Where can I submit my film? Submit my film Expand You can make your submission at the DIFF Film Freeway
Is there a fee for entry? Entry Fee Expand Yes. Both feature films (documentary and fiction) and short films have an entry fee attached. For features, prices range between $35 and $65, depending on how early you submit. For short films there is a flat entry fee of $35. Full details can be found here.
Can I get a fee waiver for my submission? Fee Waivers Expand We do not offer waivers for submissions.
Can I get a discount for my submissions? Discounted Submission Expand If you are a college or institution, or have a number of films you would like to enter, please email [email protected]
Why is there an entry fee? Entry Fee at DIFF Expand Every year the DIFF programming team receives hundreds of entries and devotes hours of free time to making sure every film is watched and considered fairly. The team is passionate about film (many of us are filmmakers ourselves), and understands the costs and the personal expenses associated with creating even the shortest of shorts. The fees you pay for entry go straight back into the costs of curation, including venue hire, promotion and production.
What premiere status must my film have? Film Premiere status Expand For feature films and feature-length documentaries your film must have Irish premiere status. For shorts your film must have Dublin premiere status.
My film is online – can I still enter? Eligibility film available publicly online Expand Any film available publicly online is not eligible for entry. We accept secure and password-protected links only.
Is there a minimum or maximum run time for feature and shorts submissions? Maximum and Minimum run time for features Expand The minimum run time for features is 60 minutes. The maximum run time for short films is 30 minutes.
Can I post you a DVD instead of making an online entry? DVD Submissions Expand Yes! Please pay for your submission on FilmFreeway and label your DVD clearly with the code. See our FilmFreeway page for further details. Post your submission to: Digital Hub, Office 2.3, 157 Thomas Street, Dublin 8, Eircode: D08 T91Y
Can you return my Blu-ray or DVD to me once you’ve finished watching it? Return Submissions Expand No. We do not return submissions; please make sure that you send a copy.
How long after completion date is my film still eligible? Film Eligibility DIFF Expand DIFF accepts films that are within 1 to 1.5 years of their completion date.
Are there any awards or competitions? Awards and Competitions at DIFF Expand There are a number of awards for which your film may be eligible, including the Audience Award (Feature and Short Film), the Discovery Award (available to Irish talent only), the Short Film Award, the Documentary Competition, the ICCL Human Rights Film Award, the Dublin Film Critics’ Circle Awards (Features only), the Fantastic Flix Children’s Jury Award and the Young Programmers’ Choice Award. Learn more about our awards here.
May I submit my project as a ‘rough cut’? Rough Cut Submission Expand You can submit a rough cut, however we recommend submitting your film as close to completion as possible before the submission deadline.
My project was not accepted last year. Can I submit again? Dublin International Film Festival Submit Again Expand Yes, but we do not recommend entering again unless it has changed significantly.
Do you offer feedback on submissions? DIFF Submissions Policy Expand Unfortunately, due to the high volume of submissions, we are unable to offer feedback. Please don’t be discouraged if you are not accepted into DIFF. There are often many factors influencing the acceptance or suitability of your film for DIFF.
Do you have a diversity policy? Read DIFF Diversity Policy Expand Dublin International Film Festival's Commitment to Greater Diversity: As part of Dublin International Film Festival's mission to employ greater diversity in its programming, we welcome submissions from varied ethnicities and marginalised voices, as well as seeking greater parity and a 50/50 gender-balance. Please make us aware of the diversity in your project when submitting your film. All films submitted through FilmFreeway are given parity of treatment. Dublin International Film Festival is committed to treating all peoples with respect, dignity and fairness and will take steps to welcome individuals, organisations and communities of all backgrounds including: of any race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, ability, citizenship, creed, sex, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, same sex partnership, age, marital status, family status, immigration status, receipt of public assistance, history of mental health issues, health status, political affiliation, learning difference, level of literacy, accent, first language, body type, physical appearance and abilities, stature or socio-economic status. The Festival is not complacent about its progress to date, and recognises that there is more work to be done to achieve diversity in all of its activities.
