Full rules for short films, music videos, documentary and feature films are below, please read carefully before submitting.
Taking place every spring, the Dublin International Film Festival is one of the most iconic events in Ireland’s cultural calendar. Each Festival offers an enticing mix of public and industry events, In Conversations, and playful and powerful cinema from around the world, including a growing programme of short films. The shorts selection will be curated thematically into programs of approximately 90 – 120 minutes in duration, which aim to bring together a diverse cross-section of contemporary international and Irish cinema.
From hidden gems to red-carpet spectaculars attended by directors and special guests, every Festival is a celebration of cinematic excellence in all its forms. The DIFF Awards recognise outstanding achievements in documentaries, international features, and shorts, while the Audience Awards give festivalgoers a chance to vote for their favourite features and shorts.
The Festival’s most prestigious accolade is the Volta. Named after Ireland’s first dedicated cinema, the Voltas are awarded each year to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the world of film. Previous recipients have included iconic figures such as Paul Rudd and Ellen Mirojnick in 2026, Ed Harris and Jessica Lange in 2025, Steve McQueen and Isabelle Huppert in 2024, through to Al Pacino, Julie Andrews, Ennio Morricone, Daniel Day-Lewis, Claudia Cardinale, Martin Sheen, Kristin Scott Thomas, Brendan Gleeson, Terry Gilliam, Angela Lansbury and Adam McKay.
Many of these iconic names join us in helping to nurture the next generation of talent; every year DIFF invites a wealth of leading industry professionals to run workshops, give talks, and offer inspirational advice. Over the years we’ve welcomed leading lights from every area of filmmaking, including writers and directors (and quite a few writer-directors), composers, producers and casting agents.
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Dublin International Film Festival's Commitment to Greater Diversity:
Dublin International Film Festival aims to be an inclusive and diverse organisation that promotes and delivers equality of opportunity regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation across all its activities, from programming and audience development to employment policies.
As part of Dublin International Film Festival's mission to employ greater diversity in its programming, we welcome submissions from filmmakers of all cultural backgrounds and marginalised voices, as well as seeking greater parity and a 50/50 gender-balance. Please make us aware any diversity in your project (above and below the line) when submitting your film.
The Festival is not complacent about its progress to date, and recognises that there is more work to be done to achieve diversity in all of its activities.
Each year, the Festival Awards champion excellence in filmmaking across the programme, including shorts, features, documentaries, and new work from emerging artists and creatives. Previous winners of the DIFF Discovery Award for emerging talent include Colm Bairéad (An Cailín Ciúin), Luke McManus (North Circular), and Cara Holmes (Welcome to a Bright White Limbo). The 2026 winners are Ellius Grace (A Song), Olivia McLaughlin (Parting), and Joseph Ingersoll (Punt).
The DIFF Awards offer recognition for every type of film and every kind of filmmaker, at any stage of their career. They include:
Short Film Awards:
Sue Bruce Smith Best Irish Short Film
Best International Short Film
Best Animated Short Film
Best Documentary Feature Film
ICCL Human Rights Film Award
World Cinema Award:
This award goes to an international first, second, or third time feature film director in the programme.
Discovery Awards:
Three Discovery Awards are awarded to the next generation of filmmakers, in roles varying from producing, directing, writing and performing.
Audience Awards:
Feature Film
Short Film
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May 2025
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Conor McCormick
March 2025 -
Maurice O Carroll
April 2024 -
Colin Hickey
March 2024 -
May 2023
