Short Films & Scripts- Rules Fee & Form Information

This page is for Short Films & Scripts only. The Photography Competition Entry form is on a separate Page.

Short Films & Short Screenplays
You can enter in two ways:

1. On this website – Use the payment portal below and then complete the online entry form (linked on this page).

2. Via FilmFreeway – Click the FilmFreeway tab to enter through their platform.

Please Note: We charge submission fees. No project will be considered without the fee.

Step 1: To enter on our site - Pay the submission Fee by clicking on the Buy button in the payment portal

Step 2: Once your fee is paid, return to this page and click the Form button towards the end of the page to access our online entry form. Fill out the form and hit Submit to complete your entry.

Note 1: Some discounts are only available on FilmFreeway.

Note 2: We now accept entries for Trailer and Poster categories, but these are only available on FilmFreeway.

For all other categories, please scroll down.

Awards

🏆 Main Awards

• Best Short Film
  Waterford Crystal Trophy + Certificate + Laurels
  (Runner-up also receives a Trophy at our Awards Presentation)

• Best Short Screenplay
  Waterford Crystal Trophy + Certificate + Laurels

🎥 Audience Award

• Virtual Audience Award for Best Irish Short
  Sponsored by Éiretainment
  Prize: €250 Cash + 1-Year Distribution Contract on Éiretainment Platform + Festival Laurels
  (Non-jury award – decided by online audience votes. Only open to Irish filmmakers or productions based in Ireland.)

🖼️ Category Awards (Cert & Laurels)

• Best Short Animation

• Best Short Documentary

• Best Music Video

• Best International Short

• Best Student or Debut Short

🎞️ Other Categories

• Best Trailer
  Winner receives Laurels and featured post on our Facebook page.

• Best Movie Poster
  Winner receives Laurels and promotion on our social media channels.

✨ Additional Notes

1. Honourable Mentions and Runner-Up Awards may also be presented.

2. Digital Certificates will be emailed to winners unable to attend the Awards Presentation.

3. All winners will receive official Certificates and Laurels.

The Waterford Film Festival has teamed up with InkTip.com and they are offering the prizes for our winners.
Winners will receive a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership.

As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you'll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.

Every InkTip producer has been vetted via resume and references and demonstrated the ability to get movies made. Companies who are InkTip members include: ABC, Anonymous Content, APA, CBS Films, HBO Films, ICM, Paradigm, Paramount Pictures, Hallmark Channel, FX, Universal, WME, Echo Lake, Zero Gravity, Bad Robot and 20th Century Fox.

SHORT FILM RULES 2025

General Submission Information
Submissions can be made through FilmFreeway or directly via our website at www.waterfordfilmfestival.net.
All submissions must comply with the rules and regulations outlined below.
Due to time constraints, the Festival cannot provide feedback on submissions

Film Selection Process
The festival's film selection is divided into two categories:
Official Selections: Films awarded as an 'Official Selection' will be screened both live in a venue and online.
Finalists: Films awarded as a 'Finalist' will be screened online only via our partners at Éiretainment but remain in full consideration for awards alongside officially selected films.

Submission Guidelines
All genres and film styles are welcome.
Films Produced after January 1st 2023 will be considered
Films must be no longer than 22 minutes including credits
Films should be submitted in high resolution and in a widely compatible digital format. Ideally 720p HD mp4 or 1080p HD mp4
Non-English films must include English subtitles.
A filmmaker may submit multiple films, but each entry requires a separate submission fee.
Submission fees are non-refundable.
The festival does not cover travel or accommodation expenses for filmmakers attending the event.Submitter should be over 18 years old.

Key Dates
Notification Date: The weekend of October 3rd – filmmakers will be notified of the festival’s decisions.
Final Cut Submission: All selected filmmakers will receive a link to upload the final cut of their film for the online screenings. Format should be either 720 HD MP4 or 1080p HD MP4

Submission of Final Materials: Selected films and all required materials must be sent to the festival’s designated email by October 22nd.
If a filmmaker does not submit the required materials by this deadline, the festival reserves the right to withdraw the film from competition, and the submission fee will not be refunded. Filmmakers may withdraw their film from the festival, but only before the final submission deadline.
Awards & Recognition

Both Official Selections and Finalists are eligible for festival awards.
Awards are presented at the festival's closing ceremony.

Legal Agreement & Terms
By submitting your film to the Waterford International Film Festival, you agree to the following:
You acknowledge that you have the necessary rights to submit the film and that all content (including music and third-party materials) is cleared for use.
You grant the festival the right to screen your film at its events and online through our designated screening partners.
You grant permission for the festival to use extracts of your film, trailers, and images for promotional purposes.
The festival reserves the right to amend rules and guidelines at any time.
The festival, its venue partners, sponsors, and online screening providers are not responsible for any loss, damage, or unforeseen circumstances that may affect the screening of your film.

For any inquiries, please contact us at waterfordfilmfestival@gmail.com.

Short Screenplay Competition Rules

By submitting your screenplay through our website or via FilmFreeway, you agree to the following rules:

The Waterford International Film Festival Short Screenplay Competition is open to writers of all nationalities and from any country.

Submission fees must be paid at the time of entry. Unpaid submissions will not be considered.
The competition consists of two rounds:
Round 1: Semi-finalists will be announced and awarded official laurels.
Round 2: From the semi-finalists, up to 20 finalists will be selected and considered for awards.

The winners will be chosen from the finalists and announced on the last day of the festival.
Notification Dates:
Semi-finalists will be notified on or before the official notification date.
Finalists will be notified on or before October 25th.
Submission Guidelines
Screenplays must be written in English.
Scripts must be between 3 and 15 pages (excluding the cover page).

All genres are welcome.
Submissions must be uploaded as PDF or Word files via the official festival website or FilmFreeway. Email submissions will not be accepted unless requested by a festival team member.
Rights & Permissions
By entering, you grant the festival permission to use your name and image for promotional purposes, including press materials and social media.

Writers retain full copyright over their work.
A production company may submit a screenplay on behalf of a writer, but the writer must provide written approval via email to waterfordfilmfestival@gmail.com.
Judging & General Terms
All submissions are reviewed by the Waterford International Film Festival selection committee, appointed by the Festival Director.

Judging decisions are final and confidential.

Writers may submit multiple screenplays, but each entry requires a separate submission and fee.
The festival reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.
Entrants will be notified of their submission status via email.
The applicant shall indemnify and hold harmless the Waterford International Film Festival and its staff against any claims related to copyright, trademarks, or similar matters.
By submitting your script on THIS SITE or on filmfreeway.com you are agreeing to all of these rules.

Once your fee is paid, return to this page and click the Form button at the end of this page to access our online entry form. Fill out the form and hit Submit to complete your entry.