Oscar-nominated actor Paul Mescal is set to attend the Dublin International Film Festival later this month as his drama God’s Creatures is set to open the event.
The drama, starring Mescal, Emily Watson and Aisling Franciosi, made its world premiere at Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes last year.
The Kildare native and Watson will attend the festival on February 23 for the gala screening of the dark drama.
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Set in a small fishing community in the west of Ireland, God’s Creatures tells of a mother who is torn between her instinct to protect her son and her own sense of right and wrong, following a painful revelation.
Speaking at the launch at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin on Tuesday, Festival Director Gráinne Humphreys said: "Since the start Dublin International Film Festival has been an audience festival and a product of the environment it lives and breathes in and the community it is built on.
"Part of our job is to explore and reflect where that city and community is today. As our city and our film community has changed over recent years, we felt it was also important that we change as a festival.
"Previous iterations have had a title sponsor, and we’ve always been incredibly grateful to them for their partnerships and support which have helped the festival become what it is. But now, for the first time, we felt it was important to work with a broader community of supporters, industry partners, artists and filmmakers, and to reimagine what Dublin International Film Festival could be.
"I am particularly delighted to premiere the superb line-up of new Irish films and show these new works alongside their international counterparts.
"It’s a festival programme which I am extremely proud of, packed with discoveries and gems. I’m thankful as ever to all our partners and friends for their support in helping us to realise a physical festival and to my colleagues for their commitment to making this the best festival possible."
The festival, which runs until March 4, will also celebrate the life and work of Jane Seymour, in conversation with Rick O’Shea, while Aidan Gillen’s film Barber will also be screened and Claire Dix makes her debut with her first feature film, Sunlight, starring Barry Ward and Liam Carney.
John Connors will present his feature debut, The Black Guelph; Finnish director Klaus Härö will present his breath-taking English language debut, My Sailor, My Love, set on Achill Island and Ciaran Creagh will screen Ann, based on the last day of Ann Lovett.
The Dublin International Film Festival will also welcome Jim Sheridan, Artavazd Peleshyan and Robbie Ryan, while the festival is delighted to announce that this year’s Volta awardee is Emily Watson.
The Dublin International Film Festival takes place from February 23 until March 4.
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