‘The Stag’ comedy to wrap Dublin’s JDIFF film festival

Luminaries of the film world including John Hurt, Brenda Fricker and ex-Beverly Hills 90210 star Jason Priestley are due in Dublin for the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF).

Irish comedy The Stag, starring Andrew Scott and Amy Huberman, is to receive its debut in the slot as the festival’s closing film.

Both actors will make appearances at the festival, as will Peter Morgan, who will give a screenwriting masterclass.

Dublin actor Scott, best known for his role in BBC’s hit drama Sherlock, where he played Holmes’s nemesis Moriarty, was present at Dublin’s Merrion Hotel at the unveiling of the full line-up for the festival and said it was exciting to branch into comedy for his role in The Stag.

“Comedies are often not seen as important as the more serious stuff,” he said. “This is very witty.”

Scott won a Bafta award for Best Supporting Actor in 2012 for his turn as Moriarty.

The Stag, directed by John Butler, is about a bachelor party in which a reluctant groom is dragged on a camping trip to the west of Ireland.

Meanwhile, Hollywood legend Richard Dreyfuss and filmmaker Terry Gilliam will also attend screenings of their films and hold public interviews at JDIFF.

Along with Morgan, the two will receive a Volta Award in recognition of their lifetime achievement in the industry.

Festival director Gráinne Humphreys said the 12th annual festival would showcase more than 135 films with more than 70 filmmakers available to the audiences for public interview between February 13th and 23rd.

Referring to movies Calvary and The Stag, Ms Humphreys said she was very proud of the “remarkable” Irish films at the opening and closing of the festival, “both of which demonstrate the Irish industry’s ability to produce quality films that can be positioned on the world stage”.

“We can actually make a film that will have audiences leaving with a smile on their face.”

Ms Humphreys encouraged the public to take chances on watching different types of films. “Go off the beaten track and take a risk,” she said.

“2014 is the one we’re going to be talking about for a while.”

On Valentine’s Day, a Friday, the festival will present a free demonstration on Hollywood-style special effects in partnership with F/X Ireland and the Stunt Actors Guild Ireland in Smithfield Square.

A photographic exhibition featuring iconic film images from photographer Susan Wood will be on display at City Assembly House from February 7th to 22nd and will include stills from Easy Rider and Modesty Blaise.