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  "description": "Paul Rowley’s powerful documentary Gays Against Guns has clinched the coveted Audience Award at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF), earning additional recognition with a special mention in the documentary category.\n\nThe film, which made waves with audiences throughout the festival, traces Rowley’s journey as an Irish activist who emigrated to the United States at a time when being gay was still criminalised at home. But the America he encountered was far from the ideal he had ",
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  "publishedAt": "2026-03-06T10:34:45.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.scenemag.co.uk",
  "textContent": "**Paul Rowley** ’s powerful documentary  _Gays Against Guns_ has clinched the coveted **Audience Award** at this year’s **Dublin International Film Festival**(DIFF), earning additional recognition with a special mention in the documentary category.\n\nThe film, which made waves with audiences throughout the festival, traces Rowley’s journey as an Irish activist who emigrated to the United States at a time when being gay was still criminalised at home. But the America he encountered was far from the ideal he had imagined. Through the lens of the **Gays Against Guns** activist movement, the documentary examines the country’s entrenched gun violence crisis and its impact on LGBTQ+ communities.\n\n _Gays Against Guns_ follows Rowley across a decade of advocacy, from the aftermath of the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre - a pivotal event that galvanised queer gun-reform activism - through years of protest, organising, and resistance. The film also features legendary filmmaker **John Waters** , adding further cultural weight to its portrait of community resilience and collective action.\n\nThis year’s DIFF wrapped on **1 March** following an expanded 11‑day programme showcasing Irish and international cinema, culminating in the world premiere of **John Carney** ’s  _Power Ballad_ , starring **Paul Rudd** and**Nick Jonas**. Festival organisers reported an 11% rise in admissions year-on-year, underscoring growing public engagement with the event.\n\nOther major honours included the **Irish Council for Civil Liberties** (ICCL) **Human Rights Film Award** , presented to**Felipe Bustos Sierr** a’s  _Everybody To Kenmure Street_ , and the Best Documentary Award, which went to**Rachel Fleit** ’s  _The Slightest Touch_. Meanwhile, **Fang Liang** ’s  _Water Can Go Anywhere_ took home the **Avolon World Cinema Award**.\n\nFestival director **Gráinne Humphreys** described 2026 as “an incredible year for DIFF”, highlighting its expanded international reach and the largest showing of Irish features to date. The festival now looks ahead to its milestone 25th anniversary edition in 2027.",
  "title": "Gays Against Guns clinches coveted Audience Award at Dublin International Film Festival",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-06T10:34:45.416Z"
}