The Audi Dublin Film Festival line-up is being unveiled today, ahead of the festival next month.
Festival organisers have revealed the first details of the programme this afternoon, ahead of the full programme launch and the opening of online ticket sales at 6.30pm this evening.
Vanessa Redgrave, Cillian Murphy, Ross Noble and Anna Friel are among the well-known names attending the festival, which runs between the 16th and 26th of February.
The festival will open on with the Irish premiere of Maudie, a biopic of folk artist Maud Lewis. The film is directed by Aisling Walsh (Song for a Raggy Boy) and stars Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke.
There will be a gala screening of Jim Sheridan’s The Secret Scripture, starring Rooney Mara, Eric Bana and Jack Reynor. The film also features Vanessa Redgrave, who will receive a Volta Award at the festival.
World premieres at this year's festival include Irish director Juanita Wilson’s Tomato Red (with cast member Anna Friel in attendance), the Aidan Gillen starring Pickups, and documentary The Piano Lesson from His & Hers director Ken Wardrop.
The previously announced Audi Gala screening will be Free Fire from acclaimed British director Ben Wheatley, with the director joining stars Jack Reynor and Cillian Murphy at the screening.
Internationally, films from 35 countries are represented. The line-up includes the latest films from established directors such as Olivier Assayas (Personal Shopper), Pablo LarraiÌn (Neruda), Asghar Farhadi (The Salesman), Cristian Mungiu (Graduation) and Terence Davies (A Quiet Passion).
Those looking for more offbeat gems will also be well served, with the instant cult classic The Love Witch and the colourfully named animation My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea! among the selection from first-time directors.
Special events at this year's festival include an interview with the beloved British director Terence Davies (Distant Voices, Still Lives & The Deep Blue Sea) conducted by Roddy Doyle, and masterclasses by Ben Wheatley and Oscar-winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne.
The core festival will also be preceded by a selection of family films as part of the 'Fantastic Flix' strand - including screenings of The Lego Batman Movie and the Studio Ghibli co-produced The Red Turtle.
And of course the ever-popular surprise film will keep audiences guessing until the lights go down and the title card pops up.
Festival Director Grainne Humphreys said: "To be able to include new Irish films from Aisling Walsh, Jim Sheridan, Emer Reynolds, Aiden Gillen, John Butler, Neasa Ní Chianán, Juanita Wilson and Ken Wardrop as just some of the Irish filmmakers in the festival is an extraordinary testament to the current strength and depth of the Irish film industry.
"I hope that as many Dubliners as possible take this chance to explore and celebrate the art of film - the festival is open to everyone," she added.
