ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
SHORT FILMS
1. Films must be 20 minutes or under.
2. They must have been completed between the following dates: 1st August 2025 - 14th August 2026.
3. Films must have been made in Ireland, or made by an Irish writer/director.
4. Films must not have been screened before publicly in Northern Ireland.
5. Your film must not be available in full online or have been shown on another medium e.g. TV. If your film is available in full on YouTube, etc. then it will be automatically withdrawn from the competition. Excerpts of your film, totalling no more than ten per cent of its running time are exempt from this rule.
6. Films must be available for screening as DCP or HD files
7. We want to make BFF26 as accessible as possible for younger filmmakers. To avail of our discounted 25 & UNDER submission rate, Director must be 25 or under at time of submission. Please provide DOB as proof of age.
No refunds will be given in the event of failure to comply with the terms and conditions.
If you have any questions about eligibility, please contact james@belfastfilmfestival.org.
The decision of the programming committee is final. Due to the large amount of submissions received BFF cannot enter into any discussion regarding films that are not selected for the festival.
By submitting your film you are acknowledging that you have cleared all rights for screening, and are happy for images to be reproduced for the purpose of promoting the festival.
NI INDEPENDENTS
1. Films must be at least 20 mins in length (for short film submissions see above)
2. They must have been completed between the following dates: 1st September 2024 - 31st August 2025.
3. Priority will be given to films made and produced in Northern Ireland with key creative team and cast originating in Northern Ireland. It is important to note that this category focuses on Northern Irish film.
4. Films must not have been screened before in Northern Ireland or online.
5. Your film must not be available in full online or have been shown on another medium e.g. TV. If your film is available in full on YouTube, etc. then it will be automatically withdrawn from the competition. Excerpts of your film, totalling no more than ten per cent of its running time are exempt from this rule.
6. Films must be available for screening as HD files.
7. We want to make BFF26 as accessible as possible for younger filmmakers. To avail of our discounted 25 & UNDER submission rate, Director must be 25 or Under at time of submission. Please provide DOB as proof of age.
No refunds will be given in the event of failure to comply with the terms and conditions.
The decision of the programming committee is final. Due to the large amount of submissions received BFF cannot enter into any discussion regarding films that are not selected for the festival.
By submitting your film you are acknowledging that you have cleared all rights for screening, and are happy for images to be reproduced for the purpose of promoting the festival.
If you have any questions about NI Independents eligibility, please contact rose@belfastfilmfestival.org.
