The Hidden Tide Film Festival is a new national destination for bold, original storytelling. Hosted in a beautifully restored Art Deco Theatre & Cinema in the West of Ireland the festival offers a rare, atmospheric experience. We invite filmmakers from across the country and the international stage to join a rising wave of cinema. We provide a dedicated space where the industry’s best talent rises to the surface to meet an engaged, film-loving audience. From high-spec screenings to industry-led workshops, we foster an environment where filmmakers share their craft and audiences discover the next generation of cinema.

We are proud to recognise outstanding work with substantial cash prizes and professional awards. Please see the full list of categories and prize details below.

Our programme is designed for those who value the process of filmmaking as much as the final product. Hidden Tide bridges the gap between emerging voices and established professionals, providing a unique platform for high-level networking and peer-to-peer collaboration. By bringing together creators, industry guests, and a diverse festival audience, we offer an intimate setting that encourages meaningful conversation.
Whether you are a debut filmmaker or an established professional, Hidden Tide is built to elevate your vision, broaden your professional network, and connect your work with a sophisticated, film-loving audience.

Awards & Prizes

The Hidden Tide Film Festival awards are designed to celebrate the creators behind the work, regardless of where they are in their professional journey. We believe that bold storytelling deserves to be honored, whether it comes from an emerging filmmaker making their mark or an established professional pushing the boundaries of their craft.

Best Short Film €5 000 + Official Trophy
Best Documentary €2 000 + Official Trophy
Best Feature Film - Official Trophy
Best Director - Official Trophy
Best Screenplay - Official Trophy
Best Cinematography - Official Trophy
Special Mention - Official Trophy

Rules & Terms

1. Eligibility & Submissions
• Genre & Format: We accept all genres. Short films must be under 40 minutes. Feature films must be over 60 minutes.
• Completion Date: Films must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
• Premiere Status: We do not require strict premiere status, but priority may be given to films that have not yet been widely released online or screened extensively in the West of Ireland.
• Language: All non-English language films must have hardcoded English subtitles.

2. Judging & Selection
• All submissions will be viewed by our pre-selection committee. Finalists will be judged by an independent panel of industry professionals.
• The €5,000 Short Film Prize and €2,000 Documentary Prize will be awarded to the individual named as the submitter on FilmFreeway.
• The judges' decision is final.

3. Technical Requirements
• If selected, filmmakers will be asked to provide a DCP by the requested deadline. (If you have any technical questions or requirements, please email us)

4. Rights & Clearances
• By submitting, you confirm that you hold all necessary rights (including music clearances) for the film to be screened publicly.
• Additionally, you grant the Hidden Tide Film Festival the non-exclusive right to use excerpts, clips, stills, and press materials from your film for promotional purposes across social media, press, and our website ect.
• The festival will never use your film in its entirety for any purpose other than public screenings during the official event, nor will we sell or license your content to third parties.

5. Attendance & Logistics
• We strongly encourage all selected filmmakers to attend the festival in person to participate in Q&As and networking events.

6. Withdrawal
• Once a film is officially selected and the invitation is accepted, it cannot be withdrawn from the festival program. If the filmmaker wishes to withdraw before the official selection announcement, they must provide written notice at least 30 days prior to the event.

Code of Conduct: We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and professional environment for all participants. Any form of harassment or discriminatory behavior toward staff, volunteers, or other filmmakers will result in immediate disqualification and removal from the festival premises without refund or recourse.
We only accept finalized, release-ready versions of films. Works-in-progress, re-edits, and post-submission updates are not accepted under any circumstances.
The festival does not pay screening or other fees for submitted films.

If you have any questions regarding your submission or eligibility, please contact us at mariia@hawkswell.ie