The DIFF 2025 programme is finally live and The Complex is a proud official partner, hosting a range of exceptional events and screenings. In the previous blog post we looked at the schedule for Week 1. Check out what's on for Week 2:
Meet The Cast: Spilt Milk
Take a sneak peek behind the scenes of the casting process with this panel! Joined by several cast members including Cillian O’Sullivan, Naoise Kelly, Danielle Galligan, Laurence O’Fuarain, Lewis Brophy, Justin Daniels Anene, as well as their casting director Áine O’Sullivan from Spilt Milk which has its World Premiere in the programme this year.
The cast will talk about their experiences of breaking on to the big screen for the first time and shine some light on the realities of being an actor on set.
Be sure to catch this film in the Light House before you come and meet the stars: Spilt Milk – Sun 23 Feb, 20:45
Time: 14:00 - 15:00 Date: 24-Feb Price: €15
IFCO Lecture Series
Following the success of the 2024 IFCO Centenary lecture series, DIFF is once again partnering with the Irish Film Classification Office to give a public platform to three emerging film and media students and early career researchers.
For 2025, the participants will give vibrant and exciting presentations on the extent to which the audience ratings awarded to theatrical content has reflected Irish society and evolving community values. The IFCO Collection in the National Archives is a rich information source in this regard. Contributors will present their findings on the research of their choice.
Time: 16:00 - 17:00 Date: 24-Feb Price: €5
Focus On the Composer: Screen Composers Panel & Networking
Presented by the Screen Composers Guild of Ireland, join for an exclusive chat with a selection of composers whose work is being shown at DIFF 2025. This panel will discuss every aspect of what it takes to write music for the big screen and the important role music plays in filmmaking. Make sure to keep an ear out for the new scores debuting in this year's Festival line-up and come along to meet the minds behind the music.
Time: 9:30 - 11:00 Date: 25-Feb Price: €5
Tickets: https://www.diff.ie/programme/focus-on-the-composer%3A-screen-composers-panel-%26-networking-event-
Directing Masterclass with Alexandre O. Philippe
The Complex is delighted to welcome acclaimed director, writer, and producer Alexandre O. Philippe for an exclusive masterclass on the art of directing. Known for his gripping feature documentaries like 78/52 (2017), Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist (2019), and You Can Call Me Bill (2023), Philippe is a master at telling compelling cinematic stories.
Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn from one of cinema's most visionary storytellers!
Time: 11:30 - 12:30 Date: 25-Feb Price: €10, €8
Parallel Frames: Connecting the Dots Between Ads & Film
Presented by one of Ireland's leading commercial production companies, Antidote, this eye-opening schedule of talks with industry professionals who have successfully worked across both advertising and filmmaking will consist of three panels.
The first panel will focus on why and how creative talent in commercial production transitions into filmmaking. The second panel will hear from the producers and directors of Antidote discussing the company's 20 years of making TV commercials and films.
The final panel will be an in-conversation with a special guest soon to be announced. Sign up to the mailing list at www.diff.ie to get programme announcements as they happen. All attendees will be invited to join for a round of specialty cocktails to wrap up and reflect on the day's conversations.
Time: 13:00 - 16:30 Date: 25-Feb Price: €15, €13
Tanqueray 0.0% Film Club with Twiggy and Sadie Frost
A rare and unforgettable chance to hear from two iconic figures of film, fashion and contemporary culture: Twiggy, the Golden Globe winning actress and original supermodel, and Sadie Frost, acclaimed actress and director. Together, they'll share the story behind Twiggy, Frost's new documentary offering an intimate, glittering dive into the birth of a star, and everything that followed.
This unmissable event is hosted by actress, writer, and Tanqueray Brand Ambassador Amy Huberman. Don't miss the Irish premiere of Twiggy - Mon 24 Feb, 18:00 at Light House Cinema.
Time: 17:00 - 18:00 Date: 25-Feb Price: €15, €13
International Sales Agents Event
Following the hugely successful Sales Agents events over the last few years, top sales agents and film distributors have been invited from around the world to meet with Irish filmmakers at DIFF 2025, with an introduction by Orla Clancy from Creative Europe. Join to learn more about current trends in sales and acquisition.
