About Us

Joanne O’Hagan - CEO

Having worked in film and television since leaving university in the early ‘90’s, Joanne joined the festival in 2007, although she was a keen audience member since the festival started in 2003. “Traditionally it was the best time of year for me to go and see loads of brilliant films in a short space of time as you never got the opportunity to watch as many when you were working on a production.”

Joanne’s favourite film is Dangerous Liaisons, although she states this is closely followed by Dodgeball, Blade Runner, La Reine Margot and Le Grand Blue… “It’s impossible to choose one!”

She is looking forward to her third JDIFF, and wants to encourage all film lovers to come and support the festival.

Grainne Humphreys - Festival Director

While at college, my first programming gig was running the UCD Film Society and in 1993, I set up the inaugural session of the Irish Student Film Initiative, the national student film festival.  My first job after college was programming the Junior Dublin Film Festival in 1994.

From 1995 – 2006, I worked in a series of roles in the Irish Film Institute: as Education Officer, I devised and presented a year-long schedule of films for students and teachers at both primary and secondary levels.

As Assistant Director, I was responsible for the cultural programming of the IFI.  Highlights include Harold Pinter Film Season in 1997, the first major retrospective of the films of Andy Warhol in 1998, the Agnes V par IFC, a retrospective of the work of Agnes Varda in December 2000.  I was Artistic Director of Stranger Than Fiction Documentary Festival and Market (2001 -2006) and CineFrance; the annual Festival of French Cinema (2001-2006). In 2002, I co-edited the Ireland into Film, a series of publications on a number of key Irish films focusing on the transition Irish literary texts to cinematic texts.  I have also worked as a researcher on a number of film projects, including the documentary Irish Cinema: Ourselves Alone? and the 6 part television series Leading Hollywood.  I also regularly review film on a number of radio programmes.

I joined the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival in January 2007 and 2010 will be my third year as Festival Director.

Favourite Film: My favourite film changes all the time; but amongst those I watch again and again are My Man Godfrey, Tokyo Story, Bonnie and Clyde, When Harry Met Sally, In the Mood for Love and most recently Hidden.

Festival Highlight:I have so many highlights but my two favourite moments happened at DIFF 2008, the excitement of launching the Festival with In Bruges and the superb public interview with Daniel Day Lewis after the festival screening of There Will Be Blood.  Unforgettable.

Sarah Smyth - Development & Marketing Manager

Sarah started working with JDIFF in 2006 and has worked in practically every aspect of the festival over the past four years. Sarah looks after JDIFF partners and supporters as well as creating a buzz about the festival in the marketing part of her role. One of the greatest things about working for JDIFF is watching all those well laid complex plans come together to create an incredible event each year.

Sarah is particularily excited about the Out of the Past Season this year which features two of her all time favourite films Vampyr and Les Yeux sans Visage.

Emily Gotto - Office Manager

Following a degree in sociology and French from U.C.D. and on returning from a southern hemisphere adventure I have worked across the board in various marketing and administration roles for film and the arts in Ireland. For The Corona Cork film Festival, The Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival, The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival and Blinder Film Productions. I can t name a favourite film because that is a ridiculously impossible task…there are too many.

Donna Eperon - Production Manager

Donna is one of Ireland’s most succesfull and charismatic film and tv producers. Throughout her 15 years in the business, she has quickly climbed from a nobody to a somebody in the Irish Film industry. Working with JDIFF adds another feather to her already heavily feathered cap.

Liam Ryan - Volunteers Manager

To many, Liam Ryan is kind of a big deal. He has many leather-bound books and his house smells of rich mahogany. When not trapped in a glass cage of emotion, or solving crimes he is charged with managing the festival Volunteer department, to which he brings to bear his pure awesomeness. True Story.

Andy Beecroft - Print Co-ordinator

Prior to getting the festival bug I worked as freelance A.D in television. I have been involved in festivals since 2006, and these days I seem to hop from one festival to another, living out of a suitcase for a few months at a time. I also work Edinburgh International Film Festival and Sheffield Doc/Fest as Print Transport Coordinator and Film Programme Coordinator This is my first JDIFF.

Jenny Sharif - Publicist

Jenny has been working with the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival since 2008, and loves decamping to the festival offices from her base in Kate Bowe PR every January and February. Since moving to Ireland over 6 years ago, Jenny has represented some of Ireland’s leading arts and entertainment organisations, from critically acclaimed theatre and award winning films, to groundbreaking festivals across the country.

