By submitting to the Irish Online Film Festival, you are agreeing to a possible online and/or physical screening of your work. The festival organisers will discuss this in more detail nearer to the event. Refunds will not be issued if you do not wish to screen your film online.
All submissions can be made through FilmFreeway - and submissions must comply with the rules and regulations outlined below.
Due to time constraints, the IOFF cannot provide feedback on submissions.
Completion Date: Projects completed after 1st January, 2025.
The festival's film selection is split into two categories:
Official Selections: Films awarded as an 'Official Selection' will be screened both live in a venue and online.
Finalists: Films awarded as a 'Finalist' will be screened online only but remain in full consideration for awards alongside officially selected films.
Submissions selected for the IOFF will have to include a portrait film poster, and a 20-word synopsis ahead of screenings.
At the time of submission, entrants must disclose the extent to which AI has been used during the course of pre-production and production of their entry.
The IOFF is an Irish-focused festival and only films made on the island of Ireland will be eligible for entry - except the the Best International Short Film category.
IOFF only accepts short films of NO LONGER than 30 minutes. (Including titles & credits).
Failure to correctly understand submission rules is not grounds for a refund.
The selection and scheduling of all films screened at IOFF is entirely at the discretion of the Festival Director and/or the Judging Panel.
IOFF does not pay screening fees (online or physical screenings) for submitted work.
If entering your film to IOFF - you must have the authority and licence for any music soundtrack on/in your film. You and/or the artists who own the music and/or their representatives waive rights to claim royalties from IOFF for screening selected films.
On submitting to the festival, the applicant understands that he/she/they has a legal right to submit the film including ensuring all clearances have been obtained. By submitting to the festival the applicant agrees to the rules and terms. Applicants agree to indemnify IOFF from any third party action in relation to the above terms.
Submission Guidelines
All genres and film styles are welcome.
Films Completed after January 1st 2025 will be considered.
Films must be no longer than 30 minutes including credits.
Films should be submitted in high resolution and in a widely compatible digital format. Ideally 720p HD mp4 or 1080p HD mp4. A DCP file may be required TBC.
Non-English films must include English subtitles.
A filmmaker may submit multiple films, but each entry requires a separate submission fee.
Submission fees are non-refundable.
The festival does not cover travel or accommodation expenses for filmmakers attending the event. Submitter should be over 18 years of age.
Submission waivers will not be granted.
Submission of Final Materials: Selected films and all required materials must be sent to the festival’s designated email by August 24th 2026.
If a filmmaker does not submit the required materials by this deadline, the festival reserves the right to withdraw the film from competition, and the submission fee will not be refunded. DCP file may be required for in-person screenings TBC.
Legal Agreement & Terms
By submitting your film to the Irish Online Film Festival, you agree to the following:
You acknowledge that you have the necessary rights to submit the film and that all content (including music and third-party materials) is cleared for use.
You grant the festival the right to screen your film at its events and online through our designated screening partners.
You grant permission for the festival to use extracts of your film, trailers, and images for promotional purposes.
The festival reserves the right to amend rules and guidelines at any time.
The festival, its venue partners, sponsors, and online screening providers are not responsible for any loss, damage, or unforeseen circumstances that may affect the screening of your film.
Decisions of the festival director are final in all matters.
