The Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF), set to open this February, has released its 2025 programme, promising an exciting lineup of international and Irish queer films.
Featuring 80 titles including 10 world premieres and 55 shorts, DIFF will transform the city into a cinematic hub, featuring a diverse array of screenings and many exciting activities. The films were selected from 756 entries from 16 different countries spanning the US, Japan, Norway, Uruguay and more.
Festival Director Gráinne Humphreys said: “Following the success of last year’s festival, we are delighted to present what we believe is an equally exciting programme of films and guests to the audiences of Dublin and beyond.”
Cinema enthusiasts can choose from a rich selection of films that explore LGBTQ+ themes, ranging from long-duration films to lectures and live performances.
Irish filmmakers will gift us with productions such as Paul Rowley’s Never Stop the Action, a cinematographic work which follows Teshi and Casey’s experimental journey through New York.
Meanwhile, acclaimed Irish film Four Mothers will also delight attendees with its tribute to middle-aged Irish gay men, their relationship with their working-class mothers and what it means to grow up.
On the international front, Went up the Hill tells the story of Jack, who travels to remote New Zealand for the funeral of his estranged mother and meets her widow, Jill. When Jack’s mother’s spirit inhabits both of their bodies, the pair form an intense and complex connection. Despite not being a sexuality-centred movie, director Samuel Van Grinsven explains how, by making both characters queer, he wanted to remove the conventional expectation of romantic connection and instead explore a bond of trust, in a way that is like brother and sister.
Continuing with the festival’s commitment to promoting international talent, psychological thriller Pierce directed by Nelicia Low is set to fulfil all queer fans’ expectations. The movie delves into the lives of Taiwanese brothers, Zijie and Zihan, partly focusing on how Zijie navigates his mother’s refusal to acknowledge his sexuality and his growing feelings for a cute sparring partner.
The short film section of the festival will include Dollar Baby’s, which follows a queer couple that finds themselves venturing into the world of online sex work as they struggle with their finances.
DIFF will also present The Adventures of Prince Achmed, a silent film and live music performance that will leave everybody speechless. As the world’s oldest surviving feature, filmed over three years, it is renowned for being one of the first films to portray queer love with an openly gay couple.
Queer activities won’t be missing either. Vanessa’s lecture in IFCO Series will seek to analyse and interrogate queer female representation in film over the last two decades and will ask how this representation has evolved over time. Surely, an insightful discussion not to be missed.
The 11-day festival is set to transform Dublin into a vibrant hub of cinematic excellence, running from February 20 to March 2.
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The full Dublin International Film Festival programme for 2025, including these queer highlights and more, is now available, and tickets can be purchased here. Don’t miss out on witnessing these captivating works of LGBTQ+ cinema!
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