Ahead of the 2023 Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) which runs from February 23 to March 4, Limerick School of Art & Design (LSAD), TUS and the iconic festival will host a special preview screening of nominated student films on February 22. Taking place at Technological University of the Shannon’s (TUS) Millennium Theatre, the event will showcase the emerging student film-making talent in the region and will feature a film industry panel discussions and live musical performances.
The selection of 11 student films are nominated for the national DIFF First Frame 2023 student awards which will be announced in Dublin’s Lighthouse Cinema the following day.
Commenting on the event, LSAD Lecturer and Programme Leader, Muireann de Barra, said, “We are delighted to work with Dublin International Film Festival to recognise and celebrate the emerging student film-making talent alongside leading and award-winning filmmakers. This is the first time a DIFF event of this scale will be held outside of Dublin which we are very proud of. This special preview event recognises a new generation of emerging filmmakers and encourages students from TUS and other Colleges and Higher Education Institutions around Ireland to share the prestigious Dublin International Film Festival as a platform to showcase their work.”
The event will be opened by Dr Susan Liddy, President of Women in Film and Television International. The preview screening will feature a film industry panel discussion that includes TUS graduates from Creative Broadcast & Film Production and Music Technology & Production programmes. The panelists are award winning director, writer and actor Laura O’Shea, Limerick-based editor Philip Shanahan, Director and Producer Michelle Ryan and regional Film & TV Development Manager, Rachael Power.
Mike Fitzpatrick, Dean of Limerick School of Art and Design, TUS commented, “This is a big moment for Limerick and our students, coupled with the growing prominence of the Irish Film industry. It’s exciting that the Dublin International Film Festival has chosen to preview its ‘First Frame’ Awards here at LSAD. This is building the confidence and ambition of our students and our future film makers.”
TUS offers programmes across the film, broadcast media, music and animation industries on multiple campuses across QQI Levels 6, 7, 8 and 9 on a full-time and flexible learning basis for those seeking to upskill. TUS programmes are unique as they offer hands-on production experience and skills in addition to structured theory-based studies.
Speaking ahead of the preview screening, Dublin International Film Festival Director, Gráinne Humphreys, said, “This event offers students and filmmakers the opportunity to see the films and experience the buzz of the Dublin International Film Festival as part of DIFF’s regional outreach programme. Having DIFF filmmaker-in-residence 2023, and LSAD TUS graduate Laura O’ Shea, as a panel contributor makes LSAD TUS a natural fit for this inaugural event.”