About the Festival
The Waterford International Film Festival showcases the works of national & international filmmakers & artists. The festival was established by filmmaker Stephen Byrne in 2007 and he is the creative/festival director of the annual event.
WIFF returns for its 19th edition from 15th - 22nd November 2025, offering a hybrid festival experience with both in-person and online screenings.
Supporting National and International Filmmakers
At Waterford International Film Festival, we provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their talents to local & international audiences. We are committed to supporting talent by providing them with an opportunity to reach wider audiences with our in-person & online screenings.
Festival Dates 2025
Live Events: 15th - 16th November
Online Screenings: 16th - 22nd November
WIFF showcases a diverse selection of short films, documentaries, animations, music videos, and experimental works from emerging and established filmmakers worldwide.
Full List of Categories:
🎞 Best Short Film (BUNDLE OPTION AVAILABLE)
📜 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
Celebrating Filmmakers,Writers, and Artists
We believe in celebrating and supporting talent from all over the world, so we make sure to feature films from emerging filmmakers as well as established ones. The showcases a diverse selection of short films from around the world that capture a range of stories and perspectives. From short films & documentaries to animations and music videos, our festival is dedicated to celebrating national & international short films in all forms.
The festival also celebrates and supports the work of short screenplay writers and emerging talent in photography and art. As the first festival in the Republic of Ireland to hold an annual short screenplay competition, we take pride in acknowledging the hard work of talented writers.
In addition to our screenplay competition, we also offer a movie-themed photography competition to support and encourage new and emerging talent in the areas of photography and art.
We believe in the power of networking, which is why we organize social meetups and events over the festival weekend for filmmakers and artists, and guests to connect with each other. Filmmakers and artists from across the globe have attended the festival, and we always look forward to meeting and engaging with the filmmakers and guests.
The festival is dedicated to bringing a blend of new and award-winning, national & international cinema to the Waterford region, promoting and showcasing a diverse selection of projects from around the globe.
From comedy to horror, sci-fi to drama — we have something for every film buff. Our carefully curated selection will leave you in awe of the talent and creativity from Irish and International filmmakers.
About Waterford
Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city, founded by Viking raiders in AD 914. It has played a pivotal role in the economic, political and cultural life of the country and its motto Urbs Intacta (the untaken city) bears witness to the many power struggles and conflicts in which it has been embroiled through the centuries.
Throughout the medieval period and up until the end of the seventeenth century, Waterford remained the second city in Ireland. Today Waterford is the cultural, economic, educational, technological and industrial capital of the South East region.
Waterford is a historic and cultural city. It is a city of colour and excitement. Above all it is a rapidly developing and progressive city.
There are many attractions to Waterford – its Gallery and Museum, its busy streets full of fascinating shops, small lanes to stroll through with 1,000 years of history meeting you on virtually every street corner.
Throughout the medieval period and up until the end of the seventeenth century, Waterford remained the second city in Ireland. Today Waterford is the cultural, economic, educational, technological and industrial capital of the South East region.
Waterford is a historic and cultural city. It is a city of colour and excitement. Above all it is a rapidly developing and progressive city.
There are many attractions to Waterford – its Gallery and Museum, its busy streets full of fascinating shops, small lanes to stroll through with 1,000 years of history meeting you on virtually every street corner.
