We are open for submissions and we can't wait to see your short films and music videos. Our locations are Cineworld, the biggest cinema in Ireland and The Sugar Club, one of the best venue for events.
We are an independent festival dedicated to bring together established musicians and filmmakers in a forum to celebrate the short films. Dublin International Short Film and Music Festival celebrates the artistic, educational and historical importance of short films and music. It gives independent film artists a platform for sharing their work and creating a dialogue with the community. It promotes the discussion and study of filmmaking.
DISFMF is the largest independent short film festival in Ireland, and in 2023 we are celebrating the 12th anniversary.
In 2022 we selected 84 short films from 27 different countries and the festival has brought established, emerging and award-winning filmmakers to the public attention.
The festival took place at the Cineworld, the biggest cinema in Ireland and The Sugar Club for the awards ceremony night.
DISFMF is conducted from the independent film maker point of view. Director and producer from each film selected will benefit free entry to all the venues and screenings.
All kinds of short films are accepted. Here are some examples: Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Advertising, Animation, Art-house, Black Comedy, Children/Family, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Fantasy, Historical, Melodrama, Crime & Gangster, Biopics, Film-Noir, Road Films, Super-Heroes, Super-Natural, Mockumentary, Independent, Music Video, Musical, Reality, Religious, Romance, Science Fiction, Silent, Sport, Student, Thriller/Suspanse, TV, and more.

Awards & Prizes

o Best International Short Film
o Best Advertisement
o Best LGBTQ
o Best Music Video
o Best Horror
o Best Comedy
o Best Animation
o Best Sci-Fi
o Best Score/Music
o Best Student
o Best Irish Short
o Best Actor
o Best Actress
o Best Documentary

The actual awards are paintings made by very talented Dublin based artists and the value of each painting is priceless.

Rules & Terms

RULES AND REGULATIONS: You hereby grant the Dublin International Short Film and Music Festival all rights necessary to exhibit and promote the above-referenced film at the 2023 festival if the film is selected. You represent that such exhibition will not violate or infringe upon any rights whatsoever (including copyright, trademark, musical or contract right) of any person or entity. You further represent that you are authorised to submit the above-referenced film. Additionally, you indemnify the Festival from any and all claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, and attorney's fees arising out of or in connection with third parties in regard to the screening of the film mentioned above.
General Rules 2023
Festival Dates 6th-8th October 2023
Films that have been produced after 1 January 2017
Submission Fees: 25€ Early Bird to 40€ Late Deadline.
All kinds of short films are accepted. Here are some examples: Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Advertising, Animation, Art-house, Black Comedy, Children/Family, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Fantasy, Historical, Melodrama, Crime & Gangster, Biopics, Film-Noir, Road Films, Super-Heroes, Super-Natural, Mockumentary, Independent, Music Video, Musical, Reality, Religious, Romance, Science Fiction, Silent, Sport, Student, Thriller/Suspanse, TV, and more.
Projects may originate anywhere in the world, but either the dialogue OR the subtitles must be in English, with burned in subtitles if the film is selected.
No premiere requirements.
All filmmakers pay the same entry fee. No student discounts or waivers. All entry fees are non-refundable.
We will accept films of nearly every type and style, such as music videos, documentaries, horror, comedy, sci-fi, etc , with the following restrictions: No unfinished, in-progress, or rough cut projects will be accepted by our judges.
We will accept ONE VERSION of your entry only. We will NOT accept "updated" cuts such as "new sound mix", "new effects added", etc.
Entries must be received by 1 September 2023
Entries should not exceed 35 minutes in duration excluding titles provided the titles don't last for more than 1 extra minute.
I agree that DISFMF can do up to 2 screening during the festival.
The Festival may use excerpts from competition films (up to 10% of the length of the film, but no more than two minutes) to promote the Festival on television, all social media such facebook, instagram etc, and the Internet.
The number of entries by one author is not limited.
Films that promote violence, race, and religion or gender discrimination or contain explicit drug advertisement are barred from the Festival Programme.
A film that has been applied cannot be withdrawn from the festival, unless the festival management decides otherwise.

Screening copy: MP4 or MOV in h264 codec.

ENTERING A FILM IN THIS FESTIVAL IMPLIES THE ACCEPTANCE OF THESE REGULATIONS!
202 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • André Parra

    It is lovely to have had my short film at the festival, the organizers are very friendly and supportive, and I was honored to have been nominated for an award. Thank you!

    November 2022
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  • Michael Reid

    A really brilliant festival. Well-organised, responsive, and thoroughly welcoming to all festival-goers. It was a real honour to have my film show at this festival and will continue to enter my work into this festival. Well done to everyone involved!

    November 2022
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  • Kamila Dydyna

    Even though I wasn't able to attend the festival in person due to family commitments, my experience as a filmmaker in all interactions with Florian & the festival team were just fantastic. The team is well-organised and responsive, as well as welcoming and professional. I was delighted my film Debutante was invited to the festival and received a Best Irish Short nomination! One of the film's leading actors and our Director of Photography attended the screening and both spoke really well of the experience. Thank you again to the DISFMF team!

    November 2022
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  • Peadar O Briain

    Great film festival. Got to see some quality films and hear from their makers in a Q&A after. Very well organised and Florian and the crew were so welcoming. Thanks again.

    October 2022
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  • Aleksander Szeser

    I had a pleasure to attend the DISFMF for a number of years now and it’s still one of the greatest experiences for everyone who loves short films, both as filmmakers and moviegoers. Keep up the great work!

    October 2022
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