Fresh Film Festival (Ireland)

The Fresh International Film Festival () is a festival for young people which takes place in Limerick, Ireland each Spring.

Founded in 1997, the event was originally known as the "Irish Schools Video Competition". The annual festival includes its competitive event, Ireland's Young Filmmaker of the Year, which screens films made by young people aged between 7 and 18 years.

Events

The festival's main stated aim is to encourage young people to make films. The festival also hosts workshops and meetings for young filmmakers. Workshops, undertaken at past events, have included a videogame design workshop and a filmmaking workshop by Eugene O'Connor.

Screenings of feature films also occur at the festival. Past screenings have included the animated feature film Persepolis at the 2011 event. The films selected for screening at the 2004 event were all based on the theme of "war".

Award winners

Awards at the event, including "Ireland's Young Filmmaker of the Year", are judged by a number of film and education professionals and the 1st and 2nd prize winners at the previous years competition. The award ceremony for the senior category is held in March/April. Past winners have included:

Best short film (senior award)

2025: "Abhaile" - by Emma Whelan
2024: "Ivy" - by Fiachra Cotter O'Culachain
2023: "The Tell-Tale Heart" - by Max Hendrickson
2022: "The Least I Can Do" - by SeÃÂ¡n Tracey
2021: "Learning to Dance Like a Bird" - by Ella Nethercott, Dublin
2020: "Pirates"- Directed by Cal O'Driscoll
2019: "Rue"- Directed by Sean Treacy
2018: "Choice" - Directed by John Farrelly
2017: "Hidden Potential" - Directed by Eamonn McMahon
2016: "Poppies" - Directed by Rachel McGill, Limerick
2014: "The Perfect Place" - by Dara O'Cairbre
2012: "Together in Dreams" - by David Brazil, Conor Igoe, Shane O'Brien, Dublin
2011: "4:27 AM" -Directed by SeÃÂ¡n Murphy
2010: "Dystopia" by SeÃÂ¡n Conroy from Dublin
2009: "The Grim Trials of Vida Novac" by Nicholas Sheridan from Wexford
2008: "Alien Verbatim" by Laurence Snashall from Schull
2007: "Hang Up Noise Man" by Re Productions from Dublin
2006: "The Cycle" dir. Eoghan McQuinn from Dublin
2005: "The Vent" dir. Glenn Lambert DublinMade Films, Dublin
2004: " The Boy's Revenge" dir. Jonathan Lambert, DublinMade Films, Dublin
2003: "The Unmentionable" dir. DÃÂ³nal Foreman & Danny McMahon, DogDay Films, Dublin
2002: "Weird Evolution" dir. Emlyn Lewis, Cavan
2001: "Oxygen" by Jeremy O'Hanlon, Dublin
2000: "After The War" by Vincent Lambe, Dublin
1999: "The Jock Club and the Mellon Collie Death of Eugene Nerdlinger" dir. Anthony Kinsella - C13 Pictures

Radharc Trust: Documentary Award

This category is sponsored by the Radharc Trust. Past winners have included:

2012: "Joy Ride" by Southhill Youth Space, Limerick
2011: "The First Rose" by 5th Class Scoil Eoin
2008: "Sneakers" by Patrickswell National School, Limerick

Brown Bag Animation Award

The animation award is supported by Brown Bag Films. Previous winners have included:

2011: "Ages Ago" by Ryan and Mark Buckley
2010: "Reflection" by Alfie Hollingsworth and Dylan Bickerton
2009: "The Show-Offs" by Colaiste Chiarain, Croom, Limerick
2008: "The Last Penguin" by Sacred Heart School, Portlaoise
2007: "UpsideDown Goldfish" directed by Bryan O'Sullivan, Cork