“DIFF First Frame 2025: My Personal Experience”
DIFF is a world-class destination for film. A festival that lasts for 11 unforgettable days in February, transforms Dublin into a hub of cinematic and creative excellence.
It is a fantastic networking opportunity that hosts world premieres, intimate screenings, exclusive Q&As, awards celebrations and parties.
I had the unique pleasure of attending the First Frame event on the 19th of February, at the Light House Cinema in Smithfield, accompanied by Naomi Seale, Media Studies professor at Maynooth University and 14 other students.
From vibrant, personalised animations to poignant and intriguing short films, the event screened 35 creations by students from media, film and arts studies at University College Dublin, Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education, Technological University Dublin, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Dundalk Institute of Technology is an institute of technology, Trinity College Dublin, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Maynooth University, Dublin Business School, Gorey School of Art, University College Cork, Cork Fet, South East Technological University and Griffith College.
The event alternated between screens to Q&A sessions with Liz Bales from the Industry Trust and the Irish award-winning filmmaker Claire Frances Byrne.
Bales promoted the sacred value of copyright and creativity in the film industry, by addressing the ongoing challenge of the film and TV piracy phenomenon. She focused on the British and Irish context, highlighting that the TV piracy and copyright infringement in Ireland is the highest across Europe, mostly across digital platforms and among male users aged 18-24. She called all the filmmakers’ and creators' attention in the room by noting how "piracy devalues creative work, reduces appetite across festivals, reduces programming in cinema and restricts ability to raise funds for future film" especially for young and new people in the film industry.
Afterwards, Byrne was an emblematic example of a film creator that started in the industry with no connections but only hungry for success. Claire highlighted the struggle of getting her first 5 short films funded. She also stressed the importance of having a producer who has your back, as well as the sacrifices she made to have her first film ‘Ready or Not’ released. She emphasised the importance of participating in film festivals and networking to launch your ideas and get inspiration from other filmmakers as well.
Furthermore, I would like to highlight the active participation of Maynooth University students at the event. The Method Man from graduate Adam Cullen, featuring an interactive, original and humorous plot, singular locations and amazing camera movement techniques that alternated between dynamic, captivating and smooth movements to more complicated rank focus, was one of the short films selected and screened at this world-class event.
Lastly, the event concluded with heart-warming awards presentations, crowning My Baby, by Zelika Zupanic, for best narrative, Losing My Body, by Ziga Ciber, as best experimental & best overall, and Labyrinth, by Eva Peto, for best documentary.
DIFF allows filmmakers to launch their creations and spark useful conversations in an emotionally brilliant atmosphere. It also serves as a constructive and inspirational opportunity to meet other creators and learn tips and tricks from award-winning film directors.
Feeling inspired? Check out the DIFF website diff.ie and apply for next year's screening!
For more information on The Method Man go check Adam's LinkedIn at this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-cullen-330209282/.
