IFTA (Irish Film & Television Academy) Affiliated International Film Festival located in Limerick, the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way,
RHIFF is part of the Global Irish Festival Series -supported by Failte Ireland.
We strongly believe that the Irish film-making Diaspora should be encouraged to showcase their work here in Ireland.
We are currently the only Film Festival in Ireland that specifically encourages Irish Filmmakers abroad to return and showcase their work.

Screenings include feature and short films and documentaries chosen from International entries.

Animation is accepted for all categories and is included for consideration for an award.

Films entered into competition, MUST NOT be available online for general viewing.

We have categories for Feature (narrative) and Feature (documentary)

There are 3 categories for Short Film.

1. National short film showcase.
This category is for films (or cast & crew) that have a tangible link to the island of Ireland.
Please mark clearly on your submission if your film has a tangible link to the Midwest of Ireland as a separate Award for the Midwest category will be presented in 2024.

2. International short film showcase.
Please ensure your film has subtitles if not in the English language.

3. Student Competition - Open to current students and recent graduates, please upload a copy of your student ID / signed stamped letter from your college when submitting your film to FilmFreeway. Any queries can be directed to rhiffsubmissions@gmail.com

FILM AWARDS
(All Winners presented with the RHIFF signature Irish Slate Award)

Richard Harris Lifetime Achievement Award
2023 FIONA SHAW
2022 KENNETH BRANAGH

Richard Harris International Film Festival Outstanding Talent Award
2023 JAMIE DORNAN
2021 COLIN FARRELL
2020 JIM SHERIDAN
2019 MOE DUNFORD
2018 PATRICK BERGIN
2017 - DOMINIC WEST
2016 - FIONNULA FLANAGAN, (Some Mothers Son, Star Trek, The Guard, Life's a Breeze)
2015 - PATRICK CASSIDY, Composer (Hannibal, Kingdom of Heaven, Calvary)
2014 - JACK REYNOR, (Midsommar, Transformers, What Richard Did)

BEST OVERALL SHORT FILM
2023 WE WERE THERE - Leah O'Toole & Noah Santana
2022 LADY BETTY - Paul McGrath
2021 ROUGH - Declan Lawn, Adam Patterson
2020 A BETTER YOU - Eamonn Murphy
2019 A WHITE HORSE - Shaun O Connor
2018 DETAINMENT - Vincent Lambe (ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE)
2017 THE OBSERVER EFFECT - Garret Walsh
2016 UISCE BEATHA / WATER OF LIFE - Elaine Kennedy

BEST FEATURE FILM
2023 THE COST - Matthew Holmes
2022 MAN IN THE HAT - John-Paul Davidson, Stephen Warbeck
2021 SAVE ME FROM EVERYTHING - Ryan Lacen, Anthony Baldino
2020 THE WINTER LAKE - Phil Sheerin
2019 BELLINGCAT - Truth in a Post Truth World - Hans Pool
2018 THE STOLEN PRINCESS - Oleg Malamuhz
2017 MIGNON MOSSIE VAN WYK - by Darrell Roodt.
2016 TREURGROND - Darrell Roodt

BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
2023 CANINE - Paul Webster
2022 HELLO - Claire Frances Byrne
2021 NOTHING TO DECLARE - Garret Daly
2020 HOW TO FALL IN LOVE IN A PANDEMIC - Michael-David McKernan
2019 THE VASECTOMY DOCTOR - Paul Webster

FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
2023 THE EASTERN FRONT - Caolan Robertson
2022 SAVAGE WATERS - Mikey Corker

BEST DIRECTOR (Feature Film / Doc)
2023 DAVID DUCHOVNY - Bucky F*cking Dent
2022 EMMA BENESTAN - Hard Shell, Soft Shell (Fragile)
2021 RYAN LACEN & ANTHONY BALDINO - Save Me From Everything
2020 PHIL SHEERIN for The Winter Lake

