20th Annual Capital Irish Film Festival Dates Announced & Submissions Open
Solas Nua celebrates two decades of presenting Irish Film and Irish filmmakers in DC
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 6, 2025) - Solas Nua, Washington, D.C.’s premier contemporary Irish arts organization, announced the 20th annual Capital Irish Film Festival (CIFF). CIFF presents one of the largest programs of Irish cinema in North America, showcasing the latest Irish dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films, and animation releases by Irish and Ireland-based filmmakers. Submissions are now open for the 20th edition of the four-day festival which takes place February 26 - March 1, 2026, in partnership with the prestigious American Film Institute's Silver Theatre and Cultural Center (Silver Spring, MD).
The festival provides a US platform that magnifies the work of independent filmmakers working in Ireland and beyond and celebrates the great contemporary cinematic culture of Ireland. The program highlights the rich cultural heritage of Ireland while also fostering an inclusive and diverse community of Irish filmmakers. Capital Irish Film Festival amplifies emerging voices on Irish screen, showcases the exceptional talent and skills in Irish filmmaking, and reflects the robust and vibrant screen industry that has grown in Ireland in recent years. Filmmakers are encouraged to share their unique stories and perspectives with us, and all short film submissions from Northern Ireland or Northern Ireland filmmakers are automatically entered into consideration for the annual Norman Houston Short Film Award.
CIFF2026 SUBMISSION TIMELINE
The regular submission deadline is September 1st, and late submissions will be accepted through October 1st. Films may be submitted via Film Freeway.
NORMAN HOUSTON SHORT FILM AWARD
The Norman Houston Short Film Award is an annual honor for the best new short film created by a filmmaker based in or from Northern Ireland, made within the previous two years. This award, including prize money of $2,500, will be presented at Solas Nua’s annual Capital Irish Film Festival, February 26 - March 1, 2026. The winning filmmaker will also be invited to Washington, D.C. to attend the screening of their film and receive the award in person at the festival.
***Former Norman Houston Award winners are eligible for consideration three years post-win.***
“Over the past two decades, Solas Nua's Capital Irish Film Festival has evolved into a vital platform for showcasing the depth and diversity of Irish cinema, championing bold Irish storytelling and amplifying the voices that are shaping the future of Irish filmmaking. Celebrating 20 years of presentation is an honour and a reminder of how far the festival and Irish screen industry have come. CIFF has always been about more than just film; it's about the value of congregating together and the power of art and ideas to foster cultural exchange and dialogue. It’s about connection, culture, and stories that resonate across borders. As we look toward 2026, we are excited to strengthen and expand our international collaborations and local partnerships, to showcase powerful films that otherwise would not screen in the US and to create unique and memorable experiences for the Washington, D.C. community, the diaspora and beyond.
— Maedhbh Mc Cullagh, Director, Capital Irish Film Festival
The Capital Irish Film Festival is supported by the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme, Culture Ireland, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Embassy of Ireland, Northern Ireland Bureau, Northern Ireland Screen, and the Irish Film Institute’s IFI International Programme supported by Culture Ireland. Solas Nua is supported by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities.
ABOUT SOLAS NUA
Solas Nua - ‘new light’ in Irish, is dedicated exclusively to contemporary Irish arts. Founded in 2005, Solas Nua acts as an ambassador and advocate for Irish arts in the U.S., promoting contemporary Irish culture, multi-disciplinary arts and creativity. Solas Nua commissions, produces and presents thought-provoking and groundbreaking work across genres, work that is cross-cultural, representing today’s Ireland – a contemporary, globally diverse society – and reflecting how Irish culture is shared across borders, ethnicity, and economic lines.
ABOUT AFI SILVER THEATRE AND CULTURAL CENTER
The AFI Silver and Cultural Center is one of the nation’s premier film theatres, building an appreciation of the art and artists through exploring and celebrating new and classic films and filmmakers from around the globe. AFI Silver offers a year-round program of the best in American and international cinema, featuring a dynamic mix of retrospectives, special events, tributes, on-stage guest appearances, specialty first-run movies, festivals, premieres and education and community-based programs in a theatrical setting of the highest standards. Anchored by the stunningly restored 1938 Silver Theatre, the three-screen AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is a state-of-the-art film and digital media exhibition venue that serves as a national model for preserving and honoring our shared film and film-going heritage. Read about all of these programs and more at AFI.com/Silver, and follow us on social media at :
Facebook.com/afisilvertheatre, youtube.com/AFISilverTheatre
X.com/AFISilver
Instagram.com/afisilvertheatre/
Capital Irish Film Festival
February 26 - March 1, 2026
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
