It may not be Hollywood or Cannes but organisers are hoping it will be an event the public will remember.
The 14th Dublin Film Festival began its exhibition last night at the Virgin Cinema Complex in Parnell Street. The launch reception took place in Shooters Sports Cafe and Bar which is to be the festival's club, where audiences can socialise after cinema viewing.
The launching venue is part of an attempt by the festival organisers to re-establish the DFF as a social event and as such attract a greater audience.
At the launch, the programme director Ms Maretta Dillon said: "The cafe bar is next to Virgin Cinemas which means audiences can go for a cup of coffee or a drink and talk about what they've seen".
She said this would create a more convivial atmosphere "otherwise it's just a collection of films that doesn't mean anything". The festival's first screening was Cathal Black's Love and Rage starring Greta Scacchi and Daniel Craig.
Among the guests who attended the opening were John Boorman, award-winning director of The General, and actor John Hurt.
Additional screening of the films featured in the festival will be in the Irish Film Centre and UCI cineplexes. The festival continues until Saturday week.