Following our Industry Event, First Take, at the Triskel today, Cork International Film Festival was pleased to announce the 2024 Short Film Award winners and the 2025 Parallax Emerging Film Artist Bursary Award recipient.
The Awards were announced in partnership with Murphy’s. Congratulations to all.
The Cork International Film Festival Award trophies are provided by our Trophy Partner, Cork Crystal
The awards for Grand Prix Irish Short, Grand Prix International Short and Grand Prix Documentary Short Award are Academy Award®-qualifying, ensuring that the winners in Cork automatically join the 2026 Oscars®’ long-list.
And the winners are…
Grand Prix Irish Short Award
Clodagh directed by Portia A. Buckley
Jury comments:
“This film gave us an unexpected insight into an unexpected intergenerational relationship between two people which moved us greatly. This film sparked something within all of us. The tempo, the cinematography, the acting… nothing in this film wasn’t exceptional. A film that enriches audience members with a new lease of life.”
Special mention:
Parish by Eoin Heaney
“This film took history, tradition, community and the human spirit, intertwining it in unique and unexpected way. We wandered outside the normal parameters of filmmaking and would like to give Parish a Special Mention.”
The winner of this award is eligible for the long-list of nominations for the 2026 Academy Award®.
Grand Prix International Short Award
Transylvanie directed by Rodrigue Huart
Jury comments:
“This film kept us both highly engaged, and delightfully entertained all the way up until the last shot. Exceptional performances from its young actors were central to the effectiveness of this unique short film.”
Special mention:
Duty Free by Hilke Rönnfeldt
“This film took us to a liminal world of movement and connection in a way which both intrigued us and stayed with us long after watching. We’d like to give Duty Free a Special Mention.”
The winner of this award is eligible for the long-list of nominations for the 2026 Academy Award®.
Grand Prix Documentary Short Award
Man Number 4 directed by Miranda Pennell
Jury comments:
“This film didn’t just demonstrate excellence in utilising the short film form, it also created huge impact in delivering its vital message. The film built gradually in an expert manner to reveal the horror of its complete picture. All jury members were strongly moved by this film in a profound and lasting way.”
Special mentions:
Friedl by Christiana Perschon
“This short film reminded us of the simplicity and joy of the short filmmaking form when it’s utilised effectively. We’d like to give Friedl a special mention.”
Southern Brides by Elena López Riera
“The interviewing skill demonstrated, and the insight gathered in this film was both moving and entertaining in equal measure. We’d like to give Southern Brides a Special Mention.”
The winner of this award is eligible for the long-list of nominations for the 2026 Academy Award®.
Best Director: Irish Short Award
Farmers!? directed by Freddie Leyden
Jury comments:
“We were all left wanting to see more from this director. The vision presented by the director surprised us and hooked us in a way none of us expected and delivered a one of a kind short film experience. This kind of wild and vibrant filmmaking should be encouraged and nurtured.”
Supported by
Best Cork Short Award
Breakfast Roll directed by Remi Alfallah, Shannon Haly
Jury comments:
“Great chemistry shone on screen and demonstrated talent in all aspects of this film’s production. The result is an engaging and encouraging short film, and we look forward to seeing more from this filmmaking team, who clearly have huge potential.”
Short Film Candidate for the European Film Awards 2025
Man Number 4 directed by Miranda Pennell
Jury comments:
“His film is not just remarkable, but deserves the widest platform possible. For this reason, and the ones already mentioned, we’d like to put Man Number 4 forward as the Short Film Candidate for EFA 2025.”
2025 Parallax Emerging Film Artist Bursary recipient
Sarah Lou Kinneen
