Join us in Dublin for St Brigid's weekend, to celebrate women who terrify, both on screen and behind the camera. As the winter comes to a close, this coven of creatives and connoisseurs will converge to celebrate the Celtic festival of Imbolg.

This two-day film festival focuses the lens on the rage, resilience, and creative work of women storytellers. The Imbolg Women Who Terrify Film Festival warmly welcomes the work and stories of cis women, trans women, gender-diverse, non-binary, and intersex creatives.

About Imbolg

The midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, Imbolg symbolises the return of life under the frost and the start of spring. Imbolg also marks the return of serpents from their winter dens, when Cailleach - the divine hag of Gaelic tradition - awoke to gather her firewood. This is marked by St Brigid, the goddess of fire, poetry, healing, fertility, and creativity.

Imbolg Women Who Terrify Film Festival peers beneath the surface to see what horrors have become re-animated after hibernation - in Ireland and in the world beyond.

The event features carefully curated programme of shorts, followed by a Q&A session, live talks, panels, and concludes with a feature screening.

This event is supported by Film Ireland and Griffith College's wonderful film department.

Griffith College

Founded in 1974, Griffith College is Ireland's largest independent third-level institution, with campuses in Dublin, Cork, and Limerick. Located just a mile from Dublin’s St. Stephen’s Green, the main campus blends historic charm with modern amenities. Recognised by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), Griffith offers internationally accredited degrees, professional courses, and corporate training to over 7,000 students. As it celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024, the College continues its legacy of academic excellence, producing graduates who excel in fields such as business, law, media, engineering, and the arts.

Film Ireland

Film Ireland is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved online film magazine and arts organisation supported by Coimisiún na Meán and Screen Ireland stakeholders’ funding. Established in 1987, Film Ireland began as a print magazine and has since expanded into a popular industry podcast and digital publication, covering and hosting industry events. The Film Ireland Podcast is the go-to industry resource in Ireland. From industry talks to panels and discussions, Film Ireland has hosted in-person events and screenings that spotlight a diverse range of voices and issues. Past speakers and interviewees include Phyllida Lloyd, Lenny Abrahamson, Ciaran Donnelly, M. Night Shyamalan, Paul Reiser, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky, Terence Davies, and many more. Subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts. Or read our news, reviews and updates at FilmIreland.ie.

[Images of 2026 Festival by Beta Bajgart & Ana Paula Sii]

Rules & Terms

Creators: The festival celebrates the work of women (cis and trans), as well as gender-diverse, non-binary, and intersex filmmakers. Collaborative projects are welcome as long as the lead creative(s) meet this criteria.

Genre: Submissions should fall broadly within the horror, dark fantasy, gothic or thriller spectrum, including works that explore the “monstrous feminine,” female rage, or unconventional storytelling.

Length: short films (up to 40 minutes) only are eligible.

Language: Films in any language are welcome; In fact, Irish is actively encouraged. However English subtitles must be provided if the primary language is not English.
Rights: Filmmakers must have all necessary rights cleared for music, footage, and other creative material.

Submission Materials: If selected you will be asked to provide a screening copy, synopsis, director’s bio, and optional press stills or artwork.

Form: Films can be experimental, animated, narrative, documentary, or hybrid forms, embracing any creative approach to storytelling. We welcome works that challenge conventions, play with form, or explore horror in innovative ways - whether through visual style, sound design, editing, or narrative structure.

Themes: Submissions should centre around feminist perspectives, highlight women’s and gender-diverse experiences, and explore these without exploiting or objectifying subjects. The festival encourages work that is thoughtful, provocative, and celebratory of women and gender-diverse creators.

Films can be made at any date; premiere status will not be considered in the selection process.

Please note that no screening fee will be paid.

By submitting your film, you confirm that you are the copyright holder or have obtained all necessary rights for the submitted work, including music, footage, and other creative material. You also grant the festival the following permissions:

- Screening Rights: You give the festival permission to publicly screen your film at the physical event(s).

- Promotional Use: You grant the festival the right to use short clips, still images, or artwork from your film for promotional purposes, including on social media, websites, press releases, and printed materials related to the festival.

Filmmakers whose films are selected will receive two complimentary tickets to the screening of their work.

Please note that, as a very small team, we are unfortunately not resourced to provide individual feedback on submissions.

4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sarah Lou Kinneen

    Thank you to all at Imbolg for a wonderful event! Incredible program of films. Well run , clear communication and beautiful space.

    February 2026
    Helpful
  • Vanessa gildea

    Thanks to Gemma, Sarah and all the team at Imbolg Film Festival. This is a great festival and brings something fresh and new to the festival circuit. It was a positive and empowering experience, thrilled to have my film selected and screened at Imbolg. Met some incredibly talented women and saw some brilliant films.

    February 2026
    Helpful
  • Marjo Viitala

    Dear Sarah, Gemma and Imbolg – Women Who Terrify Team,

    Thank you so much for your incredible hospitality and for organizing such a wonderful festival. Your warmth, enthusiasm, and professionalism made the experience truly special. The program was thoughtfully curated and absolutely inspiring — it was a pleasure to be part of it.

    I’m also deeply grateful for the opportunity to screen my short film and for the positive reception it received. It was an unforgettable experience.

    Thank you again for creating such an inviting and exciting space for filmmakers and audiences alike.

    Warm regards, Marjo

    February 2026
    Helpful
  • Margaret Kane-Rowe

    Super festival, brilliantly run by excellent female filmmakers, educators, and journalists who understand how challenging and rewarding filmmaking is, and are hugely supportive, friendly, and genuinely want filmmakers to connect and network. Enter your film!!

    February 2026
    Helpful