Founded in 1997 as the Irish School’s Video Competition, Fresh Film was originally a schools competition for secondary students. It has since grown into a year round organisation with a focus on national and international filmmakers spanning the primary and secondary age groups. ‘Fresh International Film Festival’ now includes ‘Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards `, which constitute three sections – Junior (7-12 years) – Senior (12- 18 years) – The International (7-19 years). Each section is open to individual filmmakers, schools, youth and community groups.

Fresh Film runs programmes throughout the year under five headings; Fresh Events, Fresh Education, Fresh International, Fresh Production and Fresh International Film Festival.