The First Frame initiative brings together students from over 50 film courses, universities, and further education institutions from around Ireland to view a curated selection of student films in competition. 

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Prizes are awarded to the top films in each category  - fiction, documentary, experimental, and animation - with a new award this year for Best Editing. The screenings provide excellent opportunities for course leaders and students alike to network with their peers as part of a national film event and attendees are also given the opportunity to hear from industry professionals in masterclasses held alongside the screenings of their work. 
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Now in its eighth year, First Frame showcased two programmes of student films on two fully student-dedicated days during DIFF 2026: one in Galway in collaboration with ATU, and one in Dublin. We welcomed filmmaker Glenn McQuaid to both days to discuss how he got started in film and his new film showing in DIFF2026 The Restoration at Grayson Manor and a panel from the Irish Screen Editors guild joined us in Dublin
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This year's jury consisted of: Jessica Whelehan (Screen Guilds of Ireland), Mairead McIvor (Irish Screen Editors), and Jack Wall O'Reilly (filmmaker & First Frame winner)
For the second year we also welcomed a peer jury from our partner venue in ATU Galway consisting of: Amy Cannon, Hugh Leigh, Sam Gray, Jack O'Regan, Rebecca Osgood Daly, and Aengus Kelly.

The winners of the Best Overall Film will receive an invaluable Set Etiquette training course from the National Talent Academy Film & TV Crew East. Designed to provide participants with the confidence and skills to excel from their first day on a professional set, this is a unique opportunity to get industry expert training and insight into a career in Film & TV production.
The winners for Best Editing will receive a year's subscription to Adobe Premiere-Pro from the Irish Screen Editors guild. 

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​Submissions for 2027 will open at the end of the year. Information will be available on this page or by signing up to our student mailing list.​

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First Frame winners 2026
Best Fiction: Barracuda, UL
Best Documentary: Call Me Maeve, IADT
Best Animation: Caught, DKIT
Best Experimental: I Am, TUD Tallaght
Best Editing: Mixed Signals, TUD
Best Film: Barracuda, UL

ATU Student Jury Selection 2026
Best Fiction: Barracuda, UL
Best Documentary: Art on Art, DKIT
Best Animation: The Puppeteer, TUD Tallaght
Best Experimental: An Ode to Noise, DKIT
Best Editing: Art on Art, DKIT
Best Film: Art on Art, DKIT