Belfast Film Festival

About Belfast Film Festival

The 26th Belfast Film Festival will take place in November 2026. We are looking for submissions from the island of Ireland for our shorts programme and our NI Independents feature film strand. SHORT FILMS We only accept fiction shorts either made on the island of Ireland, north

Awards this festival can qualify you for

• BAFTA Short · British Short Film

  Acceptance into at least two BAFTA-qualifying festivals makes a British short eligible for the EE BAFTA British Short Film award.

• BIFA Best Film · Best British Independent Film

  In-person official selection at this BIFA Section A festival is sufficient (one Section A festival confers eligibility; the alternative is two Section B British festivals). No win required. Online-only screenings do not qualify. British independent film (BFI cultural test). 2026 window: 1 Nov 2025 to 30 Nov 2026.

• BIFA Short · Best British Short Film

  In-person official selection is sufficient; no win or competition placement required. BIFA Short Section A: one Section A festival confers eligibility. British production, under 40 minutes.

Belfast Film Festival submission FAQ

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