John Carney’s musical-comedy Power Ballad, starring Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd, will world premiere as the closing film of this year’s Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF), organizers said on Wednesday. And they highlighted that the two stars would be in attendance.
The film follows Rick (Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, who crosses paths with Danny (Jonas), a fading boyband star, during a gig. “Bonding over music and a late-night jam session, the two strike up an unlikely friendship,” reads a synopsis. “However, when Rick and Danny return to their respective worlds, they discover that this chance encounter will upend both their lives in very different ways.”
The Dublin fest described the movie as “a rousing, feel-good celebration of music, friendship, self-respect and the price of ambition” that promises to ensure “a memorable finale to this year’s Dublin International Film Festival.”
Said Carney: “I’m delighted to have our film, Power Ballad, close this year’s festival. It’s apt to go out, after so many great films, with a bang of music and fun. Who wouldn’t want to watch Paul Rudd throw Nick Jonas off a balcony? (Seriously, that happens in our movie.)”
Festival director Grainne Humphreys thanked distributor Lionsgate U.K., “the wonderful team at Treasure Entertainment” and director Carney for bringing the movie to Ireland. “It’s the perfect closing film for the 2026 festival, which features a record number of Irish features – the future of Irish cinema has never looked so bright.”
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