IRISH FILM FESTA 2027: Free Short Film and Animation Competition in Rome, Irish Team Required
IRISH FILM FESTA, the long-running showcase of Irish cinema held in Rome, Italy, has opened its 2027 short-film competition. It accepts live-action fiction, creative documentaries and animation of any technique, provided the full work is less than 30 minutes and an Irish producer, director or writer is part of the film's creative team. Entries are free and close on 15 December 2026, exclusively through FilmFreeway. The selected films will be screened at Casa del Cinema in Rome during the festival's April 2027 edition. This is an international submission process but NOT an open competition for every filmmaker worldwide irrespective of ties to Ireland.
Who is eligible? The Irish-team criterion matters
Any short film below 30 minutes, including animation, fiction and documentary.
At least one of the film's producer, director or writer must be Irish.
Directors or writers of another nationality can participate with a qualifying Irish creative-team member.
The production must be a completed viewable short film, not a script, screenplay pitch or production proposal.
Submissions through FilmFreeway only; the official call expressly says no submission fee.
The festival does not run a formal competitive call for full-length feature films. A private feature screener may be sent separately for possible programme consideration, not competition entry.
Application dates
The festival officially opened entries on 19 October 2026, with a deadline of 15 December. FilmFreeway currently shows a notification date of 15 February 2027, and a provisional screening window of 7–11 April 2027. The organiser's own recent article states only 'April 2027', so treat exact event days as subject to the final calendar rather than a confirmed travel booking date.
What selected filmmakers must deliver
A high-definition copy of the accepted film in MP4 or MKV format.
A timecoded dialogue transcript/list in SRT format, supplied within a week of selection notification.
A short synopsis and complete cast and crew credit list.
One or more high-resolution stills and promotional clips for the festival catalogue, press, website and social channels.
The organisers warn that failure to supply the required SRT file makes a selected film ineligible.
Language and subtitles
English subtitles are not required at the initial FilmFreeway entry stage. Programmers nevertheless suggest adding them when dialogue has strong regional accents or idiomatic expressions, so non-Irish selectors can assess the work. After selection, the precise timed SRT transcript is mandatory irrespective of whether the initial screener carried subtitles. Plan to transcribe complex dialogue accurately, and verify ownership/clearance of recorded music and imagery before permitting public screenings.
Who organises the event?
IRISH FILM FESTA was founded in 2007 to promote Irish film and culture in Italy, and FilmFreeway lists nineteen years of programming history. It operates at Casa del Cinema and presents contemporary features, classics, Q&A events with film professionals and a distinct short-film competition. The official organiser and FilmFreeway pages state consistent 2026 submission conditions. Finalists benefit from an identifiable public cinema screening, but the organiser does not promise universal airfare, accommodation, a screening fee or a particular cash award to every entrant.
Official submission and contact
IRISH FILM FESTA official 2027 competition rules (October 2026): https://www.irishfilmfesta.org/en/2026/10/19/irish-film-festa-2027-short-film-submissions-are-open/
Official FilmFreeway IRISH FILM FESTA 2027 entry: https://filmfreeway.com/IRISHFILMFESTA
Checked 24 October 2026. No entry fee; deadline 15 December 2026; Irish producer, director or writer mandatory. Event in Rome in April 2027.