When are the online films available? Expand Just like a traditional Film Festival, the online film screenings are scheduled at different times over the 12 days of the Festival. Unless otherwise stated, each online film is available to unlock for 72 hours after it premieres.
Do you have Season Tickets this year? Expand This year we introduce Ticket Bundles and Online Festival Passes for online screenings. Find out more and get yours HERE.
Why won't my old login work? Expand In order to provide our customers with the best experience we switched a new ticketing system this year, so we are asking you to register again to use the website.
Do I need to be available at a set time for the online screenings? Expand Most of the films will be available for 72 hours from purchase, unless stated otherwise. All short films will be available for the duration of the Festival. That means you can join us for a watch party with our guests, or watch the film whenever suits you!
Can I watch online films on my Android device? Expand Yes, you can watch content using Chrome on Android 6.0 or later. If Chromecasting, must have 3rd generation or later Chromecast stick. To Chromecast from a mobile Android device: Make sure your mobile phone or tablet is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device. Tap the "Cast" icon in the lower righthand corner of the player. If no icon appears, this means casting is not supported on your device. To Chromecast from computer: Open the content in the Google Chrome browser. Click the "Cast" icon in the lower righthand corner of the player. If no icon appears, this means casting is not supported on your device.
How do I play the film on my TV? Expand If you have an Apple TV, Chromecast (3rd gen or later), or a smart TV enabled with AirPlay or Chromecast, set your computer, mobile device or browser to “AirPlay” or “cast” to the TV device. Unlock the program on Eventive Virtual, then set your player window to full-screen using the icon at the lower right. See our detailed instructions for the dedicated Apple TV app below. Chromecast will work on select Android devices, see instructions above. Chromecast on iOS devices are not compatible with the Eventive platform. Important note: Due to content protection restrictions, the Screen Mirroring feature on Smart TVs and other devices cannot be used. Many browsers built into Smart TVs and other devices will NOT allow protected content to play. You can also directly connect a laptop or computer using an HDMI cable by doing the following: Make sure your computer is close enough to your Television for the HDMI cable to reach between them safely. Connect one end of the HDMI cable into an available HDMI port on the TV. Take note of the HDMI input number it is being connected to. Plug the other end of the cable into your laptop's HDMI out port Set the TV to the HDMI Input port that the computer is connected to using the source or display button on your TV remote. If your computer's display does not automatically appear on your television screen, you may need to have the computer manually detect the display. Windows: Right-click on the desktop > Display Settings > Click Detect > Click the "Multiple displays" drop-down box and select "Duplicate these displays") > Click Apply. Mac: Go to the Apple Menu > choose System Preferences > Choose the “Displays” panel > Hold down the “Option” key to show the “Detect Displays” button – note that it replaces the ‘Gather Windows’ button > Click on “Detect Displays” while holding down Option to use the function as intended.
I'm seeing a black screen where the film should be, but audio plays normally. Expand If you are using an external display, try disconnecting the display. Your display may not support the encryption necessary to securely stream your content. If you cannot detach the external display and are using Safari on a Mac, try switching to Google Chrome. If you are on a mobile device, try letting the film play for 15 seconds. If none of these steps help, please contact us using the live chat at the bottom of the page.
My film won’t play! (General troubleshooting steps) Expand Please confirm that you are not on a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Eventive’s content protection protocol does not allow VPN access. Are you logged in with the correct account? Please check your login status at the upper right of the Eventive window. If you are logged in you will see a circle with the initials of the account holder. To switch accounts, click on the circle and select “sign out”, then login (using email address or facebook login) to the preferred account. If you are not logged in, you’ll see the word “login” at the upper right of the window. Click “login” and enter the desired account credentials. You may also login directly from the order pop-up if you click “unlock movie” while logged out. If all you see in the player window is a black screen, please click or tap on the window to activate the player controls.