The Bohemian
Environmental Justice
Film Festival
A Community Film Festival held at various spaces around DublinFebruary 5 - 7, 2026
Thursday, 5th February
Khartoum, 18:30
The Irish Film Institute
On opening night of BEFF 2026, we’re delighted to be back in the Irish Film Institute for the Dublin Premiere of Khartoum, a film made with, and led by, people whose lives have been torn apart by Sudan’s war.Khartoum follows five very different residents of the city - including a civil servant, a tea seller, a resistance committee volunteer, and two street kids - as they talk about work, family, dreams, and the push for change. Filming began before the fighting erupted in April 2023, and when war forced both the participants and filmmakers to flee, the team found a way to keep telling the story from exile.What you see on screen is not just interviews. The five participants help re-create key moments using simple sets, green-screen scenes, and animated “dream” sequences. That creative approach helps them show what happened, what it felt like, and what they still hope for, even after displacement.This is a film about real people refusing to be reduced to headlines and statistics. It’s clear-eyed, human, and hard to forget.
Friday, 6th February
Koyaanisqatsi, 19:00
The Spark Lab, Phibsborough Tower
In partnership with Saints & Scholars, BEFF presents Koyaanisqatsi - meaning 'life out of balance' in the Hopi language.The renowned documentary explores the complex and often uneasy relationship between humans, nature, and technology. Eschewing traditional narrative and dialogue, the film relies on stunning imagery and music to create an immersive experience.The screening will be followed by a panel discussion - more information coming soon.
Saturday, 7th February
The Spark Lab, Phibsborough Tower
Saturday brings a full day of films and activities. Enjoy a diverse lineup, ranging from short films and friendly-friendly screenings to the festival hub and the grand finale. Join the festival all day or get a ticket for a single event!
The Last Harvest & Sowing Seeds, 12.30
The Spark Lab, Phibsborough Tower
In partnership with Athrach, BEFF presents two short films.The Last Harvest looks 100 years into the future on a drastically changed planet. Ireland, now an archipelago, has become a lifeboat nation for many, facing an uncertain future where social structures have largely disappeared.Sowing Seeds is an accompanying documentary that explores the filmaking process and offers insight into the creation of The Last Harvest.The screenings will be followed by conversations with filmmakers Liv O'Donoghue and Aiobheann Doyle (Athrach) as well a panel discussion, From Storytelling to Movement Building with Sam Ahern, Elaine Walsh, and Daragh Goan.
Flow, 14.00
The Spark Lab, Phibsborough Tower
For a craft-and-family-friendly screening, we present Flow, a heart-warming, animated adventure film.Cat is a solitary animal whose home is devestated by a great flood. Seeking refuge on a boat with many species, Cat must work together with the other animals, despite their differences, as they navigate this new and upredictable world.The screening invites families and viewers to watch a film in a relaxed atmosphere where normal noise is welcome - bring your little ones or bring a craft to work on.Kids get in free!
Festival Hub, 16.30
The Spark Lab, Phibsborough Tower
The Festival Hub will run between 16.30 and 17.30 - drop by for a bit of craic before we kick off the finale.Come along, meet the community and enjoy music, jersey raffles, screen printing, face-painting, clothes swaps, refreshments, and more.Free - All Welcome
Evil Does Not Exist, 17.30
The Spark Lab, Phibsborough Tower
The festival concludes with Evil Does Not Exist, a Japanese drama film featuring a cast of non-professional actors.The film follows a single father, Takumi, and his young daughter in the quiet, rural Mizubiki Village.When Takumi and local residents become aware of a large real estate project, Takumi discovers that many locals are divided - some see an opportunity for growth while others are concerns for the consequences on the community and environment.The film brings to the surface issues communities frequently find themselves facing in Ireland around local planning conflicts, showing the strain these can place on community, and how we can better work together.
About BEFF
BEFF is built by people. It’s about building community around the issues that shape our lives and our future: justice, inequality, and the crises facing people and the planet. The festival is put on by the Bohemian Cooperatives, an initiative emerging from Bohemian Football Club, and it’s part of a bigger effort to help our communities not just understand what’s happening, but to find ways to act together. If that speaks to you, come lend a hand at the festival, we’d love to have you involved.