FILM SUBMISSION INFORMATION:
By submitted to 2026's edition of RFF, you are agreeing to a possible online and/or physical screening of your work in the Stella Cinema, Ranelagh Dublin 6. The programming team will discuss this in more detail nearer to the event. Refunds will not be issued if you do not wish to screen the film online.
The selection and scheduling of all films screened at RFF 2025 is entirely at the discretion of the Festival Director and the Judging Panel. All decisions are final. The festival is unable to send personal emails regarding films that are not selected and notification regarding the status of selection will be made via FilmFreeway notification. Selected films will be contacted directly and in the media.
Each submission must be accompanied by a:
• HIGH RES STILL IMAGE (not a poster image) and
• 15 WORD SYNOPSIS.
Please submit to ONE category ONLY per film.
Films not in the English language must have subtitles.
Withdrawal will only be refunded if requested within two weeks from being submitted.
Short Film Screening Files: (Once Selected) If selected the festival will request DCP only.
If selected, any web links used to transfer accepted formats should remain active until we have confirmed that we have downloaded and tested the film. Alternative versions will be required where it is evident that the technical requirements are not being met.
Please watch the file of your film IN FULL before sending to us. Our DCP technician will not be able to check your file for errors. Failure to adhere to the technical requirements may result in films not being screened.
Screening format for FEATURE FILMS will be DCP only and must be provided by the APPLICANT if selected.
RFF will liaise with the filmmaker regarding screening formats after final decisions have been taken. Please check the email you submit your film with regularly. This is the method we will use to contact you. If there is no response to our emails, RFF reserve the right to withdraw selection.
Images and press packs will be requested upon selection. These will be used for promotional purposes not limited to press, online media, television, radio and any other media platform.
Television and Internet broadcasting: Taking part in RFF implies allowing broadcasting on Irish and foreign televisions and on the Internet (extracts limited to and not exceeding 1 min) for the purpose of promoting the festival.
RFF does not pay screening fees for submitted work.
We request that applicants submit to RFF only through the FilmFreeway portal. We do not accept DVDs, online links by email or social media messages etc. The festival has a small seasonal staff and we are not in a position to accept submissions in any other way. This allows our judging panel to view and select films in a fair manner.
All the films are watched by the panel and the judges make the final decision. There is no audience award RFF.
If entering your film to RFF you must have the authority and license 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 RFF 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.
Shorts may be shown at a follow-up event at our local arts centre for the community. Film-makers will be notified of this event if their work is to be shown.
