Main Festival Submissions
CINEMAGIC BELFAST – OCTOBER 2026 (37th EDITION) An International Film Festival for Young People
Call For Entries – Main Festival
Cinemagic is an international film festival for young people based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was established in 1990 and over the years it has developed a worldwide reputation for excellence in children’s programming and is currently the largest award-winning children’s film festival in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The festival includes international film screenings, movie premieres, industry Q&A’s, discussions, and master classes in all aspects of filmmaking.
Entry Information
*Please note – Feature Film entries can only by submitted via the official online entry form (Not via FilmFreeway)
SHORT FILMS (UNDER 20 MINS)
The Cinemagic short film programme is a competitive category with a monetary prize, physical award and certificate presented to winning filmmakers in the following categories:
BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FOR A CHILDREN’S AUDIENCE
BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FOR A TEENAGE AUDIENCE
BEST IRISH MADE SHORT FILM FOR A FAMILY AUDIENCE
Please note: We have x 2 international categories and a bespoke category for Irish made films only. We reserve the right to change award headings & create additional awarded strands.
Shortlisted films will screen publicly, and winners will be judged by the audience members in attendance.
Films made within the years 2025 – 2026 are eligible for competition. We are interested in all types of films and programmes made for children and young people from preschool through to young adult.
Please enter via ‘FilmFreeway‘. Alternatively, you can also send an online screener link along with an official completed competition entry form to chris@cinemagic.org.uk
*All entries should be in English or in their original language with English subtitles.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: 24th July 2026.
Entries will be viewed by a previewing committee including a panel of young programmers (Cinemagic’s ‘Young Consultants’). Successful entrants will be notified by 14th August 2026.
FEATURE FILMS
The Cinemagic feature film programme is a competitive category with a physical award and certificate presented to winning filmmakers in the following categories:
BEST FEATURE FILM FOR A CHILDREN’S AUDIENCE
BEST FEATURE FILM FOR A YOUTH AUDIENCE
BEST FEATURE FILM FOR A TEENAGE AUDIENCE
Please note: The feature category is open to submissions from all over the world. We reserve the right to change award headings & create additional awarded strands.
Shortlisted films will screen publicly and will be judged by juries of children and young people.
Please note: There is no monetary prize in the Feature Film categories.
Films made within the years 2024 – 2026 are eligible for competition. We are interested in all types of films and programmes made for children and young people from preschool through to young adult.
HOW TO ENTER – Please note: We do not accept Feature Film entries via FilmFreeway. All Feature Films must be entered by completing the Official Festival Entry Form. Please email an online screening link to your film along with an entry form to chris@cinemagic.org.uk
*All entries should be in English or in their original language with English subtitles.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: 24th July 2026
Entries will be viewed by a previewing committee including a panel of young programmers (Cinemagic’s ‘Young Consultants’). Successful entrants will be notified by 14th August 2026.