Comedy kicks off Dublin film festival

THE NINTH Jameson Dublin International Film Festival began last night with a screening of Richard Ayoade's highly-praised comedy Submarine.

Mr Ayaode, best known for playing Maurice Moss in the sitcom The IT Crowd,was at the Savoy cinema to introduce the coming-of-age story.

"I came to Dublin once before, to do stand-up. I made sure to read [James Joyce's] Dublinerswhen I was here. I love to read books about a city when I'm actually there," he said.

Set in Wales, with songs by Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys, the film follows a budding intellectual fond of French film and weighty novels as he tries to overcome unpopularity and romance the prettiest girl in school.

Festival director Gráinne Humphreys said: "One of the most original voices in cinema to emerge in recent years, it's an honour to welcome Richard Ayoade and his talented cast of Submarineto Dublin for . . . this year's festival."

Ms Humphreys announced the shortlist for the Untitled screenwriting competition. Selected from 348 entries, the five shortlisted teams have been invited to write the opening scenes of their films during the festival and present their projects to a selection panel. The winners will get a development loan of €12,000.

The finalists are: Accidental Death & Dismembermentby Rob Cawley; Brave New Movieby Gavin Burke; Foundby Ailbhe Keogan and Michael Kelly; The Bogman Kingby Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman; and The Good Kindby Mark Cantan.

Running until February 27th, the festival will present more than 130 films and will welcome such guests as Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez and Harry Shearer. Highlights include As If I Am Not There, the feature debut by Irish director Juanita Wilson, and Unknown, a thriller starring Liam Neeson.

The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival runs until February 27th; jdiff.com