DIFF 2026 Industry Programme: Where Conversations Begin and Connections Are Made

At the heart of Dublin International Film Festival is the belief that cinema thrives when people come together to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and imagine the future. Alongside our public screenings, DIFF 2026 presents the Festival's most ambitious Industry Programme to date, bringing filmmakers, producers, students, creatives, and decision-makers into the same rooms for eleven days of insight and inspiration.

If you're interested in attending a number of these events, the DIFF 2026 Industry Pass offers exceptional value, giving access to all official Industry Events alongside a selection of specially curated public screenings and talks. At just €100, the Industry Pass is your gateway to conversations that matter, skills that last, and connections that can shape careers.

GET YOUR DIFF 2026 INDUSTRY PASS

Whether you’re taking your first steps into the industry or are deep into your professional career, this year’s programme is designed to meet you where you are, offering practical knowledge, international perspectives, and rare opportunities to learn directly from leading voices in film.

Here are the DIFF 2026 Industry highlights, all of which are covered by our Industry Pass.

Learn from the Masters

DIFF 2026 offers two unmissable masterclasses with internationally acclaimed filmmakers. These sessions offer a chance to go beyond theory and hear directly from artists at the top of their fields.

Directing Masterclass with Lionel Baier

Known for his distinctive visual style and fearless exploration of identity, sexuality and European politics, Swiss director Lionel Baier discusses his body of work and creative process in a rare, in-depth session.

Cinematography Masterclass with Piotr Sobociński Jr.

One of Europe’s most celebrated cinematographers, Sobociński Jr. (Gorky Resort) breaks down the craft of cinematography, sharing insights from a career spanning award-winning features and international productions.

Inside the Industry: From Funding to Festivals

This year’s Industry Programme tackles the realities of filmmaking today, from funding and festivals to distribution and sustainability:

• International Film Programmers Panel: Featuring programmers from Sundance, TIFF, Tribeca, Karlovy Vary, Munich, Helsinki and more, this essential session offers rare insight into how festivals select films and how filmmakers can build smarter festival strategies.

• International Sales Agents Event: Meet top international sales agents and distributors and learn about current trends in sales, acquisitions and global markets.

• International Distribution Event: A practical look at how Irish films can find audiences beyond the festival circuit, with case studies from recent success stories.

• State of the Nation: Irish Distribution: A timely and urgent discussion on the future of cinema exhibition in Ireland, addressing shrinking theatrical opportunities and what can be done to protect audiences and screens.

Craft, Creativity & Collaboration

DIFF 2026 also zooms in on the creative disciplines that shape films from the ground up:

• Focus on the Composer: Presented by the Screen Composers Guild of Ireland, this panel explores the role of music in storytelling with composers whose work features in this year’s festival.

• From 30 Seconds to 90 Minutes: How does storytelling change between commercials, television and feature films? This panel examines how filmmakers adapt their craft across formats.

• Location, Location, Location!: A deep dive into filming on location in Ireland — from breathtaking landscapes to logistical challenges — with leading location managers.

Sustainability, Ethics & the Future of Film

As the industry evolves, DIFF continues to foreground responsibility and sustainability:

• Sustainability Case Study: The Restoration at Grayson Manor: An in-depth look at how one production embedded sustainability into every stage of filmmaking, from power generation to catering.

• Sustainability: Green from Script to Screen Workshop: This dynamic world-building workshop aimed at writers in development will explore how you can integrate climate conscious storytelling into your project.

• Sustainability: Green from Script to Screen Panel: Hear from climate storytelling leaders who will be speaking about what the future of the planet and the green turn within the industry might hold.

• Documentary Futures: Building Audiences in Ireland: Presented by Screen Producers Ireland, this session explores how documentaries can reach wider audiences in an increasingly crowded media landscape.

• Changing the Lens: Diverse Voices on Screen: A panel examining how filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds navigate the international industry while maintaining cultural authenticity.

International Perspectives & Cultural Exchange

• Swiss Cinema Day: As part of Country in Focus: A Celebration of Swiss Cinema, this dedicated day explores Swiss–Irish collaboration and showcases new work alongside a retrospective of director Lionel Baier.

• Director in Focus: Nanouk Leopold: A conversation with the acclaimed Dutch filmmaker following the Irish premiere of Whitetail.

• aemi in conversation with Annina Wettstein: A must-attend discussion with the respected programmer and curator, offering insight into experimental film, curation and international festival strategies.