This month, escape to France with a free weekend of cinema (17-19 July), including sun-soaked romantic adventures, award-winning family dramas, and special nod to football fans with our closing film. The late deadline for film submissions to the 71st Festival is fast approaching, and check out ways to get involved and become part of our dynamic film community as a CIFF volunteer.
We are also thrilled to announce some recent funding news for our Children & Young Peopleâs Arts (CYPA) activities, and remind you that the deadline to apply for a role as CYPA Project Coordinator is this Wednesday 8th July.
Escape to France this Bastille Day
FRI 17 – SUN 19 JUL | UCC LIBRARY | FREE BUT TICKETED
Transport yourself to France with a vibrant weekend of FREE film screenings at UCC Library (Friday 17 â Sunday 19 July), celebrating the very best of contemporary French cinema.
Marking the national day of France – Bastille Day (14th July) – and presented in partnership with the French Embassy in Ireland, Institut français and UCC Library, the curated programme showcases acclaimed contemporary French features, inspiring short film collections, a family-friendly animation programme, and a special closing film celebrating football pioneer Marinette Pichon.
All films are FREE but ticketed, and will be screening in UCC Library.
Late Submissions Deadline
As an Academy AwardÂź, BAFTA, EFA and BIFA-qualifying festival, CIFF is the perfect platform to share your story with the world. The Festival invites submissions of feature films, shorts, and all forms of filmmaking, from fiction and documentary to animation and experimental.â
Submission Deadlines:â
- Features & International Shorts: Friday, 31 Julyâ
- Irish Shorts: Friday, 7 August
Children & Young Peopleâs Arts Project Coordinator
Cork International Film Festival is seeking a passionate and experienced CYPA (Children & Young Peopleâs Arts) Project Coordinator to lead the delivery of our youth and education programmes for the 71st Festival.â
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This exciting short-term contract (JulyâDecember 2026) offers the opportunity to work across a range of impactful initiatives, including schools programmes, youth filmmaking projects, climate-focused education activities, careers workshops, and community engagement programmes.â
Application deadline: 5pm, Wednesday 8 Julyâ .
Volunteering at Cork International Film Festival
Cork International Film Festival is celebrating its 71st edition from Thursday 12th to Sunday 22nd November, and we are looking for passionate and dedicated volunteers to help make this yearâs event unforgettable.
Volunteering at CIFF isnât just about lending a hand â itâs a unique chance to become part of a dynamic community, contribute to the arts in Cork, and gain invaluable experience in a world-class festival setting.
Volunteer registration is now open and we would love to hear from you.
AerĂĄid Programme: Funding Received
Cork International Film Festival is delighted to announce that it has been awarded funding through ESBâs Energy for Generations Fund to support its AerĂĄid Youth Film & Climate Action programme.
Following a pilot edition at the 70th Festival and in April 2026, we look forward to launching AerĂĄid later this year. The programme aims to empower young people to explore climate action through filmmaking, creativity and collaboration, providing a platform for their voices and ideas on one of the defining issues of our time.
Look@Me Programme: Impact Report
Last summer, with support from the Rethink Ireland Impact Fund, Cork International Film Festival and Cork Migrant Centre delivered a six-week community filmmaking programme for teenagers from migrant backgrounds. You can read the full Rethink Ireland Impact Report here.
Our Look@Me Programme will run again this summer with the Cork Migrant Centre with an expanded training element for the Centreâs mentors. The resulting short films created by the young people will premiere at our 71st Festival this November.
Forthcoming films at our Principal Venue Partner, The Arc Cinema & at GATE Screen
Need a break from the heat? Our Principal Venue Partner, The Arc Cinema Cork, has a plethora of brilliant blockbusters coming up this month, while GATE Screen â located in Screen 6 â showcases curated indie and international films all year round.
Championing independent filmmakers and supporting local talent, GATE Screen offers a truly boutique arthouse cinema experience, with beautifully coloured soft velvet seating, intimate décor, double sofa seats and in-screen tables, creating the perfect setting for cinematic treat.
