‘On the Pulse’ presents an exciting programme of film screenings, education events, talks and workshops centred on the short film genre. Each year the programme offers a contemporary season of the very best short films made for young audiences as well as showcasing short films made by local young filmmakers. ‘On the Pulse’ also illustrates the importance of short filmmaking in the development of practical skills and in the development of sustainable and long term careers.
Cinemagic is delighted to announce and open the competition strand for young filmmakers in this year’s ‘On the Pulse’ programme. In 2026 we are looking to award a prize in three genre categories – awards will be presented for the Best Irish Live Action Short, Best Irish Animated Short and Best Irish Documentary Short. The competition is open to Young Filmmakers aged 30 and under from/or living in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
In 2026 there is a new competition strand specifically for filmmakers creating short film and short programme content for Young Audiences. The competition is open to filmmakers from/or living in Ireland and Northern Ireland. This strand will have no filmmaker age restrictions.
‘On the Pulse’ is funded by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen.
*Please note: Although organised and programmed by Cinemagic Ltd. ON THE PULSE is a separate Festival/Event to the Cinemagic International Film Festival and Cinemagic Young Filmmaker.
‘ON THE PULSE’ 2026 (RULES & REGULATIONS)
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****ALL YOUNG FILMMAKER CATEGORIES****
We are looking for imaginative and original films made by young people (Aged: 30 or under, from or living in Ireland and Northern Ireland) to be screened in Belfast as part of ‘ON THE PULSE’ 2026.
A prize will be awarded for the best film in three different genre categories.
- BEST IRISH LIVE ACTION SHORT (by a young filmmaker under 30)
- BEST IRISH ANIMATED SHORT (by a young filmmaker under 30)
- BEST IRISH DOCUMENTARY SHORT (by a young filmmaker under 30)
RULES AND REGULATIONS
- ON THE PULSE is organised by the Cinemagic International Film Festival for Young People based in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
- ON THE PULSE Festival will take place in March ’26 in venues across Belfast.
- The competition elements to ON THE PULSE are open to anyone aged 30 and under from/or living in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
- We welcome submissions from individuals or groups of friends, youth and community groups and schools and colleges.
- f you are submitting a youth/community or school project the majority of the people involved in the production must be aged 30 years or under. Although we understand these projects are often mentored by professionals the production must be predominantly led by young people and young people must have devised the script/story. Young People must also have been involved in the technical side e.g. using camera/sound equipment and been involved in the edit.
- The short films must have been made in the last year. Any entries made pre-January 2025 will not be accepted.
- Films submitted must be no longer than 30 minutes in duration.
- All entries must be received digitally via FilmFreeway. We do not except physical submissions.
- Entry to the competition is FREE.
- The competition deadline is 20th February 2026.
- Not all films entered into the competition will be shortlisted and screened.
- A panel of film professionals and educators will judge each film and decide whether to shortlist the entry. Their decision is final.
- Successful entries will be informed before 1st March 2026. If you have not received any communication by this date then your film has not been selected for participation in the event.
- A final shortlist will be exhibited in Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast during the ‘2026 ON THE PULSE’ Festival.
- It is your responsibility to obtain all permission and releases from all persons (or the parent/guardian of any young persons) appearing in any associated photo/still images.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the right to show the film to a public audience (i.e. secured all music and image rights). If you do not have the permission to use the music/images in your film you cannot submit the film into the competition.
- In submitting your film you agree to all the competition regulations and confirm that all the information is true and accurate.
- Please make sure the spelling of all the names of cast/crew are correct on your entry details.
- Please note: For any Young Filmmaker under 18 all direct correspondence between the Festival and the Young Filmmaker must be made via a parent/guardian/teacher.
HOW TO ENTER – Submissions Via FilmFreeway Only.
The competition deadline is 20th February 2026.
PLEASE NOTE: THE COMPETITION IS ONLY OPEN TO YOUNG FILMMAKERS AGED 30 AND UNDER FROM OR LIVING IN IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND.
FILMS ARE TO BE NO LONGER THAN 30 MINUTES.
For more information contact Chris Shaw at Cinemagic. Email: chris@cinemagic.org.uk
The competition deadline is 20th February 2026
