Toronto Irish Film Festival
350 King Street West Toronto, ON, Canada

Dear friends, As the summer season of a very strange year begins, I've decided it's time to step away from TIRFF. I helped raise this little festival from a very simple concept, more than a decade ago, to a highly respected cultural event in Toronto. Without a shadow of a doubt, I underestimated how much time and energy that would take. I also underestimated how much pride I would feel showing Ireland, with all it's blessings and complications, on the big screen over the last... ten years. TIRFF has given me many gifts but none more significant than receiving the Belfast Ambassador Award from my beloved hometown in 2019. I doubt I will ever top that. I also got to re-witness my childhood and teenage years through amazing comedies, dramas, documentaries and short films from Northern Ireland. Whatever corner of Ireland you or your family are from, I sincerely hope you did too. I'm very proud of how the festival's branding and marketing evolved over the years. I'm delighted we inspired other Diaspora communities across Canada to start their own Irish film festivals. But, most importantly, I believe it is the programming that sits at the heart of the festival's success. I'll genuinely miss discovering new Irish films every year and the feeling that comes from knowing a Toronto-Irish audience would approve. However, I'm now turning my attention to different dreams. I leave the festival in John's reliable hands as he builds a COVID19-friendly version and I am truly excited to see TIRFF version 2.0 in all its glory. Thank to everyone who helped me along the way, a long list of amazing people, who also understood the importance of building an audience in Canada for Irish cinematic storytelling. Please find me on LinkedIn should you wish to stay connected. Be well, be safe everyone - Michael. See more

On this day, ten years ago, we launched the Toronto Irish Film Festival. Since that night, we've screened over 200 films for the Irish Diaspora in Ontario. We share this moment with our audiences over the years and thank you for every ticket purchased, every sold-out screening, every tweet/retweet/like/share and for proving there will always be a loyal home for Irish film in Canada. Share your favourite memories below!

Take a moment to watch Ireland by drone. Features rare footage of sunshine...

The story, a bestselling novel that became an Oscar-winning film, has found new resonance in the era of lockdowns, enclosure and home schooling.

The television adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel features beautiful shots of Sligo’s beaches and mountains, plus Trinity College Dublin, but there is also sex. Lots of sex.

Available now on Google Play ($4.99 HD rental), ORDINARY LOVE stars Liam Neeson and Leslie Mansville in career defining roles. Worth watching!

This beautiful short film, OCEANS APART, perfectly captures the #Irish spirit. Watch now via bit.ly/2xFdCeV.

If you missed SEA FEVER at Toronto Irish Film Festival 2020, you can now stream it for FREE on hoopla digital. Follow the link below...

You loved her in "A Date For Mad Mary" and "Dublin Old School". Don't miss Seána Kerslake reading just for you as part of the "Dublin: One City, One Book" which encourages people to read a book connected with the capital city.

To be fair, the likeness is uncanny...

Agree/Disagree? What's your favourite Irish film?

Paddy O'Leary returns to Ireland to run a self-navigated 115km route through the Wicklow Mountains in under 24hrs. Spectacular scenery and authentic Irish grit on full display. Inspiring!

This is lovely. Northern Ireland-born actor, Sam Neill, talks about his career(s), life and his recent self-isolation social media stardom. Worth every second!