The Audi Dublin International Film Festival announced important new recruits to both its board and executive today as well as a move to new offices in The Digital Hub, Dublin 8. Renowned Irish actor and writer Mark O’Halloran and leading film publicist and communications professional Suzanne Noble bring an extraordinary range of expertise to the Board of Directors. The key executive role of Managing Director will be filled by Sarah Sharkey, drawing on two decades of experience in senior roles in the film, finance and advertising industries.
I’m delighted to be welcoming such highly regarded professionals to the Festival’s Board. Both Suzanne Noble and Mark O’Halloran bring creative vision and vast experience within the international film industry to the board. I’m also thrilled that we were able to find someone of the calibre of Sarah Sharkey as Managing Director to work with Gráinne Humphreys, the Festival Director on delivering this world-class international film festival. Sarah has done tremendous work for the festival as Sponsorship Manager and brings significant senior experience from both the cultural and corporate world.
Gaby Smyth, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ADIFF
The Audi Dublin International Film Festival is an important part of the international festival calendar and its commitment to Irish film and Irish audiences is inspiring. I’m delighted to be working with such a talented team and with our title sponsor Audi Ireland. New technology means that the nature of storytelling is changing and Audi reflects the passion and innovation that is driving the next generation of filmmakers.
Sarah Sharkey, incoming Managing Director
I am delighted to be joining the ADIFF board. ADIFF is a vital part of the city’s cultural infrastructure and being asked to serve on the board is a real honour.
Mark O’Halloran
I am honoured to join the board of ADIFF, a Festival I have long supported, admired and enjoyed, with Gráinne Humphrey’s inspiring leadership and collaboration as Festival Director. I hope I can enhance the already formidable reputation ADIFF enjoys, bringing the very best of International Film and Talent to Dublin across a vibrant and exciting annual programme.
Suzanne Noble
The Audi Dublin International Film Festival is set to return from 22nd Feb-4th March 2018 and submissions for shorts, features and documentaries are now open. The much-coveted Festival season tickets are already on sale at www.diff.ie at early bird prices! Getting your hands on one of these gold-dust passes are the only way to guarantee your entry to the full Festival line-up, including all galas and guest events. Gift vouchers are also available online now – the perfect gift for the film lover who has everything!
Sarah Sharkey began her career at Opera Theatre Company before moving to McConnells Advertising and spent a decade working at various agencies, most recently at the DDFH&B Group as an Account Director on the Vodafone account. In 2007 she joined Ulster Bank as Marketing Communications Manager where she oversaw the communications programme for the merger of First Active and Ulster Bank and was part of the team that created the new brand platform Help For What Matters. After 4 years in finance, Sarah made the move to Warner Bros. Pictures as Media Manager where her passion for film informed media strategies for blockbuster franchises, genre films, small-scale productions and family pictures. Sarah Sharkey joined the Festival team in July 2016. In her role as Sponsorship Manager, she was responsible for developing and implementing the festival sponsorship strategy and managing relationships with key partners across the industry.
Mark O‘Halloran is a writer and actor from Co. Clare, Ireland. On screen, he has appeared in numerous films, most notably as one of the eponymous heroes in Adam & Paul for which he also wrote the screenplay and the lead role of MP in History’s Future directed by Fiona Tan for which he was nominated as Best Actor at IFTA awards 2017. He also appears in The Guard, Viva and Calvary. Mark‘s screenwriting credits include the multi-award-winning film Garage, Viva and the television series Prosperity. As an actor, he has worked with all the major theatre companies in Ireland, most recently in the acclaimed production of The Importance of Nothing with Pan Pan Theatre and The Shadow of a Gunman with The Abbey Theatre Dublin.
Suzanne Noble has been the Head of UK Publicity and Corporate Communications at STUDIOCANAL in London since 2009 spearheading strategic campaigns for titles such as Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Four Lions, Rush, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, Legend, Paddington, and Shaun the Sheep The Movie. Previously VP International Publicity at The Weinstein Company and Head of Publicity for Icon with 20 years of industry experience.
The Dublin International Film Festival is sponsored by Audi, its principal funder is the Arts Council and it is also in receipt of funding from official industry partner, the Irish Film Board. Key partners and funders include The Merrion Hotel, Dublin City Council and Fáilte Ireland. Its online food ordering partner is Just Eat.