Virgin Media DIFF is thinking of all the filmmakers, artists, festivalgoers, and our fellow festivals during this time - just like you, we slowly reawait the reopening of cinemas and count down the days until we’re reunited with our friends and colleagues. Until then, we are grateful for opportunities to support each other however we can from home, especially to our partners who make the festival possible each year. Find a little recluse with our top picks from our partners here.

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Virgin Media

Catch up on programmes like Coronation Street and The Graham Norton Show on Virgin Media Player, or hunker down for a film or two with their selection of rentable on demand films. Loads of kid-friendly options are available for little ones!

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Light House 

Light House is bringing weekly quarantine quizzes to the masses, each one with a theme such as Animation or Movie Lawyers. Find the most recent quiz on the Light House website homepage. You can also catch #VMDIFF20 releases like Sea Fever, Vivarium, and Calm With Horses on their sister company site, Volta.ie.

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IFI

Peruse the IFI Player to get your fill of Irish film from the past. This virtual viewing room is stuffed with gems from the IFI Film Archive, from retro adverts to technicolor shorts.

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Chocolate Factory - Blas

If you attended a festival event at the Chocolate Factory, chances are you caught sight of their onsite cafe Blas...and if you’ve ever popped in for a bite, you’re definitely missing them by now. The good news is that you can now order Blas At Home! Check their Instagram for details. 

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Merrion

In the mood for another quarantine bake? The Merrion’s Executive Pastry Chef Paul Kelly shared his Irish soda bread recipe for you to whip up in your own kitchen. Serve with a cup of tea from your finest teacup.

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Aer Lingus

While travelling has been put on hold for the time being, you can still dream about faraway destinations on the Aer Lingus blog with their countless city guides. Or, take yourself on a seven-hour transatlantic plane journey from Dublin to Philadelphia - the airline’s foray into the booming “slow time TV” trend. Guaranteed to help you get lost in the clouds!

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Screen Ireland

Screen Ireland has made it easy to find our favourite Irish flicks online with this round up of what films are where. We’re currently rewatching Papi Chulo, last year’s opening film; The Farthest, 2017’s Audience Award winner; and The Breadwinner, an Oscar-nominated animation that took home our 2018 Audience Award.

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Screen Skills Ireland

Pop in to a Screen Talks webinar hosted by Screen Skills Ireland! Our Festival Director Grainne Humphreys was recently featured - if you missed it, find her talk in the Screen Talks archive here.

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BAI

If you need a movie break and are craving some sport action instead, dive into the GAA Digital Archive, launched by GAA and our partner, BAI. You’ll find more than 113 All-Ireland finals and all provincial finals since 1961, so don a jersey and settle into your couch with a pint in hand.

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Culture Ireland

Culture Ireland is treating us to thrice daily streams of online performances by artists. Find #IrelandPerforms events on Culture Ireland’s Facebook page as well as the artists’ social media channels!

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DCC

Now is the perfect time to tend to your garden - and Dublin City Council wants to help you! DCC will post a free copy of this snazzy Gardening for Biodiversity pamphlet to any Dublin door on request. Just email [email protected] and prepare to make your garden a wildlife sanctuary!

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Failte Ireland

Failte Ireland is spearheading the efforts to ensure the support of employee wellbeing. Check out their website for useful resources on the topic, as well as suggestions on how to best get through this time in the workplace.

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Stay safe, dear friends! We can't wait to be crowded in at the cinema with you again soon.

Festival Team