The Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) has unveiled the lineup for its 2026 edition, featuring 83 films, including 17 world premieres. Among the stars expected to travel to Dublin for the Feb. 19-March 1 fest are the likes of Paul Rudd, Bill Nighy, Colin Farrell, Chris Colfer, Nick Jonas, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Bolger, Katie McGrath, Aidan Gillen and Éanna Hardwicke.
This year’s edition will also present a record number of 26 Irish narrative features and documentaries, 17 of which will celebrate their world premiere.
“The mix of veterans and rising stars ensures a festival that bridges generations and inspires future filmmakers,” organizers said on Tuesday. “By boldly immersing audiences in cinema culture, DIFF 2026 will bring Dublin city to life with vibrant screenings, pop-up events, and a sense of anticipation that spreads across the city’s theatres, cafes and cultural spaces.” The program will feature movies in various genres and from around the world, in addition to local fare.
Said Dublin festival director Gráinne Humphreys: “Ireland is often referred to as a nation of cinema-goers, but we do not always see as much world cinema as we could or should. 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 and look forward to welcoming new audiences while reconnecting with our loyal attendees.”
DIFF will open with the world premiere of David Gleeson’s Once Upon a Time in a Cinema, which it describes as “a joyous and heartfelt celebration of the enduring magic of cinema.” Humphreys called the movie, infused with personal memories of Gleeson’s late father’s cinema, “an Irish counterpart to Cinema Paradiso.” Opening night will see Gleeson in attendance, along with Colin Morgan (Merlin) and Calam Lynch (Bridgerton), organizers said.
They previously announced that John Carney’s musical-comedy Power Ballad, starring Jonas and Rudd, would world premiere as the closing film of Dublin 2026.
Among the Irish movies getting their world premieres at Dublin are Morgan Matthews‘ 500 Miles, starring Nighy, Clare Dunne and Maisie Williams, The Three Urns by Stephen Warbeck and John-Paul Davidson and starring Hinds, One Last Deal by Brendan Muldowney, starring Danny Dyer, and Samanta Nobody by Ciaran Creagh.
Meanwhile, Irish documentaries premiering at Dublin feature the likes of Irish artist and musician Guggi (Guggi) and Colin Farrell (The Slightest Touch).
Special screenings at DIFF will showcase further big names, including Everybody Digs Bill Evans (Bill Pullman), The Lightkeeper (Cooper), Gorky Resort (Gillen), The Restoration at Grayson Manor (Colfer), and No Ordinary Heist (Eddie Marsan, Hardwicke).
This year’s Country in Focus at Dublin is Switzerland, featuring a retrospective of filmmaker Lionel Baier (The Safe House). Noted DIFF organizers: “Baier’s films, often exploring themes of identity, society, and personal struggle with wit and insight, provide a rich cultural lens for Irish audiences and exemplify the diversity of modern European cinema.”