Time: 10:00 - 15:30 Date: 26-Feb Price: €10, €8
Volta Awards: Ed Harris
This year's Volta Awards will be presented to Jessica Lange and Ed Harris. Both Volta presentations will be public events and include career retrospective and conversation with the recipients. Don't miss Long Day's Journey into Night, which stars both of this year's award recipients - Thurs 27 Feb, 18:00, Light House Cinema.
Time: 16:00 - 17:00 Date: 26-Feb Price: €15, €13
Sustainability Through Festivals: A Collective Approach
Hosted by Megan Best from Native Events and Julie's Bicycle Europe, both leaders in mobilising climate action, this panel will focus on how festivals can act as catalysts for improving sustainable practices, bringing together groups of venues to advance sustainable production and operations.
Time: 18:00 - 19:00 Date: 26-Feb Price: €5
Volta Awards: Jessica Lange
Volta Awards honour outstanding contributions to the art of filmmaking. Named after Ireland's first dedicated cinema, the Volta Picture Theatre, founded by James Joyce, this prestigious accolade celebrates those whose work has captivated audiences and left a lasting legacy in the global film industry. Previous recipients include Danny DeVito, Steve McQueen, Julie Andrews and Kenneth Branagh.
Time: 16:00 - 17:00 Date: 27-Feb Price: €15, €13
X-POLLINATOR / DIFF: Producers Networking
Do you have a project that you’re looking for a producer to work with and unsure of where to start? X-Pollinator aims to help address gender diversity in the Irish screen industry, and create opportunities for female, trans and non-binary directors, writers and producers to network, share ideas and form creative teams. Make new contacts, practice your pitching skills and meet producers to establish a working relationship with, and help start the journey of developing your project.
Time: 11:00 - 15:00 Date: 28-Feb Price: Free, registration necessary
Young Music Video Competition 2024 Screening
YMVC – Youth Music Video Competition is Ireland’s mentorship programme for emerging directors. Each year, ten filmmakers aged 18-25 are selected to make a music video for an up-and-coming Irish act. The programme mirrors the process a professional filmmaker goes through to make a music video. This screening showcases the videos from the 2024 edition.
Time: 16:00 - 17:00 Date: 28-Feb Price: €10, €8
New Narratives, New Voices
This panel brings together accomplished filmmakers from around the world. Together they will explore the challenges of sharing diverse cultures with a global audience.
Discussion will centre around different approaches to navigating language, context, and storytelling whilst maintaining a strong cultural authenticity. This panel aims to explore how cinema helps shape, celebrate, and appreciate storytelling from multiple cultures on the global stage.
Time: 17:30 - 18:30 Date: 28-Feb Price: €5
Elia Suleiman Masterclass
Join The Complex for an exclusive chat with DIFF Retrospective filmmaker for 2025: Elia Suleiman.
This masterclass will cover his life and work as a Palestinian filmmaker, from the sources of his inspiration to the completion of his films and how he takes local stories to the global stage. Suleiman has been a writer and director for over thirty years, won multiple awards at international festivals, including Cannes and Venice, and is renowned for the dark humour ever-present in his work.
Time: 11:00 - 12:00 Date: 1-Mar Price: €10, €8
PLAYBACK X DIFF: A Celebration of Irish Music Videos
The first ever music video played on MTV Europe was directed by an Irish person.
In a programme curated by Michael Donnelly V this special screening will celebrate the best of Irish music videos and the directors behind them. Featuring insights from the filmmakers behind the videos, the programme will include work from Sam McGrath (Kojaque's Town's Dead), Tara O'Callaghan (Why Axis' Bloodstain), Kevin Godley (U2's The Sweetest Thing), Hugh O'Conor (Sinead O'Connor's 8 Good Reasons), and Bob Gallagher (Lankum's The Young People).
Come celebrate one of the most exciting and innovative genres of filmmaking, in a unique format filled with surprises!
The screening will be followed by an exclusive afterparty.
Time: 17:30 - 19:30 Date: 1-Mar Price: €15, €13
Tickets: https://www.diff.ie/programme/playback-x-diff%3A-a-celebration-of-irish-music-videos%EF%BF%BD
👉 Keep an eye on programme updates and book tickets at www.diff.ie
👉The Avolon Access tickets initiative is designed to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent individuals and community groups from experiencing global storytelling on the big screen. Through a simple registration process, those interested can sign up below, providing very basic details about the barriers they face in attending the festival. Once registered, individuals and organisations will be contacted directly to receive free or subsidised tickets for selected screenings. https://www.diff.ie/avolonaccess