SURPRISE FILM

INFO: SAT 4 MAR / LIGHT HOUSE 1 / 17:00

In 1985, the late Michael Dwyer launched the first Dublin Film Festival. The inaugural festival had a diverse programme that continued such future classics as Heimat, Insignificance and The Official Version. Only after the programme had gone to press, did he and fellow founder Myles Dungan discover that they were one film short. With characteristic flair, Michael Dwyer turned this potential mishap into one of the most beloved slots in the festival; the Surprise Film.

In the 32 years since the first Surprise Film, the structure of the festival has changed only slightly. Each year, the Surprise Film is shown amid great speculation and no one – not even the projectionist – knows the film’s title until the first few frames on screen slowly reveal its true identity.

So, as usual, no clues for this year’s title but join the discussion on Twitter. Follow us @dublinfilmfest and tag your suggestions #DIFF2023Surprise