First Cut Youth Film Festival is an annual event based in Youghal, County Cork in Ireland dedicated to showcasing new films by young filmmakers. It presents films in all genres by individual filmmakers, schools and youth groups as well as offering workshops and talks by film industry professionals.

This festival provides young filmmakers between the ages of 12 and 24 with a platform for screening their short films. It is committed to fostering the creative development of young filmmakers from every background and provides a broad range of programming from animation workshops and screenings for primary school students right up to events aimed at emerging filmmakers entering the film industry in their early twenties.

First Cut is youth centred, placing great emphasis on bringing young filmmakers together. It is a positive story centred around young people and their extraordinary creativity. Diversity and inclusion are core values for this festival. All events are free to ensure accessibility for the widest possible youth audience.

First Cut also boasts a divers and exciting online programme of International Shorts that reaches audiences worldwide.

The festival creates a space where young filmmakers can share their passion for making films with their peers. Whether working individually or as part of a school or youth group, panel discussions with participating filmmakers allow young audiences to take inspiration from the experiences of their contemporaries.

Awards & Prizes

First Cut Youth Film Festival Best Film
First Cut Youth Council Award
First Cut Youth Film Festival Best Director
First Cut Youth Film Festival Spotlight Award
First Cut Youth Film Festival Cork International Film Festival Award
First Cut Youth Film Festival Best Schools Film
First Cut Youth Film Festival Best Irish Language Film
First Cut Youth Film Festival Best Experimental Film
First Cut Youth Film Festival Best Animation
First Cut Youth Film Festival Best Documentary
First Cut Youth Film Festival Best International Film
First Cut Youth Film Festival Best Music Video

Rules & Terms

Entry is free.
Films entered must be no longer than 15 minutes.
To be eligible for entry, filmmakers must be between the ages of 12 and 24.
Films received after the closing date (5pm on Monday January 19th 2026) will not be eligible for selection.
There is no limit to the numbers of films you can submit but each entry must have its own entry form.
Although adults can assist in making the films, 12-24 year olds must have had significant creative input.
If a filmmaker submitting a film is under 18, an adult must sign the entry form.
The selection panel's decisions are final.
International entries are welcome but all non-English language films must have English subtitles.
First Cut reserves the right to use stills or clips of up to 30 seconds from submitted films for publicity purposes.
Ownership and copyright: By submitting the film, you acknowledge that you are sole author and owner of the film, or if you are not the sole author, you have secured all necessary and appropriate rights, written permissions and releases in connection with submitting the film. In particular, all music and other rights must be cleared for nonexclusive educational, online, broadcast and theatrical distribution.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Bahr Films Company

    Thanks to all of festival team from IRAN🩋

    May 2026
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  • Therese Dalton

    We love this festival and travel to it every year. There is always a lovely mix of talks, panel discussions and films from across the country. The team at First Cut has always made us feel very welcome. Youghal is also a gorgeous town to walk around with the sea at it's doorstep. We'd highly recommend this festival.

    March 2026
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  • George O'Mahony

    On Wednesday 4 March 2026 I attended the First Cut Youth Film Festival in Youghal to see my film ‘DEARG DÍREACH’ (Straight Red) screened as part of the Irish Language Open Call programme. The Mall Arts Centre was an ideal place to attend this event. The kind, supportive and hospitable staff made me enjoy my time at the clean and welcoming theatre even more. I was accompanied by four of my family members, who were put at ease by the accessible lift by the main entrance. I was one of seven solo entrants in the Open Call programme, and four primary school classes were also in attendance to have their AthrĂș AerĂĄide workshop projects shown. I think I can speak behalf of all of these young filmmakers when I express my gratitude for the spotlight given to us and our work by the First Cut Youth Film Festival.

    I would easily give a 5 star overall rating to this festival, is féile den chéad scoth í gan dabht. I hope to submit some of my work next year and experience the fantastic trip to Youghal that I had on 4 March once again.

    March 2026
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  • Rick Van Oss

    Really nice festival. I had a good energy with the people in charge!

    June 2025
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  • Vittorio Caratozzolo

    Thanks a lot for your consideration for our «Hamlet» in school version! It would probably have been nicer to attend in person, but that's not always possible. Hopely... next year!

    April 2025
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