Screen your film at the Irish Film Institute and compete for WFT Ireland’s annual Short Film Awards!
WFT Ireland is delighted to invite submissions for the 2026 WFT Ireland Members’ Short Film Awards, taking place at the Irish Film Institute on Monday, 7 December 2026.
This annual event showcases the outstanding work of WFT Ireland members and culminates in an awards ceremony recognising excellence in Irish short filmmaking. Selected films will be screened before an audience of filmmakers and industry professionals, with entrants competing for prestigious WFT Ireland Awards and a range of fantastic prizes, generously supported by our industry partners.
Awards will be presented in the following categories:
- Best Film
- Best Director
- Best Actor
- Best Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best Non-Narrative Film
- Special Mention
Presented in partnership with the Irish Film Institute and supported by Coimisiún na Meán and Screen Ireland, the event is a highlight of the WFT Ireland calendar, recognising both emerging and established talent working across the screen industries.
Submission Deadline: Friday, 4 September 2026 at 5pm
- Membership is at the heart of the WFT Showcase — to be eligible for a specific award category, the individual fulfilling that role in the film (e.g. the Director for Best Director, the Writer for Best Screenplay) must be a WFT member. Not a member yet? There’s no better time to join — become part of an amazing community of filmmakers, get access to incredible opportunities like this, and help your work get the recognition it deserves.
- There is no submission fee – Entry is included as a benefit of WFT Ireland membership.
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- We welcome submissions from filmmakers at every stage of their careers and across documentary, narrative, animation and experimental filmmaking.
- Films will be assessed by our judging panel on criteria including storytelling, creative vision, production values, originality and the representation of women in key creative roles.
- SEE FULL SUBMISSION CRITERIA BELOW.
To submit your film, please head to FILM FREEWAY and use the unique submission code sent to you by email. If you are a current WFT Ireland member and have not received your code, please get in touch with us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help you!
FULL SUBMISSION CRITERIA:
• The person submitting the short film MUST be a current WFT Ireland member and MUST be the film’s Director, Writer, Producer, DOP or Key Actor. You can join WFT Ireland or renew your membership at https://wft.ie).
• To be considered for Best Film, at least two key roles (Director, Writer, Producer, DOP, Key Actor) must be filled by WFT Members (e.g. Producer and Director are WFT Members).
• The short film must have been made in the last two years, ie. between 1st Jan 2024 – 1st August 2026.
• The film must be 15 MINS OR UNDER. This includes the credits. Films longer than this will not be considered, as time slots are limited.
• If you are going to submit more than one film, create a separate entry each time.
• You must be able to submit your film in a suitable file/DCP for screening.
• We ask that you be able to deliver the film in the required format to the IFI.