This October Bank Holiday Weekend (22nd - 25th) we celebrate the 25th annual Clones Film Festival, up here in the hills of County Monaghan, Ireland.

A highlight of our festival weekend is our competition of short fiction, short documentary, and short animation. During the Sunday (25th October) morning/afternoon we screen all of the selected short films in Clones Courthouse. After the judging, the winners of each category are announced at our closing event, to a full house, in Clones Courthouse.

Awards & Prizes

The winner in each category will go home with a much sought after "Francie" Award. The Francie Awards are named after Clones Author, Patrick McCabe's, character, Francie Brady, from his much acclaimed novel, The Butcher Boy. The book was then adapted to a Neil Jordan screenplay and filmed in Clones in 1997.

All those selected for screening at Clones Film Festival will receive 2 free tickets for our closing awards ceremony where you could lift a Francie if you are picked as the overall winner by the judges.

Rules & Terms

A maximum length of 20 minutes for short submissions

To submit a short film for competition, please use FilmFreeway.

We will also require a few stills from your short film, together with your submission fee of €20 (or €10 if you're a student)

By submitting your short film, you agree to:
- Grant Clones Film Festival permission to publicly exhibit the entered film at Clones Film Festival and associated events.
- Grant Clones Film Festival permission to exhibit the entered film online should a global pandemic force Clones Film Festival online.
- Warrant that the film does not infringe any third party rights including but not limited to copyright.
- Warrant that you obtained required clearances for all musical compositions, recordings, and other copyright material that is included in the film.
- Warrant that you have obtained all necessary permissions and consents (including moral consents) from all contributors to the film.
- Warrant that you have the full right and authority to grant the rights listed above to Clones Film Festival.
- To indemnify Clones Film Festival against all actions, claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses that may be made or brought against Clones Film Festival as a result of any breach by the producer of its warranties above.
- To allow Clones Film Festival to use your short film in advertising the festival and any associated events, either on-screen or social media.

If you have any queries, please contact info@clonesfilmfestival.com

12 Reviews
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  • Jonny Hanson

    A great wee film festival in my home county. Creative, hospitable and fun, with the best afterparty! Puts Clones on the map for all the right reasons.

    January 2026
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  • CONOR O MAHONY

    Thank you so much for screening The Mood Swings in your festival. It is great to get such support for a documentary on the stigma assiciated with mental health issues. Sorry I couldn't make it along as it looked like a fascinating programme of films.

    November 2025
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  • Melle Windig

    Thank you for hosting our student short stop motion film Cell Buddies and giving us the opportunity to share it with your audience!

    November 2025
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  • Declan Boyle

    Unfortunately I couldn't make it to the festival but everyone involved was very helpful and accommodating. From the reviews and photos of the night it looked great. Hope to make it to the next one.

    November 2024
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  • Donal O'Dea

    Lovely Atmosphere and great craic on the awards night. One of Ireland's best

    November 2023
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