BEST DIRECTOR (Short Film)
2023 WE WERE THERE - Leah O'Toole & Noah Santana
2022 CLAIRE FRANCES BYRNE - Hello?
2021 JEAN PASLEY - Ship of Souls
2020 EAMONN MURPHY - A Better You
2019 JORGE MURIEL - The Boy who wanted to Fly
2018 VINCENT LAMBE - Detainment
2017 KEN WILLIAMS & DENIS FITZPATRICK - Gustav
2016 CASHELL HORGAN - The Clockmakers Dream

NATIONAL CATEGORY - Short Film
2023 - CALF - Jamie O'Rourke
2022 - THE WALL - Jason Branagan

INTERNATIONAL CATEGORY - Short Film
2023 - IN TOO DEEP - Chris Overton
2022 - THE MANAGER POSITION - Craig Trow

ANIMATION CATEGORY - SHORT FILM
2023 - CANDLELIGHT - Scott Newton
2022 - LADY BETTY - Paul McGrath
2021 - MARCACH DEARG (RED RIDER) - Emma Fisher Owen, Ivan Fisher Owen
2020 - FEATHERWEIGHT- Kayleigh Gibbons
2018 - FIRE IN CARDBOARD CITY- Phil Brough

STUDENT CATEGORY
2023 - KNICK KNACK - Emer Hussey
2022 - THEY KILLED US FOR EXISTING - Meghan O'Shaughnessy
2021 - STRENGTH IN FAITH - Roísin Bentley
2020 DON'T SING - Conor Johnston
2019 BACKWATER - Brendan McCallion
2018 PERNICIO - Dave Fox
2017 LULA - Aoife O'Kelly

AUDIENCE AWARD - SHORT FILM
2023 - STABLE - Aishling O'Regan Sargent
2022 - PANIC - Aoife O'Kelly
2019 - MATCH - Laura O'Shea & Tony Doyle
2018 - TOAST - Aaron Moloney
2017 - THE SECRET MARKET - Martina McGlynn

MIDWEST SHORT FILM CATEGORY
2023 - SNOW - Darragh O'Flanagan
2022 - WARTS AND ALL - Pat Shortt
2021 - IT STARTED ON THE STREETS - Shane Serrano
2020 - BLUEBELL - Sohelia Lindheim
2019 - WALLS OF LIMERICK - Arturo Bandenelli
2018 - PENPALS - Ray Fennelly
2017 - UNSEEN - MD Neely
2016 - THE SONS OF ROBERT SCHUMAN - Tommy Conlan
2015 - THE CLIMB - Eimear O'Grady

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Short Film
2023 - COLM WHELAN - Postpartum
2022 - BURSHI WOJNAR - Croí (Heart)
2021 - BURSHI WOJNAR - Signal
2020 - IAN FOX - Bad Suns - Kevin Ryan
2019 - JJ ROLFE - Bending Glass
2018 - ANDREW KAINEDER - A Lunar Cycle
2017 - STIL WILLIAMS - Kubrick by Candlelight - David O'Reilly

BEST ACTOR IN A FEMALE ROLE (Short Film)
2023 - ISABELLE CONNOLLY - Calf
2022 - ALEX REID - Hello?
2022 - SOPHIE CANNELL - Hello?
2021 - DOYIN AJIBOYE - Dolapo is Fine
2020 - LAIA MANZANARES - Planet Earth calling Ana
2019 - SVETLANA ALEKSEEVNA BARANDICH - Anna
2018 - LAURA O'SHEA - Hold the Line
2017 - MARTA KANE - Lula
2016 - SARAH BISHOP - Late Moves

BEST ACTOR IN A FEMALE ROLE (Feature Film)
2023 - BRÍD NÍ NEACHTAIN - Advent
2022 - JULIET LANDAU - A Place Among the Dead
2021 - AOIBHINN McGINNITTY - The Edge of Chaos
2020 - CHARLIE MURPHY - The Winter Lake

