The nation’s movie critics have spoken. Members of the Dublin Film Critics Circle have, for the 17th year, announced their picks for Best Film, Best Director, Best Irish Film, Best Documentary and Best Performances from the Dublin International Film Festival 2023 programme. The awards were once again supported by Limelight Communications. Irish filmmakers were present at Generator in Smithfield, Dublin, to accept their awards, with video messages from international winners also shown at the ceremony. The Dublin Film Critics Circle comprises professional critics working regularly in the Irish capital. The body hands out these annual awards at the Dublin International Film Festival.

This year’s DFCC Award winners at DIFF:

Best Film: The Beasts

Best Director: Léa Mysius, The Five Devils

Best Screenplay: Cristian Mungiu, RMN

Best Actress: Kristine Kujath Thorp, Sick of Myself

Best Actor: Eden Dambrine, Close

Best Debut Feature: Michal Blasko, Victim

Best Editor: Nico Leunen, Eight Mountains

Best Cinematography: Marine Altan, Thunder

Best Score: Nadah El Shazly, The Damned Don’t Cry

Best Ensemble: How to Blow Up a Pipeline

Best Documentary: Kanaval: A People’s History of Haiti

Best Irish Film: My Sailor, My Love

Best Irish Documentary: 406 Days

George Byrne Maverick Award: Mark Cousins

Michael Dwyer Discovery Award: Zara Devlin