about ciff

founded in december 2004 by two dubliners and two washingtonians, solas nua began programming in the summer of 2005 with the smash hit disco pigs. since then we have grown to become the major irish cultural force of the nation’s capital with ongoing weekly events, over 35 irish artists visiting per season and visionary and groundbreaking programming. if you can visit ireland to experience the culture first hand we recommend the trip. if you can’t then come visit us – we’re the next best thing.

in 2005 solas nua produced its first annual irish film festival. it was called amharc eile and featured
the work of over 50 female directors working in irish cinema. we continued with themed festivals
in 2006 and 2007 before adopting the name of the capital irish film festival in 2008 so that we could embrace a larger percentage of filmmakers on a yearly basis.

although young, the capital irish film festival is the largest irish film festival in the united states
and shows more irish language films than any other american film festival.

the capital irish film festival is produced by solas nua (which means new light in irish), a 501(c)3
non-profit and the only contemporary irish arts organization in the united states. based in
washington, dc our mission is to bring the best new artistic talent from ireland to audiences in
america. we achieve this through unique programming which includes a full theatre season, visual
arts exhibitions, literary events including the dc irish writers festival, irish book day, and, of
course, the capital irish film festival.