Irish Events in Washington, DC

Solas Nua is proud to present the annual Capital Irish Film Festival, in partnership with the American Film Institute, at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. Now in its 20th year, CIFF is one of the largest programs of Irish cinema in North America. The four-day festival brings the best of contemporary Irish cinema by filmmakers from the island of Ireland to audiences in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. As it marks two decades of presenting Irish film in Washington, D.C., CIFF continues to celebrate the rich contemporary culture, identities, and heritage from across the island of Ireland on screen. The four-day festival provides a US platform for emerging voices in Irish cinema, showcases the exceptional home-grown creative talent both on screen and behind the camera, and reflects the rapid expansion and success of the Irish screen industry internationally. As well as providing audiences with the opportunity to see a selection of the latest Irish films never before screened in the Washington metropolitan area, CIFF also gives attendees the chance to meet and greet the many visiting filmmakers and artists from Ireland after the screenings. This year’s program includes North American and East Coast premieres, debut features, VIP guests and dignitaries, Q&As, talkbacks and gala events, as well as special talent appearances. Festival passes are on sale now and individual tickets will go on sale Friday, January 30, 2026.