Louth International Film Festival

Louth International Film Festival (LIFF)

Awards include: Dearbhla Walsh Award for Best Director
Seamus McGarvey Award for Best Cinematography
Fred Dekker Award for Best Student Film
John Moore Award for Best in Louth

Ireland | Established 2019 | 7th Edition |September 25-27, 2026

The Louth International Film Festival (LIFF) is an internationally recognised film festival celebrating bold, distinctive, and socially engaged cinema from Ireland and around the world. Now in its seventh edition, LIFF has established a strong reputation for high quality curation, filmmaker care, education and professional presentation.

The festival takes place annually in County Louth, Ireland, in association with An Táin Arts Centre and Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT). It is run entirely on a voluntary basis by the directors and committee, with support from the Louth Filmmakers Society.

Location & Identity:

Located on Ireland’s east coast, County Louth has a rich artistic and storytelling heritage. LIFF brings contemporary global cinema to this unique cultural setting, championing investigative, thought provoking, and innovative filmmaking across fiction, documentary, and animation.

Patrons & Industry Guests:

LIFF is proud to be supported by internationally acclaimed patrons and industry guests, including:

Seamus McGarvey ASC, BSC, ISC – Academy Award–nominated cinematographer (Atonement, Anna Karenina, The Avengers)

John Moore – Hollywood director (Behind Enemy Lines, The Omen, A Good Day to Die Hard)

Dearbhla Walsh – Emmy Award–winning director (Fargo, Bad Sisters, The Handmaid’s Tale)

The festival has also welcomed high profile guests and speakers, including Oscar-nominated director Lenny Abrahamson (Room, Normal People), Aislinn Clarke, the Irish writer-director best known for the horror features The Devil’s Doorway and Fréwaka, and Luci Lenox, an internationally respected casting director and industry mentor, alongside other leading Irish and international filmmakers.

“When the local meets the international, great things happen.”
— Seamus McGarvey ASC, BSC, ISC

Jury & Awards:

Films are selected and judged by an international jury of respected industry professionals, including Fred Dekker (The Monster Squad, Night of the Creeps).

LIFF presents 12 competitive awards, including Best International Film, Best Feature and Short (Fiction & Documentary), Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Student Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Audience Choice. All awards are bespoke, handcrafted artworks by local artists.

Festival Experience:

LIFF is known for its exceptional filmmaker hospitality, engaged audiences, and meaningful Q&As. The festival attracts international and Irish filmmakers, industry professionals, students, and a strong local audience.

1,200+ attendees

300+ submissions annually

Approx. 70 films selected

Filmmakers regularly travel from Ireland, the UK, Europe, and North America to premiere work at LIFF, citing its curation, professionalism, and welcoming atmosphere.

Why Submit to LIFF:

Internationally recognised patrons and jury

High-profile industry guests and speakers

Carefully curated programme

Professional screenings at a major arts venue

Strong audience engagement and networking

Genuine filmmaker care and hospitality