Introducing the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival, 20^th February – 3^rd March 2019

 

Today, 20^th August 2018, Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) announces Virgin Media, Ireland’s leading connected internet provider, as the festival’s new title sponsor. The term of the title sponsor partnership is for three years beginning with the 2019 festival which takes place from 20^th February to 3^rd March 2019. For more information visit www.diff.ie

 

Over the past sixteen years, Dublin International Film Festival has showcased the work of Ireland’s very talented producers, directors, screenwriters and actors. It has hosted over 600 major guests, including winners of the festival’s prestigious Volta Award such as Al Pacino, Julie Andrews, Danny DeVito, Daniel Day-Lewis, Joss Whedon, Brendan Gleeson, Angela Lansbury, Stanley Tucci, Stellan Skarsgård, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ennio Morricone.

 

The Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival will bring the world’s best films to Dublin in its spectacular 17^th edition that will include world premieres and a total of over 110 features. Known for its own creativity and entertainment, Virgin Media will now be associated with Ireland’s premier film festival, and through its sponsorship will also foster local Irish indigenous talent in the filmic arts.

 

To celebrate the announcement, the first collaboration will see the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival host the European premiere of Lenny Abrahamson’s new film The Little Stranger at a gala screening on 12^th September next at The Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin. The darkly mysterious period drama is based on the novel of the same name by Sarah Waters and features Irish and international acting talent including Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson, Charlotte Rampling and Will Poulter.

 

Lenny Abrahamson, Academy Award nominated director of Room, will be in attendance at the premiere of The Little Stranger alongside cast members Domhnall Gleeson and Ruth Wilson.

 

Grainne Humphreys, Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival Director said: “It’s a huge honour for us to have Virgin Media join with us as our new title sponsors. As a festival we have grown to become one which features a truly global line-up, as well as celebrating the best of Irish film talent, both in front and behind the camera. Virgin Media’s decision to come on board reflects the belief a global company has in what the festival offers and also in the wider Irish film industry.”

Paul Higgins, Director of Consumer, Virgin Media said: “We’re extremely proud to be the title sponsor of the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival.  This underlines our commitment to foster creativity in film production and television content as Ireland’s leading connected entertainment provider and commercial broadcasting company. In 2019, Dublin will once again become a global showcase for the best films and talent. We want this to be a signal to the world of everything Ireland has to offer as a film industry hub where we are also focused on encouraging home produced content for our own TV channels and services.”

Founded in 2003, the Dublin International Film Festival sets the agenda of the year with its programme of outstanding Irish and international film. Featuring an extraordinary red carpet line-up of on-screen talent and guest filmmakers, the festival offers unique access to a plethora of filmmaking talent and transforms Dublin into a hub of glamour, creativity and film appreciation. The festival enjoys an international reputation and is considered a vital launch-pad for Irish titles and an important showcase of world cinema for discerning audiences.

 

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Notes to Editor:

About Dublin International Film Festival

Dublin International Film Festival has screened world cinema from 52 different countries, a total of almost 1,500 films, of which 300 were Irish features including Irish premieres of Sing Street, Once, Ondine, In Bruges, Calvary, The Stag and The Secret of Kells. The festival’s young people’s programme Fantastic Flix is expanding each year, engaging schools and families and building a new generation of film fans

 

The Dublin International Film Festival is sponsored by Virgin Media, its principal funder is the Arts Council and it is also in receipt of funding from official industry partner, the Irish Film Board. Key partners and funders include hotel partner The Merrion Hotel, print transport partner Wells Cargo, post-production partner Windmill Lane, social listening partners Olytico, digital out-of-home provider Orbscreen, official food ordering app Just Eat, with media partners Entertainment.ie, 98FM, The Times & The Sunday Times and micromedia.ie. Kerry Foods’ Cheestrings are sponsors of the VMDIFF’s Fantastic Flix family programme. Venue Partners include Cineworld.    

About Virgin Media

Virgin Media is known for challenging the status quo – taking on industry giants, championing people and simply delivering extraordinary products and services.

We help create a digital world that makes good things happen: for our customers and the communities in which we operate.  

 

In Ireland our cable business delivers multi award-winning services: broadband, TV, mobile and home phone connect thousands of people across the country.  But we’re not finished, we’re extending our network reach through Project Lightning so that more communities can enjoy the benefits of the fastest, widely available broadband speeds from Virgin Media.

 

Our broadcast division, Virgin Media Television is Ireland’s number one commercial broadcaster operating three free-to-air channels (Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Three, plus the Virgin Media Player) and is a significant investor in home produced content across news, current affairs, drama and sports.

Through Virgin Media Business, we support entrepreneurs, businesses and the public sector, delivering the fastest speeds and tailor-made services.

 

Virgin Media is part of Liberty Global, the world’s largest international TV and broadband company, with operations in 11 European countries. The company invests in the infrastructure and digital platforms that empower customers to make the most of the video, internet and communications revolution.

For further information please visit: www.virginmedia.ie