Brendan Gleeson and Colm Meaney were among the host of stars who turned out for the 8th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF) programme launch in the Tripod bar on Harcourt Street tonight. The festival itself will begin on February 18th.
Other celebrities such as Nora Jane Noone and Risteard Cooper were also seen milling among the throng.
Michael Dwyer, this newspaper’s former film correspondent and the event’s founder was, following his death on New Year’s Day, very much in the speakers’ minds.
Arthur Lappin, the distinguished producer who took over from Mr Dwyer as the Festival’s chairman last year, led the tributes.
“Michael Dwyer should be standing here, brimming with excitement and enthusiasm, as he had done for the past eight years, for what’s to come on February 18th,” Mr Lappin said.
“But tonight we do not want to dwell on our loss, but, rather, revel in the enrichment he has given us.” Grainne Humphreys, the festival’s director, had already announced that this year’s event was to be dedicated to Mr Dwyer.
There will be a season of films that Michael particularly cherished and the Dublin Film Critics Circle is to present a “breakthrough award” in his name.
Michael Dwyer founded The Dublin Film Festival in 1985 and, following its dissolution under different management, reconstituted the event in its present form seven years ago.
Though keen to acknowledge Michael’s passing, the speakers, who also included Pat Moylan of the Arts Council and Emma Donnellan from Jameson’s, were, as Mr Lappin urged, eager to look towards the future and promote another impressive programme.
This year's event begins with the Irish premiere of Neil Jordan's film Ondine, which stars Colin Farrell as a fisherman who appears to catch a mermaid in his net.
Other eye-catching highlights include a first Irish outing for Martin Scorsese's much anticipated Shutter Island, a thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and the unveiling of Tim Burton's re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland.
The festival closes on February 28th with a screening of Luca Guadagnino's Italian epic I am Love.
Tilda Swinton, star of that film, will be just one of many distinguished guests turning up to chat with festival patrons over the 10 days.
Also expected to attend are Colin Farrell, Kristin Scott Thomas, Patricia Clarkson and Ciarán Hinds.
As is always the case with JDIFF, there will be a wide selection of more eccentric pictures from every corner of the world.
Ms Humphreys, now presiding over her third festival, was keen to promote impressive Russian and Korean seasons and to highlight an Irish Talent Spotlight.
Ms Moylan expressed excitement at an expected visit by the singularly outrageous, veteran American experimentalist Kenneth Anger.
So, something for everyone then.
The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival runs from February 18th to February 28th.
