Our CIFF Selects pick this month is the 2026 Oscar® and BAFTA-winning documentary, Mr. Nobody Against Putin, which screens on Wednesday 27 May at GATE Screen at the Arc Cinema. A remarkable and unmissable film, we recommend booking early as seating is limited.
To mark Europe Day on 9 May, EUNIC presents a special free programme of European short films available to stream nationwide. Meanwhile, Irish filmmaking talent is taking centre stage internationally at the Zones Portuaires Film Festival in France this week, where a selection of CIFF-curated award-winning shorts will be showcased.
For more details on these, plus opportunities at CIFF, read on below.
CIFF Selects: Mr. Nobody Against Putin
WED 27 MAY | GATE SCREEN AT THE ARC CINEMA | 18:00
David Borenstein | Denmark, Czech Republic, Germany | 2025 | 90 mins | Subtitled | Documentary
Fresh from its win at both the 2026 Academy Awards® and BAFTA Awards, join us at GATE Screen at the Arc Cinema for Mr. Nobody Against Putin, a powerful and courageous documentary about societies succumbing to war fever.
As Russia launches its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, primary schools across Russia’s hinterlands are transformed into recruitment stages for the war. Facing the ethical dilemma of working in a system defined by propaganda and violence, a brave teacher goes undercover to film what’s really happening in his own school.
“…a must-watch, indelible document of ideological warfare that echoes far beyond Russia.” The Guardian
Mr. Nobody Against Putin will be introduced by a CIFF Programmer and audiences are invited to stay afterwards for a hosted Cine Club discussion.
Forthcoming Screenings:
Wed 27 May, 6pm – Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Wed 24 June, 6pm – We Believe You
Enjoy the May and June CIFF Selects films for just €20.
Regular Submissions Deadline
Each year, filmmakers from across the globe bring their work to Cork for Ireland’s first and largest film festival, which celebrates its 71st edition this November. Submissions are now open for CIFF2026, and the Regular Deadline is fast approaching on Friday 29 May.
“The Cork audiences are wonderful and the Q&As are always lively and memorable. It’s a hugely important and very special film festival.” Frank Berry, filmmaker and screenwriter
Regular Submissions Deadline: Friday 29 May
Join the CIFF Board
Cork International Film Festival (CIFF) is welcoming expressions of interest to join its Board as a Director (Trustee) in 2026. CIFF is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Board members are Trustees of the charity, and are responsible for the governance of the organisation. Their primary duties focus on strategic planning, financial oversight and policy development. As a governance board, directors are not involved in programming or operational matters, which are delegated to the Executive.
Why Join Our Board?
- CIFF is a registered charity and non-profit organisation that seeks the skills and experience of a diverse volunteer Board to support the delivery of its ambitions
- You will have a varied and interesting engagement with a leading arts & cultural organisation
- You will have opportunities to experience and participate in the Festival first-hand
- You will play a part in celebrating and developing Ireland’s oldest and largest film festival which will deliver its 71st edition in November 2026
Closing date for applications: 5pm, Friday, 29 May 2026.
Europe Day: EUNIC Short Shorts
To mark Europe Day on Saturday 9 May, the EUNIC Ireland Network (European Union National Institutes for Culture) invites you to enjoy a free online screening of its 2025 Short Shorts from Europe programme showcasing the richness and diversity of contemporary European cinema.
Action, comedy, animation, doc, fiction: expect this and more from Short Shorts from Europe Film Festival, a vibrant selection of 10 short films from EUNIC Ireland member countries. Showcasing a wide range of genres and perspectives from today’s European filmmakers, the programme features shorts from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Poland, and Ireland.
Irish Shorts at Zones Portuaires Film Festival
The Zones Portuaires Film Festival (5 – 10 May) is based in Saint-Nazaire on the West coast of France – west of Nantes – and screens films in various towns of the area, all coastal. It highlights a different country every year that also has immediate proximity to the sea, in common with them.
Ireland is their country in focus for 2026 and they have put together a beautiful ensemble of the best Irish films, both contemporary and repertory.
CIFF Director of Programme Aurélie Godet has curated a programme of our 70th edition’s award-winning short films which will screen at the festival, showcasing the vibrancy and strength of Irish short filmmaking talent.
“Ireland is where some of the most talented young filmmakers come from, their works are incredibly varied in form and subject. We’re delighted to take an active part in the effort to make the wider world aware of this ebullient creativity.” Aurélie Godet.
The Irish shorts programme comprises (images clockwise from top left):
- Culchie (which will be presented by director Richard Lennon), winner of 2025 CIFF Best Cork Short Award;
- Aisling Byrne’s Mary is Missing, winner of 2025 Grand Prix Irish Short Award;
- Ross McClean’s No Mean City; winner of 2025 Best Director: Irish Short;
- Róisín Burns’ Wonderwall, winner of 2025 Grand Prix International Short Award.
