IADT and Dublin International Film Festival Launch New Innovative Partnership

This year’s Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) saw the launch of a new relationship with one of the Festival’s long-time collaborators with the announcement that the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) is to become the official Education Partner to Ireland’s most significant celebration of the best of Irish and international cinema.

IADT, which is based in Dún Laoghaire, is home to the National Film School (NFS), internationally recognised for producing Oscar, Emmy, BAFTA and IFTA‑winning and nominated alumni, and named by Variety as one of its Top Film Schools in 2020. IADT students have participated in competitions, student panels and talent development programmes at the Festival for many years. IADT is also a founding member of FilmEU, a European University for the Creative Industries and a supporter of this partnership. The new agreement will see IADT and DIFF expand their relationship over the next two years to include student and graduate student showcase opportunities within the festival programme, industry bursaries, and access to masterclasses, panels, and funding and networking forums.

“We’re really excited about this new relationship with the Dublin International Film Festival as it will allow IADT to enhance our engagement with an event that is not only a major festival of film but also an important meeting point for artists and professionals working in the film and screen industries, here in Ireland, but also globally.” said David Smith, IADT President.

 

 “It will benefit our students with a stronger integration of industry-facing learning in the National Film School, increase the national and international visibility of IADT’s students, its graduates, and the programmes we offer. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to formalise what has been a close relationship over the years with many of our 10,000 plus alumni working in the screen and creative industries, which contribute significantly to the creative economy, both in Ireland and internationally.” he added.

 The new relationship is one DIFF sees as a natural progression in the close working collaboration it’s had with IADT and its students and graduates in recent years, and one that the education partner designation details more extensively.

 “We see this new partnership as an exciting one that builds on our established relationship with IADT and its students, but with the creation of a more structured cooperative agreement, it allows us to deliver a more strategic and mutually beneficial framework for collaboration together that we know will benefit both the Festival and IADT into the future,” said Gráinne Humphreys, Festival Director, Dublin International Film Festival.

The agreement between IADT and DIFF will run for the 2026 and 2027 Festival programme years and will see a greater profile for IADT at the Festival’s venues and screenings.

About IADT

The Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) is Ireland’s campus for the creative industries and the only institute of higher education with a specific focus on the creative cultural and technological sectors in the country. Based in Dún Laoghaire, IADT is home to the National Film School and has over 2,800 students and graduate students studying a wide range of innovative and pioneering courses that include filmmaking, immersive media production, cyberpsychology, and business and digital technology.

About Dublin International Film Festival

Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) is Ireland’s premier film event, dedicated to presenting the best in contemporary and classic world cinema. It brings the world to Ireland and showcases Ireland to the world. With a rich history spanning several decades, DIFF showcases a diverse selection of films, hosts industry events, and fosters a vibrant film culture in Dublin. Over the past 24 years, it has screened more than 2,000 international films from over 52 countries. The festival has hosted over 600 high profile guests, including Al Pacino, Angela Lansbury, Brendan Gleeson, Daniel Day-Lewis, Danny DeVito, Ennio Morricone, Joss Whedon, Julie Andrews, Kristin Scott Thomas, Stanley Tucci, and Stellan Skarsgård.

Pictured: IADT students and staff celebrate the announcement of the Institute becoming the official Education Partner of the Dublin International Film Festival.