BEST ACTOR IN A MALE ROLE (Short Film)
2023 - JASON WATKINS - One Note Man
2022 - AARON MONAGHAN - Croí (Heart)
2021 - GARY LYDON - The Lucky Man
2020 - MARK LAWRENCE- Life After Life
2019 - PETER COONAN - The Bridge
2018 - (Joint) - ELY SOLAN & LEON HUGHES - Detainment
2017 - EMMET KELLY - Lost Memories
2016 - OWEN ROE - Wait

BEST ACTOR IN A MALE ROLE (Feature Film)
2023 - DAVID DUCHOVNY - Bucky F*cking Dent
2022 - CIARÁN HINDS - The Man in the Hat
2021 - DANIEL WATSON - Give Them Wings
2020 - JOEL MINGUET - Lone Wolves - Sergi Arnau

WRITING (Short Film)
2023 - WILL MCCONNELL - Three Wishes
2022 - TRACY MARTIN - Hello?
2021 - DECLAN LAWN, ADAM PATTERSON - Rough
2020 - EAMONN MURPHY - A Better You
2019 - MOHAMMOD BAKHSHI - Are You Volleyball
2018 - RANDALL CHRISTOPHER - The Driver Is Red

EDITING (Short film)
2023 - DANIEL BUTLER - Bean Feasa
2022 - MICHAEL DAVID McKERNAN - Croí (Heart)
2021 - SHIHO ETORI - Silence
2020 - COLIN CAMPBELL - Algorithm - Edwina Casey
2019 - DAVE ROBINSON - RAMON - Notes From a BeeKeeper
2018 - PHILIP SHANAHAN - Hold The Line

INAUGURAL BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDSCORE
2022 AVAWAVES - Soundtrack Savage Waters

BEST COMPOSER / MUSIC
2023 STEPHEN WARBECK - The One Note Man
2022 MAJOR VAN WINKLE - This is Major

RHIFF 1 MINUTE MONOLOGUE COMPETITION - (2022 in assoc. with Fishpond Casting)
2022 ALEX PAYNE
2021 CHARLOTTE WALL
2019 JOSH HULLINGER
2018 PAUL FITZGERALD
2017 LUKE ANDREW FEENEY
2016 OWEN MULHALL
2015 KRISTINE O'BRIEN

RHIFF STYLE AWARD
2023 - KATRINA BROOK FLORES
2022 - DANIEL KEATING
2019 - SHAUN O'CONNOR
2018 - AOIFE DANAGHER
2017 - DORA GOLA
2016 - ELLA HARRIS

JUDGES SPECIAL MENTION
2023 - CIARA KELLEHER & ALANNA MACNAMEE - Movers & Shapers
2022 - MIKEY CORKER - Cinematography - Savage Waters (Feature Doc)
2022 - ENSEMBLE CAST - Wednesday's Child (Short Film)
2021 - TOYAH WILLCOX - Give them Wings (Feature Film)
2021 - LAOISA SEXTON - The Lucky Man (Short Film)
2020 - EMMA MACKEY - The Winter Lake (Feature Film)
2020 - OLIVE HARVEST - Lane Shipsey (Short Film)
2017 - DIARMUID NOYES - Chancer - Patrick Maxwell

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
2023 - TRISH LONG
2022 HYLDA QUEALLY
2021 T.J. O'GRADY PEYTON
2019 SHANE SERRANO
2017 GERARD STEMBRIDGE - For Contribution to Film in Limerick & Ireland
2016 JASON REDDAN - Winner MYRODEREEL competition 2016

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NEW MEDIA AWARD ( New Category 2019)
2019 Sustainable Productivity - ANNEESH KOORAPATY

