Our short film programme consists of two different categories, Irish and International short-film competition (Open to non-Irish entries)
Submissions for both categories will be shortlisted down to a maximum of 6 finalists within each category (12 within each category) and will be screening during our festival at Accidental Theatre
Awards & Prizes
Best Irish Short Film (Voted for by Festival Jury)
Best International Short Film (Voted for by Festival Jury)
First Time Filmmaker Award * [International/Irish] (Voted for by Festival Jury)
Women Make Horror Award ** [International/Irish] (Voted for by Festival Jury)
* Any shorts made by a first-time filmmaker that enter into the final shortlists of both our international and Irish categories will automatically be considered for this award)
* Any shorts made by a female director that enter into the final shortlists of both our international and Irish categories will automatically be considered for this award)
Eligibility Criteria
• Shorts runtime must be under 20 minutes in length (including credits)
• All entries (Irish/International) must have been completed within 18 months of our festival's date and not previously selected as a finalist in the previous festival.
• Shorts submitted within the Irish short film strand must be made in Ireland- or made by an Irish writer/director (i.e. shot in England, but writer or director or Lead actors are Irish/NI citizens)
• Submitted online (Via FilmFreeway)
• Available for competition screening in, DCP or HD QuickTime format
Submissions
We only accept online submissions via FilmFreeway. The Belfast International Horror Festival guarantees that your film will never be used in any way other than that to which you agree.
Submission Fees
There is a submission fee (£8) to enter your short. Due to our low submission fee, we doof fer a discounted rate for students (£5). All submissions are final, and there are no refunds.
Multiple Entries
You may enter as many films as you wish. Each entry requires a separate submission form, fee and upload.
Submission Agreement
At the point of payment on your submission, you will be asked if you have read and agreed with the festival’s regulations. By agreeing to proceed with your submission, you agree to these regulations, and your application can then be processed.
The entry of a film is binding and implies the acceptance of these regulations. In the event of disagreement concerning the interpretation of the regulations, the interpretation of the festival will take precedence.
Short’s Selection Procedure
Submitted shorts will be viewed by two or more members of the festival’s selection committee, all programming decisions are made at the discretion of the festival and all decisions are final! Our finalists will then be judged by our festival jury and winners will not be announced until the night of our short film showcase.
The festival team will not provide comments on films before submission, or reasons for rejection, however, we are happy to provide informal feedback on individual films after the festival has taken place.
Contact
For all enquiries, please contact info@bihf.co.uk
