The high profile of talent that the Dublin International Film Festival are able to attract usually means a few eye-catching conversations take place during the biggest festival in the fair city of film. This year is no different, and on top of the events already announced for DIFF 2025, this week ahead of the festival’s opening on Thursday, more events have been announced with big names chatting on stage. Actors Eddie Marsan, Fiona Shaw, and IFTA and BAFTA winning director Rich Peppiatt are among those in conversation during this year’s festival.
DIFF 2025 begins from Thursday 20th February, until Sunday 2nd March, and the additions of these events comes on top of an already packed programme.
DIFF will present an exclusive In Conversation with Eddie Marsan, the British actor known for Happy Go Lucky, Sherlock Holmes and many more wide-ranging roles across film and television. Marsan will be in town to support the Irish premiere of Fran The Man at DIFF 2025. Hosted by the beloved Irish actor and presenter Simon Delaney, this special event offers a rare opportunity to hear from Marsan about his craft, and experiences working across film and television. This afternoon chat with one of Britain’s finest actors, takes place as part of DIFF 2025 Saturday 1st March, 14:30 -15:30.
The festival will also welcome BAFTA Award winner Fiona Shaw for an exclusive In Conversation event as part of the award-winning Tanqueray 0.0% Film Club. Hosted by acclaimed filmmaker Claire Dix, this special evening offers a unique opportunity sit in on a filmmaker-to-filmmaker conversation, in an intimate setting.
Shaw’s career spans film, television, and theatre, earning her a reputation for unforgettable performances. She is known globally for her sharp-witted turn as Carolyn Martens in Killing Eve, her iconic role as Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter series, and more recently, Maarva Andor in the Disney+ Star Wars series Andor. On stage, she has worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, delivering acclaimed performances in Medea, Richard II, Hedda Gabler, and The Waste Land.
Leading the conversation is award-winning Irish filmmaker Claire Dix, whose visually striking and deeply human storytelling has earned widespread recognition. Best known for Sunlight and the award-winning documentary Broken Song, Dix brings a director’s perspective to the discussion, offering fresh insight into Shaw’s approach to acting and storytelling. As part of DIFF 2025 Friday 21st Feb | 16:00 – 17:00.
Shaw is also part of this year’s DIFF lineup with the premiere of her latest film, Park Avenue, directed by Gaby Dellal.
Other conversations at DIFF 2025 include:
Parallel Frames – Connecting the Dots Between Ads and Film
Tuesday 25th Feb | 13:00-16:30
Presented by Antidote, one of Ireland’s leading commercial production companies, this is an eye-opening programme of talks with industry professionals who have successfully worked across both advertising and filmmaking.
In addition to Andrew Freedman (Founding Partner/Producer), Ken Wardrop (Founding Partner/Director) and Paula Stewart (Antidote Producer), confirmed guests now include directors Lorcan Finnegan (The Surfer, premièring at DIFF 2025), Brian Durnin (Spilt Milk premièring at DIFF 2025), and Rich Peppiatt (Kneecap).
Visual Storytelling: A Panel Discussion Between Directors & Cinematographers
Thursday 27th Feb | 12:00-13:00
How do directors and cinematographers collaborate to craft compelling visual narratives? Join Directors Colm Bairéad (The Quiet Girl, The Joy), Colin McIvor (Zoo, No Ordinary Heist) and Hannah Quinn (The Boy That Never Was, Vikings: Valhalla) alongside Cinematographers Kate McCullough ISC (The Quiet Girl, Normal People), Damien Elliott ISC (Zoo, Four Letters of Love) and Stephen Murphy BSC, ISC (Mr and Mrs Smith, Atlanta) as they explore visual storytelling and the collaboration between the Director and the Cinematographer.
International Programmers Panel
Saturday 22nd Feb, 10:30-12:00
This panel, supported by Culture Ireland, offers a comprehensive discussion on festival policies, submission criteria and crucial deadlines, providing essential insights for those preparing international festival strategies and aiming at success.
Confirmed guests now include top-tier festival programmers from around the globe:
· Karel Och – Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Czechia)
· Ania Trzebiatowska – Sundance Film Festival (United States)
· Rachel Rosen – New York Film Festival (United States)
· Madison Egan – Tribeca Film Festival (United States)
· Anastasia Lukovnikova – IndieLisboa (Portugal)
· Marcello Paolillo – Locarno Film Festival (Switzerland)
· Dominique Green – Dinard Festival of British & Irish Film (France)
· Mark Adams (Mediterrane Film Festival)
Tickets to these and more remain available at https://www.diff.ie/.