Placing Irish hip hop and R&B on the international stage, Playback x VMDIFF: Irish Hip Hop & R&B is a dynamic programme of some of the best contemporary hip hop music videos in Ireland today, curated by producer Michael Donnelly V and musician Erica Cody.

Premiering at Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival, Playback will travel to 8 festivals and arts centres across the US and the world including Paris, Berlin, New York, Moscow, Mumbai and Ottawa, with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“Playback x VMDIFF aspires to showcase the wealth of talent in contemporary Irish music videos production while also celebrating the dynamic and complimentary relationships between musicians and filmmakers”, said Festival Director Grainne Humphreys. “Playback x VMDIFF is a superb showcase of recent work and its impossible to watch the resulting film without a rush of pride and optimism about the future of filmmaking and the arts in Ireland.”

“Since its inception the project has grown and expanded in unimaginable ways thanks to the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs in particular Eugene Downes, Kelly O’Connor and Nik Quaife. It is a great source of personal  excitement to launch it at the festival and then onwards on its global journey via our international partners around the world.”

Playback presents 12 music videos alongside specially-recorded interviews with the featured film directors and music artists. This project showcases the vibrant, energetic creativity of the talents involved and gives them a platform to discuss their process, style and collaborations.

Featuring standout artists Mango X Mathman, Denise Chaila, For Those I Love, BiigPiig, Kojaque, James Vincent McMorrow, Tolü Makay, Loah & Bantum, Gemma Dunleavy, Jafaris, God Knows and Rejjie Snow, SnohAalegra& Cam O’Bi, the programme showcases how they worked with the directors to bring the vision of their songs to life.

Over the past 17 years, the Dublin International Film Festival has screened over 1600 international films from over 52 countries as well as showcasing the work of Ireland’s very talented producers, directors, screenwriters and actors. The Festival has hosted over 600 major guests, including Al Pacino, Angela Lansbury, Brendan Gleeson, Daniel Day-Lewis, Danny DeVito, Ennio Morricone, Joss Whedon, Julie Andrews, Kristin Scott Thomas, Stanley Tucci, and Stellan Skarsgård.

The Dublin International Film Festival is sponsored by Virgin Media, with principal funding from The Arts Council. Key partners and funders include Screen Ireland, Discovery Sponsors Aer Lingus, hotel partner The Merrion Hotel, media partners The Journal.ie and 98fm, print transport partner Wells Cargo, post-production partner Outer Limits and OOH partner Wide Eye Media. 

Watch the promo video here: 

https://vimeo.com/515917436/438f6b7d7d

Here’s the link to where it can be seen in India until midnight on Sunday 14 March:

https://watch.eventive.org/isa_mumbai/play/603cc1823858b8004c492c37 

Videos featured:

MEMORIES – Artist: Mango X Mathman (Feat. Irena Drezi) / Director: Keith Pendred

DUEL CITIZENSHIP –Artist: Denise Chaila / Director: Steve Sheehy

TOP SCHEME – Artist: For Those I Love / Director: David Balfe

DON’T TURN AROUND – Artist: BiigPiig / Director: Bedroom

SCHMELLY – Artist: Kojaque / Director: Sam McGrath and Kojaque

GONE – Artist: James Vincent McMorrow / Director: Gar O Rourke

WILD THANG – Artist: TolüMakay / Director: Georgia Kelly

APRIL BRAVE: Artist: Loah&Bantum / Director: Ellius Grace

UP DE FLATS: Artist: Gemma Dunleavy / Director: Rosie Barrett

IF YOU LOVE ME: Artist: Jafaris / Director: Nathan Barlow & Cian Hamilton

WHO’S ASKING? (EASTCOAST ALLSTARS REMIX) – Artist: God Knows (Feat. Skripteh, Nealo, Mango, Rebel P / Director: Dave Tynan

MIRRORS: Artist: Rejjie Snow, SnohAalegra& Cam O’Bi / Director: Machine Operated

TOURING VENUES will include:

Chicago IFF, Chicago

Irish Arts Center, New York

India, Mumbai

Capital IFF (DC), Washington DC

Irish Film London, London

LA Consulate/ISA, LA

Atlanta, Georgia