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL CATEGORY (Two Separate Categories 2022 onwards)
2021 - Debutante - Kamila Dydyna
2020 - Planet Earth calling Ana (SPAIN) - Fernando Bonelli
2019 - ASHMINA - Dekel Berenson
2018 - SASHA OF THE SEA - Sammy Nutt
2017 - WAVE - TJ O'Grady & Benjamin Cleary
2016 - CAPER - Brian O'Neill
2015 - LOVE IS A STING - Vincent Gallagher

NEWPORT BEACH FILM CATEGORY
2021 - Imbas Forosnaí - Shane Serrano
2020 - Life After Life - Damien Varley
2019 - THE BRIDGE - Mark Smyth
2018 - TAKING STOCK - Siobhan McMahon
2017 - LOST MEMORIES Eamonn Murphy
2016 - DAY OFF - Steve Hall
2015 - WOMAN OF THE HOUSE - Aidan Gibson
2014 - I'VE BEEN A SWEEPER - Ciarán Dooley

ALL SUBMISSIONS
Films entered into competition, MUST NOT be available online for general viewing.
Films selected for screening MUST NOT have screened in the MidWest previously and must not be screening at any other Irish Festival on the dates the RHIFF festival takes place and for a period of 60 Days thereafter.

You must submit your film via FilmFreeway - DO NOT use outside links, google drive.
Vimeo, YouTube - ONLY the film you are submitting to be on the channel.

Please ensure the email address you provide with your submission is monitored.
WE NEED THIS INFORMATION TO UPDATE YOU ON THE STATUS OF YOUR SUBMISSION.

Please supply address and phone number; these will be used to post awards to recipients - please ensure these details are kept up to date.

Please submit Portrait Film Poster with each submission.

Please submit ALL CAST & CREW Information for our relevant awards Categories (please see Awards & Prizes section above)

Only films completed ON OR AFTER 1st January 2022 are eligible for entry into the 2023 Festival competition.

Exclusively the participants shall pay all fees in relation to the uploading or transportation of submissions from their place of origin to the address of RHIFF.

ALL taxes and duties must be prepaid.

Please note any submissions which do not meet the festival's T&C's will be disqualified and entry fee will be forfeited.

When contacting the festival please put your RHIFF Tracking Number assigned with submission in the subject header.

RHIFF WAIVER PROGRAMME -
Due to the volume of waiver requests received annually we now operate a waiver lottery.
All requests for emails will be entered into a draw on the 31st August for a limited number of waiver codes.
Please note, receiving a waiver code in the lottery does not guarantee selection to screen at the festival.

SHORT FILM & STUDENT SUBMISSIONS

The 20 minute duration of the film, must include the credits and opening sequences.
Films published online before festival screening are not eligible for submission.

Please note any submissions made which do not meet the criteria for submissions will be disqualified and entry fee will be forfeited.

CATEGORY 1. NATIONAL SHORT FILM SHOWCASE

All entries must be TWENTY (20) minutes or under.
Worldwide entries are accepted, there must be a clear link to Ireland - Writer, Producer, Director etc.
Irish Language films and films not in English must have English subtitles.
Only films completed on or after 1st January 2022 are eligible for entry into the 2022 Festival competition.
Exclusively the participant shall pay all fees in relation to the uploading or transportation of submissions from their place of origin to the address of RHIFF.
ALL taxes and duties must be prepaid.

PLEASE MARK CLEARLY UPON SUBMISSION IF YOUR PROJECT HAS A CLEAR CONNECTION TO THE MIDWEST OF IRELAND.

CATEGORY 2 - INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM SHOWCASE

All entries must be TWENTY (20) minutes or under.
Worldwide entries are accepted, it is not necessary in this category to have an Irish connection.
Any films that are not in English must have English subtitles.
Only films completed on or after 1st January 2021 are eligible for entry into the 2022 Festival competition.
Exclusively the participant shall pay all fees in relation to the uploading or transportation of submissions from their place of origin to the address of RHIFF.
ALL taxes and duties must be prepaid.

