***Submission are now open for Dublin International Film Festival 2025!***
Full rules for short films, documentary and feature films below, please read carefully before submitting.
Taking place every spring, the Dublin International Film Festival is one of the most iconic events in Ireland’s cultural calendar. Each Festival offers an enticing mix of public and industry events, In Conversations, and playful and powerful cinema from around the world, including a growing programme of short films. The shorts selection will be curated thematically into programs of approximately 90 – 120 minutes in duration, which aim to bring together a diverse cross-section of contemporary cinema.
From hidden gems to red-carpet spectaculars attended by directors and special guests, every Festival is a celebration of cinematic excellence in all its forms. The DIFF Awards recognise outstanding achievements in documentaries, features and shorts, while the Dublin Film Critics’ Circle Awards distribute accolades from Ireland’s professional film critics, and the Audience Award gives festivalgoers a chance to vote for their favourite features and shorts.
The Festival’s most prestigious accolade is the Volta. Named after Ireland’s first dedicated cinema, the Voltas are awarded each year to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the world of film. Previous recipients have included iconic figures such as Steve McQueen and Isabelle Huppert in 2024, through to Al Pacino, Julie Andrews, Ennio Morricone, Daniel Day-Lewis, Claudia Cardinale, Martin Sheen, Kristin Scott Thomas, Brendan Gleeson, Terry Gilliam, Angela Lansbury and Adam McKay.
Many of these iconic names join us in helping to nurture the next generation of talent; every year DIFF invites a wealth of leading industry professionals to run workshops, give talks, and offer inspirational advice. Over the years we’ve welcomed leading lights from every area of filmmaking, including writers and directors (and quite a few writer-directors), composers, producers and casting agents.
--
Dublin International Film Festival's Commitment to Greater Diversity:
Dublin International Film Festival aims to be an inclusive and diverse organisation that promotes and delivers equality of opportunity regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation across all its activities, from programming and audience development to employment policies.
As part of Dublin International Film Festival's mission to employ greater diversity in its programming, we welcome submissions from filmmakers of all cultural backgrounds and marginalised voices, as well as seeking greater parity and a 50/50 gender-balance. Please make us aware any diversity in your project (above and below the line) when submitting your film.
The Festival is not complacent about its progress to date, and recognises that there is more work to be done to achieve diversity in all of its activities.
