OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Waterford International Film Festival (WIFF) returns for its 19th edition from 15th - 22nd November 2025,
offering a hybrid festival experience with both in-person and online screenings.
Annual Competitions
WIFF hosts three competitions:
🎞 Short Film Competition
📜 Short Screenplay Competition
📸 Photography Competition
Festival Dates 2025
Live Events: 15th - 16th November
Online Screenings: 16th - 22nd November
Film Screenings & Selection Process
WIFF showcases a diverse selection of short films, documentaries, animations, music videos,
and experimental works from emerging and established filmmakers worldwide.
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All selected films will be available online throughout the festival.
Some selected films will also receive an in-person screening at our festival venues.
For details on Official Selections vs. Finalists, please refer to our submission rules.
💡 Please Note:WIFF does not offer fee waivers. Submission fees are essential to supporting festival operations.
All selected films, whether screened in person or online, are eligible for awards in their respective categories.
For a full list of prizes please see the submission page.
Full List of Award Categories
🏆 Best Short Film
📜 Best Short Screenplay
📸 Best Cinematic Image - Photo Contest
🌍 Best International Short Film
🎨 Best Short Animation
🎥 Best Short Documentary
🎓 Best Student or Debut Short Film
🎵 Best Music Video
🎬 Best Trailer
🖼 Best Movie Poster
Best Irish Short - Virtual Audience Award (Sponsored by Éiretainment)
💰 €250 cash prize & a 1-year distribution contract on Éiretainment’s platform (+ Festival Laurels)
🗳 Non-jury award, decided by online audience votes
🎬 Only eligible for Irish filmmakers or films produced in Ireland
Networking Opportunities
🤝 Live Networking Event – A relaxed meet-and-greet at the House of Waterford.
💻 Online Networking Event – A free Zoom session during the festival week, co-hosted by Éiretainment founder Simon Maguire.
🏅 Awards & Reception – Sunday, 16th November, featuring a drinks reception, awards ceremony (90 minutes), and networking opportunities for all filmmakers, including those with online-only screenings.
Online Screenings & Geo-blocking
All selected films will be available for online streaming during the festival.
Viewers from the EU can access screenings via a secure paywall.
Geo-blocking options are available for films that need to be restricted to Ireland only.
✅Review our rules & terms before submitting. WIFF runs annual competitions for films, scripts, and photography, with all selected films eligible for awards.
📍 Festival Venues:
Physical Screenings – Held at The House of Waterford & SETU Granary – School of Architecture
Online Screenings – Hosted on Éiretainment's platform
📌 IMDb-listed festival: WIFF on IMDb HERE
For further inquiries, contact us at [email protected].
About the Festival:
We are a proud supporter of Independent Film. Supporting National and International Filmmakers, Screenwriters & Photographers in our Annual Competitions.
At WIFF, we provide a platform for filmmakers worldwide. With in-person & online screenings, we connect talent to diverse audiences.
Celebrating Creativity: From short films to animations, our festival showcases diverse stories and perspectives. We celebrate emerging and established talent.
Networking Opportunities:
Each year we aim to provide artists with in-person opportunities to network with other filmmakers and to engage with members of the audience with social meet-ups and events.
