The Athlone Film Festival

The Athlone Film Festival 2026 runs in conjunction with the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival.

The Festival is a annual screening of very high quality short films from Ireland and abroad in the Athlone IMC cinema, since 2019.

The Athlone Film Festival has only one main screening by design. This gives everyone, including the film makers, the unique opportunity to view every film in the festival. After the screening a panel discussion involving the filmmakers takes place in the cinema with tea, coffee and light refreshments afterwards.

There will be additional events the day before and earlier in the day, like a screen writers workshop or the networking event. The festival also opens the nationally renowned RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival which stages high quality plays from around Ireland and puts on fringe events including, but not limited to; lectures, workshops, one act plays, and many more fantastic activities.

The networking event is more than just a meet or greet. Since 2024 it has served as a second screening for films that receive an honourable mention from the festival. It is only open to applicants who submit to the Athlone Film Festival. This means that you get a second chance at a screening and it allows us, the festival, to celebrate more film makers.

Submission is only ten euro and open to all with quality short films. Applicants are advised that films under 20 minutes have a higher chance of success.