PATRONS SCHEME

While today we rightly focus on those who create art, in the past it was the patron — the person or group of people paying for or supporting the creation of the image — who was often considered the primary force behind a work's creation.

Patrons have always been a vital thread in the fabric of the artistic process (often helping ensure its completion and especially helping bring work to an audience). I believe these creative unions and partnerships are as important now as they ever were, if not more important.

We are therefore delighted, in this our 21st year to launch our inaugural Patrons scheme, which invites and enables members of the industry and the public to ally with Dublin International Film Festival Since its inception, our festival has premiered the best of cinema through our programme of Feature films, shorts and documentaries from filmmakers throughout Ireland and globally. Now taking place over ten days each Spring with a wonderfully rich and diverse programme of new and classic films, international and national. In any given year, up to 100 directors, actors and producers attend the festival to meet Irish filmmakers and audiences.

In the past two decades the festival has grown in stature and impact and as we head into our next phase, we have exciting plans to grow our audiences and engage a broader public. Importantly for the development of the Festival 2023 also marks our first year as DUBLIN International Film Festival owning our own name and without a title sponsor. Exciting indeed as it enables independence, however this also naturally brings some challenges which new Patrons can help us meet.

The support of our Patrons and Friends enables us to sustain and grow and to develop the Festival further. It also allows us to reach those who might not have had the opportunity to experience wider strands of film or to participate in or have a voice in its making. We are delighted at the support we have already received in the inaugural year of our Patrons and Friends Scheme and send our heartfelt thanks to those who have already allied with us.

We now invite you to join with our Patrons in helping safeguard Ireland’s Premier Film Festival and especially in helping us in the vital work of audience development and access to Patrons scheme: www.diff.ie/donate

Looking to the future - and in acknowledgement of the many new forms of patronage and ways of support now available in our digital world- we shall also be starting a virtual DIFF supporters group who will help identify and develop new strands of support for the future. If you are interested in being involved please contact office@diff.ie and we shall be in touch post 2023 Festival.

To steal a line from a favourite Pixar character - and with your help - together we can go ‘To infinity and beyond’.

If you would like to donate and be a part of the inner circle to enjoy privileges like priority booking, gala invites, exclusive access to private screenings and more, you can find more information on: www.diff.ie/donate