hinds and Stephen Fry.
Irish documentary The Slightest Touch follows Colin Farrell’s campaign to raise money and awareness about a rare skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa, which causes very fragile skin, alongside his friend Emma Fogarty, who lives with the condition.
This year’s country in focus is Switzerland and features a retrospective of filmmaker Lionel Baier, who will also participate in an industry masterclass.
“Ireland is often referred to as a nation of cinemagoers, but we do not always see as much world cinema as we could or should,” said festival director Gráinne Humphreys. “DIFF exists to support cultural cinema and to create opportunities to experience international art and artists. We are proud of the range and diversity of this year’s programme and look forward to welcoming new audiences while reconnecting with our loyal attendees. There are lots of firsts this year, with new venues, new partnerships, and a new way of presenting world-class cinema - with our friends in Bord Gais Energy Theatre.”
No comments yet