The BAFTA-Cymru Qualifying Film Festival is returning for its 7th edition in 2026! The FOCUS Wales Film Festival takes place 7-9th May, in Wrexham City Centre.

Join us for a showcase of the best short films from Wales and around the world + a selection of feature films, industry panels and networking opportunities.

Awards in each category:

• Best Welsh Film.
• Best International Film.

Special Awards for a single film:

• Best Original Score.
• Celtic Film Award.

• Films must have been made after 1st January 2024.
• Films must be under 20 minutes (including credits).

Selected filmmakers will receive a FOCUS Wales Pass (worth up to £160), allowing them to attend any event across the film, music and conference strands during the film festival (subject to venue capacity).

To be eligible for the Best Welsh Short Film Award, we use the BAFTA Cymru definition. A key member of the creative team (writer, director or producer) must have either been born in Wales, be a current resident, or identify as Welsh (having spent a considerable amount of time here).

Submissions not matching this criteria will automatically be considered for the Best International Short Film Award.

Similarly, to be eligible for the Celtic Film Award, a key member of the creative team (writer, director or producer) must have either been born, be resident, or have spent significant time in one of the Celtic Nations: Brittany (Breizh), Cornwall (Kernow), Wales (Cymru), Scotland (Alba), Ireland (Éire) and the Isle of Man (Mannin or Ellan Vannin).

We are happy to accept films in any language, however if your film is not in the English language we require you to provide English subtitles.

If your film is selected for screening, we may also request English captions to assist those attending the festival who are deaf or hard of hearing.

By submitting you are allowing us to also screen your film at the festival and use any images/media connected with the film as part of our festival marketing.

If selected, your submission will automatically be considered to be part of other FOCUS Wales events throughout the year. We will be in touch regarding these additional screenings (which may take place physically or digitally) if we believe your film would benefit.

There will be no refunds if your submission is not eligible to be considered.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Vaja Music

    FOCUS Wales Film Festival in Wales, UK is truly a one-of-a-kind music & film festival that celebrates and inspires all creative artists who are passionate about their work. I am honored to be a "Finalist" for my award-wining directorial debut music video "People Are People" (Depeche Mode Cover). Thank you from the bottom of my heart for recognizing independent filmmakers 🦋🙏🏽💜

    May 2025
  • Jaime Lock

    We are delighted to have won the Celtic Film Award with our film CLAN at this year's festival! Thank you so much for the opportunity. Excellent festival!

    May 2025
  • Michele Noble

    Focus Wales is an AWESOME film festival! It has films from Wales and around the world and incredible music events. We were honored that our film, The Yellow Sponge is the Dish Sponge played in their comedy block and earned finalist with respect to awards. They are a BAFTA-Cymru Qualifying Film Festival and Rob the film festival director really is excellent in communication, curation and running the Festival. I look forward to submitting my next film to this amazing film festival!

    May 2025
  • Jonathan Williams

    Great festival. Loads of networking opportunities and a lovely vibe to the whole thing that made it feel like a real staple of the town.

    May 2025
  • We had a lovely time ay Focus Wales and were thrilled to have our film, Christopher & the Bug screen here. The filmmakers we met were so friendly and the Festival Director (Rob) did an amazing job of introducing the screenings and keeping things running. We will definitely return to Wrexham!! We had an amazing festival experience.

    May 2025