CATEGORY 3 - Documentary short competition

All entries must be Maximum 40 minutes or under.
Irish & Worldwide entries are accepted.
Any films that are not in English must have English subtitles.
Only films completed on or after 1st January 2022 are eligible for entry into the 2023 Festival competition.
Exclusively the participant shall pay all fees in relation to the uploading or transportation of submissions from their place of origin to the address of RHIFF.
ALL taxes and duties must be prepaid.

CATEGORY 4 - STUDENT COMPETITION

Open to current students and recent graduates worldwide, please upload a copy of your student ID / signed stamped letter from your college when submitting your film to FilmFreeway.
Students of TUS please contact your course tutor for update prior to submitting your film.
Any queries can be directed to info@richardharrisfilmfestival.com.

All entries must be TWENTY (20) minutes or under.
Irish and worldwide entries are accepted.
Any films that are not in English must have subtitles.
Only films completed on or after 1st January 2022 are eligible for entry into the 2023 Festival competition.
Only student films are accepted into this category.
Please submit copy of your student ID, letter from your college or proof of recent graduation with your submission.
Exclusively the participant shall pay all fees in relation to the uploading or transportation of submissions from their place of origin to the address of RHIFF.
ALL taxes and duties must be prepaid.

PLEASE MARK CLEARLY UPON SUBMISSION IF YOUR PROJECT HAS A CLEAR CONNECTION TO THE MIDWEST OF IRELAND.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR FILM SUBMISSIONS. (All Categories)
A fee is required upon submission.
There is a charge per film submitted.
You can enter more than one film into each category.
There is a charge per film submitted to each category.
Please ensure that your film is uploaded at the time of entry.
Please ensure a portrait film poster is uploaded with your film.
Please submit ALL Cast and Crew Information.

Please label submissions clearly with FILM TITLE, DIRECTOR(S), CONTACT NAME, CONTACT NUMBER, OFFICIAL FILM POSTER, STILLS, DURATION, EMAIL ADDRESS - all requirements are clearly marked on FilmFreeway in your submission form.

The submission of a film to the RHIFF will be considered to be an acknowledgement of your acceptance of the RHIFF festival terms and conditions.
Do not use copyrighted material without the relevant permissions and or certifications.
You must have full rights for the music in the film and written permission may be requested.
If music or additional film material used in your film is not original, then permission from source must be obtained. The responsibility for this rests entirely with the filmmaker. Failure to obtain clearance could result in your film being withdrawn from the Festival. In this event, RHIFF will not be liable to refund the fee or return the materials entered.
Any films that are not in English must have English subtitles.
If a film is selected for screening you must provide Blu-Ray or Digital File. The successful entrant is responsible for delivering the correct format for screening.
Submission to the Richard Harris International Film Festival does not guarantee a screening.
You will be bound by all terms and conditions of the official competition.
RHIFF reserves the right to use clips from selected entries to promote the festival.
Submissions in hard copy or those which do not follow the guidelines outlined here will not be accepted or returned. Late submissions will NOT be accepted.
RHIFF will not be responsible for damage to submitted media during the process of the film festival.
Exclusively the participant shall pay all fees in relation to the uploading or transportation of submissions from their place of origin to the address of RHIFF. ALL taxes and duties must be prepaid.
All packages should be clearly marked
The Festival will not be responsible for the cost of receiving any additional materials i.e. DVDs, posters, photos, etc.
The festival does not pay any travel, subsistence or accommodation costs of the participants screening at the festival.
Films previously entered into and screened at our festival are not eligible for re-entry in subsequent years.
All films to be screened at the festival will be notified via email.
**Please check your email spam / junk folders for emails from FilmFreeway notification centre.

The decision of the selection panel is final. RHIFF reserve the right to refuse to screen any submission deemed by the Festival to be inappropriate.
Submissions to the student category require a letter confirming your placement in college/school & must be submitted to the film festival by email to the following address rhiffsubmissions@gmail.com to receive your password to submit.

