Irish film is a hot ticket right now. Keep up to date with the latest goings-on in the world of Irish and international cinema with our list of every film festival in Ireland in 2024.
Following unprecedented recognition at last year’s Academy Awards, Irish film has never been more popular. More and more people, both at home and abroad, are keeping up to date with the world of Irish cinema.
The best place to start is with the country’s wealth of film festivals that take place throughout the year and showcase the best in local and international independent cinema.
The importance of film festivals – showcasing talent from near and far
Film festivals give independent filmmakers a chance to showcase their work to a wider audience. This, in turn, can help the film itself gain a wider distribution and earn the filmmakers greater acclaim and funding opportunities.
Take An Irish Goodbye, for example. Before its Oscars success, Tom Berkeley and Ross White’s short made the rounds at international festivals and even some of the local festivals listed below.
Dublin International Film Festival
Location: Dublin
Dates: 22 February-2 March
Animation Dingle
Dates: 22-23 March
Tickets and more info: HERE
Fresh Film Festival
Location: Limerick
Dates: 15-20 April
Latest info: HERE
Catalyst International Film Festival
Location: Limerick
Dates: 18-20 April
Latest info: HERE
Fastnet Film Festival
Location: Cork
Dates: 22-26 May
Tickets and more info: HERE
Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival
Location: Dublin and Belfast
Dates: TBA (last year: May (Dublin) and October (Belfast))
Latest info: HERE
Galway Film Fleadh
Location: Galway
Dates: 9-14 July
Latest info: HERE
GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival
Location: Dublin
Dates: 1-5 August
Latest info: HERE
IFI Documentary Festival 2023
Location: Dublin
Dates: TBA (last year: 27 September-1 October)
Latest info: HERE
IndieCork Film Festival
Location: Cork
Dates: 6-13 October
Latest info: HERE
OFFline
Location: Birr, Offaly
Dates: 9-13 October
Latest info: HERE
Kerry Film Festival
Location: Killarney, Kerry
Dates: TBA (last year: 19-22 October)
Latest info: HERE
The Richard Harris International Film Festival
Location: Limerick
Dates: 26-31 October
Latest info: HERE
Clones Film Festival
Location: Clones, Monaghan
Dates: TBA (last year: 26-29 October)
Latest info: HERE
Cork International Film Festival
Location: Cork
Dates: 7-17 November
Latest info: HERE
Foyle Film Festival
Location: Derry
Dates: November (exact dates TBA)
Latest info: HERE
Belfast Film Festival
Location: Belfast
Dates: TBA (last year: 2-11 November)
Latest info: HERE
Silk Road International Film Festival
Location: Dublin
Dates: TBA (last year: 13-24 November)
Latest info: HERE
Stay up to date with film festivals in Ireland in 2024 – top tips
While the earlier film festivals have dates set and tickets available, you’ll have noticed that many later in the year are yet to reach that point. In such instances, we have included the dates for last year’s editions, as it is likely that the 2024 dates will coincide.
We recommend following the official pages of these festivals to be the first to know about this year’s dates.
Alternatively, Screen Ireland is one of the best sources for Irish film industry news.
