Submit Your SmartPhone Film
Submit Your Smartphone Film – Unleash your inner filmmaker with your smartphone! Capture your unique vision and share your story with the world. Submit your short film today and compete for exciting prizes and global recognition.
Why Submit?
Submission Information
- June 1st, 2026 Opening Date
- July 31, 2026 Early bird Deadline
- February 8th, 2027 Regular Deadline
- March 8th, 2027 Notification Date
- April 10th, 2027 Event Date
Full Price: 16 Euro
**Production Requirements**
All films must be captured exclusively using a smartphone or tablet. Submissions filmed entirely on DSLR cameras, action cameras, camcorders, cinema cameras, or any other non-mobile devices are not eligible for competition.
Drone footage is permitted, but must not exceed 5% of the total film. The other 95% of footage must be shot on a smartphone.
The use of additional production equipment, including lighting, tripods, gimbals, microphones, and other audio or camera support accessories, is permitted and encouraged to help filmmakers achieve the highest possible production quality.
Post-production may be completed using any editing software and may include visual effects, colour grading, sound design, and creative filter applications. The use of artistic filter and enhancement apps is also permitted.
AI Usage Policy
AI-assisted films are welcome, provided that all AI-generated content is created, assembled, and edited directly on a smartphone or tablet.
The filmmaker must retain primary creative control throughout the production process. AI tools should be used to support and enhance the storytelling process, rather than replace the filmmaker’s creative decision-making.
Films that incorporate footage captured on a smartphone or tablet and subsequently enhanced, modified, or augmented using AI tools are eligible for submission.
To ensure compliance with festival rules and maintain the integrity of the competition, the festival team and judging panel reserve the right to request behind-the-scenes materials, screen recordings, project files, or other supporting documentation to verify the authenticity of the production process and the use of mobile devices.
All entries must be an original production and must not infringe on the copyright, trademark, or intellectual property rights of any individual or entity.
Films must **not exceed 15 minutes in total runtime**.
Any film with a runtime of **more than 15 minutes** will be automatically disqualified and will not be considered for judging or included in the festival screening programme.
Please ensure you verify your film’s runtime before submitting, as submission fees for films exceeding **15 minutes** are strictly non-refundable.
We welcome films in any language. However, English subtitles are required for entries not in English. Films submitted without burnt in English subs will be automatically disqualified and will not be considered for judging or included in the festival screening programme. Submission fees for films excluding English subs are strictly non-refundable.
A small entry fee is charged to help cover the administrative costs of running the festival.
It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all content has been cleared for use prior to submission. Any copyright infringement issues are the responsibility of the filmmaker. The Dublin Smartphone Film Festival and its team accept no liability for any such violations.
By submitting a film, participants agree to the reproduction and dissemination of their work for promotional purposes, including display in social media, at other film festivals, and on television.
When do submissions open?
Submissions open for 2026 on June 1st, 2025
Does the Film have to be shot on a phone?
Yes, all films must be shot exclusively on a Smartphone or Tablet. DSLR, GoPro, camcorders, and similar devices are not accepted. However, additional production equipment such as lights, tripods, booms, and sound equipment are permitted. Insert or additional footage captured using drones or zoom is allowed in moderation.
Do the films have to be edited on the phone?
No, you can use additional editing software for post-production, audio, and Visual effects. Filter apps (Prisma) are allowed and encouraged, but auto-editing apps will not be accepted.
How long can a film be?
Entries should not exceed 15 minutes in duration. We accept longer films on a case-by-case basis. Films that are longer than 15 minutes and have yet to be cleared by the festival team will be automatically disqualified without notification to the filmmaker or a refund of the entry fee.
Which countries are eligible to participate?
The festival is open to filmmakers from every country. We welcome submissions in any language, but please include English subtitles if your entries are not in English.
How much is it to enter?
The Dublin Smartphone Film Festival charges a small entry fee of €11 to cover administration costs.
Do all the films have to be original works?
Yes, all entries must be original productions and must not infringe on any individual's copyright, trademark, or other rights. Submissions must have full clearance for all content before submitting. Any issues arising from copyright infringement are the applicant's sole responsibility. The Dublin Smartphone Film Festival and its members are not responsible for any copyright infringements.
Is drone footage permitted?
You can use drone footage in moderation. 5% of footage shot using a drone is acceptable in conjunction with footage shot on mobile phones.
Celebrating 9 Years!
IMDb Registered Festival
Celebrating 9 Years!
Programming
Each year, we program between 25-30 of the best smartphone films from around the world and share them with you. The selected films are programmed as part of our annual Gala event.
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Schools and Organizations we work with..
We work with a number of schools and organizations around the country helping to make filmmaking accessible to students of all ages. Expensive technology shouldn’t be a barrier to entry. Expensive cameras and access to them limit students’ choices in terms of a career in film. We help show students that film and a future career in film is possible using the power they have in their pocket.







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