TV PILOT COMPETITION - DETAILS COMING SOON

FEATURE FILM SUBMISSIONS.

Get your feature screened alongside invited movies and iconic Richard Harris Features.
Thrilled to Screen Several European and Irish Premieres.

The selected entries will receive "RHIFF Official Selection" Laurels and winner of the competition will receive RHIFF Slate Award.

FEATURE DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

A fee is required upon submission.
There is a charge per film submitted.
You can enter ONLY ONE category in the festival.
You can enter more than one film into each category.
There is a charge per film submitted to each category.
Please ensure that your film is uploaded at the time of entry.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR FEATURE FILM / DOCUMENTARY SUBMISSIONS.

All entries must be FORTY (40) minutes or more duration.
Only films completed on or after 1st January 2021 are eligible for entry into the 2022 Festival competition.
Any films that are not in English must have English subtitles.

A fee is required upon submission.
There is a charge per feature film submitted.
Please ensure that your film is uploaded at the time of entry.
Please ensure an up to date portrait orientation movie poster and 3 production shots are uploaded with your entry.
Please label submissions clearly with film title, contact name, mobile, duration and email address.
Please ensure the email address supplied is monitored.

The submission of a film to the RHIFF will be considered to be an acknowledgement of your acceptance of the festival's terms and conditions.
Do not use copyrighted material.
You must have full rights for the music in the film and written permissions will be requested should your film reach Nomination stage.
If music or additional film material used in your film is not original, then permission from source must be obtained.
The responsibility for this rests entirely with the filmmaker.
Failure to obtain clearance could result in your film being withdrawn from the Festival. In this event, RHIFF will not be liable to refund the fee or return the materials entered.
If a film is selected for screening you must provide Blu-Ray or Digital File.
The successful entrant is responsible for delivering the correct format for screening.
RHIFF are not responsible for any Customs or Excise Duties.
Submission to the Richard Harris International Film Festival does not guarantee a screening.
You will be bound by all terms and conditions of the official competition.
RHIFF reserves the right to use clips from selected entries to promote the festival.
Submissions in hard copy or those which do not follow the guidelines outlined here will not be accepted or returned. Late submissions will NOT be accepted.
RHIFF will not be responsible for damage to submitted media during the process of the film festival.
The festival does not pay any travel, subsistence or accommodation costs of the participants screening at the festival.
The Festival does not pay screening fees.
Exclusively the participant shall pay all fees in relation to the uploading or transportation of submissions from their place of origin to the address of RHIFF. The Festival will not be responsible for the cost of receiving any additional materials i.e. DVDs, posters, photos, etc. Please ensure all taxes and duties are prepaid.

Films previously entered into and screened at our festival are not eligible for re-entry in subsequent years.
All films to be screened at the festival will be notified via email.
Please check your email spam / junk folders for emails from FilmFreeway notification centre, please add FilmFreeway to your contacts list to ensure you do not miss communications from RHIFF.

The decision of the selection panel is final.
RHIFF reserve the right to refuse to screen any submission deemed by the Festival to be inappropriate.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Michael Stevenson

    A wonderful festival and overall experience, thank you!

    November 2023
  • Kathryn Cooley

    This was my second time being accepted into the RHIFF, even though I could make it in person I was so honoured to be part of this fantastic festival!

    November 2023
  • Honored to have Bibi be a part of the Richard Harris Film Festival. Transparency was exceptional and I highly recommend this festival for future projects. Thank you for having us and for nominating our film in several categories.
    Christopher Beatty
    Bibi

    November 2023
  • We were honoured to just be selected at this prestigious festival but even more honoured to have won Best International Short for 'in too deep'.

    The communications as outstanding - it's very clear that behind the festival are a team of kind, generous people who believe in the power of film and indie filmmakers.

    November 2023
  • Great communication in the lead up to the event. The organisers were accessible at all times and very helpful. Our first time screening a film and attending the gala event. We will definitely be back.

    November 2023