Dublin Feminist Film Festival has established firm roots on Dublin’s cultural calendar since 2014, shining a spotlight on women in film. DFFF promotes and celebrates female filmmakers, hoping to inspire and empower others to get involved in filmmaking.

This involves considering women on-screen, but also behind the camera, through the dual-aspect of celebrating and showcasing fantastic female filmmaking, as well as demonstrating that women make compelling and complex characters and subjects. DFFF is a celebratory festival and our commitment to inclusive art is reflected in the programme each year, showcasing a range of work, from documentary to drama, short form to feature, including work by women from a variety of national, ethnic, and class backgrounds. Anywhere and everywhere that we mention ‘women’ we mean anyone who identifies as a woman.

After taking a Covid-19-related hiatus in 2020, we are returning with a hybrid festival for 2021. Our feature selections will be presented online, but - depending on government restrictions and the status of cinemas in Ireland - we hope to have live, in-person screenings of our shorts programme. TBC.

To reflect new networks of support that have developed over the past year, the theme of this year's festival is CARE and CONNECTION. We would love to see shorts that touch on that theme in a variety of ways. As with past festivals, shorts needn't fit the theme exactly, although preference will be give to those that do.

WINNER - DFFF SHORTS AWARD 2021

Prizes include:
Bespoke one-off consultancy with Festival Formula's very own Katie McCullough, during which they will be given guidance on a festival strategy for their short film, and receive the best tips & tricks on how to navigate the festival circuit and make the most of it!

Mentoring by Mary Kate O Flanagan.
One of Europe's leading story consultants, Mary Kate O Flanagan will act as a mentor to an emerging female writer, to help improve her skills and bring a project to the next stage. This will include reading a work in progress, three meetings (online) and guidance towards a new draft and editing of that new draft. The work will take place at agreed times to suit both parties in 2021 and will total 20 hours of Mary Kate's time. Estimated Value: €2,000

Runner Up:
Camerakit Voucher

RULES & TERMS

1. All films must be directed by a woman.
2. The maximum length for films is 18 minutes.
3. We accept shorts produced since January 2019.
4. Finalists must be able to submit their films digitally in a resolution suitable for online screening by 30th July 2021, full tech spec will be sent in advance. This may be subject to change if we are able to hold an in person event.
5. Shorts can touch on any theme or genre, and we encourage submissions of fiction, documentary, animation. Shorts that touch on the theme of CARE and CONNECTION will be given preference.
6. DFFF cannot give refunds for submissions that do not meet these criteria.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sheena Walsh

    Very nice festival to attend. Recommended

    August 2021
  • Great festival and excellent communication. Happy to be a part of it, thanks!

    July 2019
  • Great communication and friendly team. I was sadly unable to attend but the website and pictures looked fantastic.

    February 2017
  • Natasha Waugh

    A great festival to be a part of. The festival team were so welcoming, and the audience was so receptive. The screening drew in a great crowd, and was sold out, no doubt in thanks to the festival's excellent communication.
    One of the best aspects of the festival, is that all proceeds go to Sesane - a Nepalese based charity that works with women survivors of human trafficking. A very worthy, and important festival to be a part of, and one I will definitely be submitting to in the future.

    November 2016
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Natasha, you're too kind!

  • Megan K. Fox

    Brilliant festival run by awesome women, championing the work of female filmmakers 💪🏼 thoroughly enjoyed it.

    November 2016
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Megan, thanks for coming!