Drumshanbo County Leitrim, Ireland, hosts an annual literary festival bringing together some of Irelands finest writers and poets to celebrate the written word. As part of this we host an annual Poetry Film competition open to filmmakers and poets from everywhere. Each year we have an evening where we screen the shortlisted films as part of the festivals opening ceremony. Send your entries and come join us in this beautiful Lakelands town in August.

See all of 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 shortlisted films and winners at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsq9wIHZ1aLnOV8W9-i3huQ

The judge this year will be Csilla Toldy, Award winning poet and filmmaker from Rostrevor, Co.Down. Read more about Csilla at https://www.csillatoldy.co.uk

Awards & Prizes

First Prize €500 will be awarded to the best poetry film on Friday 21st August after the shortlist screening.

Rules & Terms

RULES:
Please apply via FilmFreeway by Tuesday 30th June 2026
The Poetry Film should be no longer than 10 minutes, and have been made since Jan 2024.
Max three films per competitor.
Poetry films in all languages are accepted but, if not in English or Irish, subtitles or captions in English should be provided.
Responsibility for copyright and third party authorisations lies with the creator.
Use of AI is discouraged for environmental and artistic reasons. However if you do use AI in any part of the film please identify this on credits. If not identified entry will be disqualified without refund.
6 Reviews
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  • l jo

    We enjoy your kind support and consideration. Our work being selected and commended by Drumshanbo Written Word Poetry Film Competition inspires us on our journey. Thank you for sharing with your audience and screening WATER. All the best to all of you!
    Thank you for keeping WATER flowing.
    Lars, Mariela, Elsye & Manuel

    November 2025
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  • Tawhida Tanya Evanson

    Thanks very much to the Drumshanbo Written Word Poetry Film Competition for selecting my short "Null Island" for in-theatre screening. Congrats to all those selected.

    September 2025
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  • Janet Lees

    This is an excellent festival, going from strength to strength. I was unable to attend, but kept in touch from afar and it was clear to see how much had gone into both the thoughtful curation of film poems and the event itself. Such an honour to have a film selected, thank you!

    August 2025
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  • Ceara Carney

    The team behind this festival were nothing short of extraordinary. I was lucky enough to be able to attend in person with a couple of other filmmakers and we were looked after so so well. I hope the local authorities come to know how valuable festivals like this are for bringing people together in remote parts of the country that otherwise might be overlooked on your travels. I'll definitely be back to Drumshanbo, and hopefully the festival as well!

    September 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Ceara

  • Patrick Gamble

    I wasn’t able to attend as I’m stuck down under but a great honour to have our short film/poem selected and part of the festival and even received an email from organisers on who won etc and other details on festival

    August 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Patrick