Dumb it down

It’s the biggest film festival in Ireland, and it’s getting bigger and better every year. And the 2012 edition, which kicks off today, is a 10^th anniversary celebration, so there’s tonnes of unbelievable stuff happening in Dublin over the next ten days or so.

Like what?

Where do I start?

At the beginning.

Not a bad idea. Right, so the whole thing starts at the Savoy this evening with a gala screening of Cloudburst, written and directed by Thom Fitzgerald and starring Brenda Fricker, who is attending the screening.

She’s attending? So she’ll be there looking at herself while the rest of the people in the Savoy look at her, both on the screen and sitting down beside them?

Eh, something like that. The stars showing up for the screenings of their films is one of the cornerstones of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, and Fricker is just one of a host of actors scheduled to make an appearance over the next ten days.

Who else?

The name that’s been up in flashing neon for months now is Al Pacino, who will be showcasing his Oscar Wilde documentary, Wilde Salome. Glenn Close will also be at the Savoy on Saturday night (February 18) for the screening of Albert Nobbs, while Michael Madsen will attend a special Jameson Cult Film Club screening of Reservoir Dogs next Tuesday night. Madsen – a.k.a. Mr Blonde, one of the most ruthless villains in cinema history – will take part in a Q&A session on the night. We’re giving away tickets over here, and you have until midnight on Sunday night to enter that competition. And you really should try your luck – Reservoir Dogs is invitation-only as part of the Jameson Cult Film Club’s acclaimed series of screenings, which immerses the audience into the film. Anyone who had an alien land on their shoulder at the Mansion House before Christmas will know exactly what I’m talking about.

Right. So where does the Festival take place?

The three main venues are the Savoy, Cineworld and the recently-reopened Light House Cinema in Smithfield but films will also be shown in a variety of unique venues across Dublin, including the “Picture House” campaign in which ten care for the elderly centres will become temporary cinemas to bring the magic of the movies to those who may not otherwise have the chance to experience it.

Fantastic. What about tickets?

Tickets for the festival as a whole are available from www.jdiff.com, by calling 01-6877974 or by calling into one of the box offices, at the Savoy, Cineworld and the Light House Cinema. Screenings before 6pm on weekdays will set you back €8, with a €10 admission fee for evening screenings, €15 for special presentations, which include acclaimed Irish movies Albert Nobbs and Stella Days and €18 for the opening and closing gala evenings.

Sounds good, but what about discounts?

Knew you’d ask that. Well, you can buy in bulk – a ticket to ten evening screenings is available for €80, so that’s a ‘Buy 8, get 2 free deal’. If you’re of the serious film buff variety, you can always fork out €235 for the full-season ticket, which gives you access to all 147 screenings.

Is it possible to attend every single one?

Not without some help from that rodent-faced dude from "Quantum Leap".

If we haven’t told you enough about the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, you’ll find lots more over at www.jdiff.com. Or download the all-you-need-to-know PDF brochure here.