Frances O’Reilly - Events Production Co-ordinator

Frances O’Reilly - Friend to the Stars- is very much looking forward to reuniting with her famous friends on the red carpet at this years JDIFF. Not only has Frances spent the last 12 years in the company of some of the worlds greatest acting talents, but she is Ireland’s leading star in Horse Show Jumping. Frances hopes to one day soon combine her expertise in horse riding and amazing on screen skills, with a re-make of the movie adapation of the Jilly Cooper novel “Riders”.

Serena Joyce - Press Officer

Serena is the Press Officer for JDIFF and this is her first year as a part of the festival team. She is a recent graduate of the MA in Public Relations in DIT and has had an interest in film and theartre from a young age. It was on completing an internship with Kate Bowe PR that she was introduced to JDIFF and she assists Jenny in everything publicity related.

Kamil Chechlacz - Festival Ticketing Manager

Kamil Chechlacz –  has been a theatre and film fanatic since the early days, he both performed and directed various shows, having a fantastic experience and great craic. Ireland opened its doors to him nearly 7 years ago and welcomed with vast opportunities for self-development as well as proved to be this unique place in the world, where one can immerse into doing things that they love and have great fun and a good pint of Guinness.

Kamil has extensive experience in working in both entertainment and ticketing industry, as well he produced and marketed various shows and festivals. He is a Director of Stargaze* Productions, working in cooperation with D-Light Studios – Dublin’s most creative and edgy space. Kamil is also working as a consultant for both ticketing companies and art organizations.

This is Kamil’s first JDIFF, and he is really excited about the whole programme, and wants everybody to enjoy the festival!

Andrea Healy - Assistant Ticketing Manager

Andrea has been involved with JDIFF since 2004 when she started out as a volunteer in the head office and has stayed on. She became part of the box office team in 2008 flying home from The Netherlands especially for the festival. Andrea has worked for many other festivals including Absolut Dublin Fringe, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Hilversum Alive in The Netherlands.Andrea enjoys travelling and meeting new people. She has a big passion for film and music and enjoys being involved in festivals.Andrea is looking forward to a new challenge and excited about the festival ahead.

Miriam McLoughlin - Festival Accounts Manager

Miriam is part of the furniture at JDIFF – this will be festival number 8 for her as part of the team since the inaugural JDIFF in 2003. Returning from Brussels in the late 1990’s, where she worked as EAVE’s Programme Coordinator for several years, she bizarrely ended up working in accounts (despite her BA in Drama & French) and worked her way through several film & television projects as an Assistant Accountant from 2000-2006.

Despite three children in the last four years, including her festival baby of February 2006, her enthusiasm for the festival has not waned and she still looks forward to every February and her favourite JDIFF event… the surprise film.

Rory Bonass - Programming Assistant

Rory Bonass is programming assistant and lead blogger. As an out and out geek, he cannot remember a thought he has had that hasn’t been easier to express via a film reference. As such, it’s like some form of fevered dream for him to be writing a film festivals blog and so closely assisting a festival’s director. He’s a final year Journalism student in Dublin City University and really should start doing his thesis, but he’s having a bit too much fun.

Aideen Darcy - Guest Manager

In one of her former lives Aideen was a land surveyor. She founded thisisnotashop in 2006 programming experimental film, installation, performance and visual art.

Aideen is an optimist. Her hobbies include taking film-makers to dinner and chatting.

Kevin O’Farrell - Marketing Assistant

Kevin O’Farrell is the currently the Marketing Assistant of JDIFF 2010 while on a college internship from IADT. He is 22 years old and is beginning his final year in Business Studies and Arts Management in September. Kevin is most looking forward to ‘Between the Canals’ at this years film festival. His favourite scene from any film ever is in ‘Big’ when Tom Hanks has a go of the giant piano.

Aisling Kennan - Production Assistant

Aisling is a 3rd year student of Business and Arts Management in IADT Dun Laoghaire. She is currently on work placement with JDIFF as a production intern. The film she is most looking forward to seeing during the festival is the Korean film Breathless.

Derek O’Connor - Publications Editor

Derek O’Connor is the former Programme Director of the Darklight Festival, the scriptwriter of TV3 movie show Popcorn and the co-creator of award-winning blog Blogorrah. He is one half of the filmmaking duo Doris/Magee and just penned an episode of BBC kids show Roy. He loves the movies.