TY on Track

TY on Track: Short Film Competition

TY on Track is a new national short film competition from Iarnród Éireann, inviting Transition Year students across Ireland to imagine the future of rail. We want to hear your ideas, your creativity and your vision for what rail could look like in 2050.

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What do you want rail to look like in 2050?

What will your perfect train journey look like? How could technology change the way we travel? How can rail better connect communities and create opportunities for young people?

The Challenge

Create a 3–5 minute short film answering the question: What do young people in Ireland want rail to look like in 2050? Your film could explore themes such as technology & innovation, education & opportunity, communities & rural Ireland, the future of travel, climate & sustainability, or accessibility & inclusion or any other theme you think fitting for the challenge.

You can enter on your own or work as part of a team. You don’t need professional filmmaking equipment or previous experience as your phone, your ideas and your imagination are enough. There are no right answers, we want to see your ideas and your vision for the future of rail.

The Prizes

Think big, there are some great prizes up for grabs! The winning entry will receive iPads, a TY class trip and a trophy, while 2nd place will win GoPro cameras and a trophy, and 3rd place will receive Creator Kits and a trophy.

Get creative. Imagine the future. You could take home the top prize!

Who Can Enter?

TY on Track is open to Transition Year students attending post-primary schools in the Republic of Ireland. You can enter one entry either:

Individually: Create and submit your film yourself.
As a team: Work with up to three other TY students to create your film.

Competition Timeline

September: Register your school/team and start thinking about your idea.
October: Join our webinar for guidance on the competition and creating your film.
November: Register your interest before the deadline.
January: Upload your completed 3-5 minute film before the submission deadline.
February: A judging panel will review all eligible entries against the judging criteria.
April: Shortlisted films will be invited to a showcase and awards event.

Think Before You Film

Your safety along with the safety of our customers and colleagues is our priority.

You should not visit a railway station, railway line or railway facility to make your film.

You should create your entire film safely:

At home
At school, with your teacher’s supervision
In another safe location away from the railway

You can use online railway clips, images, photos and other readily available materials. You should not record your own footage at a railway station or railway environment.

Important: You must not film on or near the railway. Any footage recorded on or near the railway and included in your submitted film will result in disqualification from the competition.

Please make sure that anyone appearing recognisably in your film has given permission to be filmed and for their image to be used as part of the competition. For anyone under 18, permission should be obtained from their parent or legal guardian, in addition to any permission required by their school. Do not include people's personal information in your film, including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses or other private information. Do not film people in situations where they would reasonably expect privacy.

Your film must be your own work. You must have permission to use any music, photographs, video clips, artwork, graphics, logos or other material that you did not create yourself. Do not use copyrighted music or footage unless you have the appropriate permission or licence. If you are unsure whether you can use something in your film, leave it out or check with your teacher before submitting.

Films must be suitable for a school audience. Entries must not contain offensive, discriminatory, hateful or threatening content, bullying or harassment, sexually explicit content, graphic violence, dangerous stunts or activities, content that encourages illegal or unsafe behaviour, personal or confidential information about another person or content that could reasonably cause harm or distress to another person. We want students to have the freedom to be creative, challenge ideas and imagine different futures, while ensuring the competition remains a safe and respectful environment for everyone.

Safety First

Your safety and the safety of everyone around you, comes first.

You should not film:

• On or near railway tracks

• On railway infrastructure

• At level crossings

• On railway platforms or in stations

• Anywhere on or near the railway

Where can you film?

• At school, with your teacher's supervision

• At home

• In another safe location away from the railway

You will never need to enter a railway environment to take part in this competition.

You can also use online clips, images, photographs, animation, graphics, interviews or other creative materials to bring your idea to life.

Do not record your own footage on or near the railway.

If footage recorded on or near the railway tracks is included in your competition entry, your entry will be disqualified.

Never put yourself, your friends, your classmates or anyone else at risk for a video.

If you are travelling by train or visiting a station

Never enter railway tracks.
Only cross railway tracks at designated crossings and only when it is safe and permitted to do so.
At stations, always stay behind the yellow safety line, except when boarding or getting off a train.
Always follow instructions from railway staff.
Follow your schools and your parents’/guardians’ safety guidance.

Be creative. Stay safe. Your idea is what matters!

Ready to Get TY on Track?

Get creative. Think big. Imagine the future. Whether your vision involves faster trains, greener journeys, smarter technology, better connections between rural communities or something we haven't thought of yet, we want to hear it.

Click here to download the information pack

Registrations close: 5pm on 20 November 2026

Submissions close: 5pm on 29 January 2027

Click Here To Register

Terms & Conditions

(1) Eligibility

1.1 The competition is open to Transition Year students attending post-primary schools in the Republic of Ireland.
1.2 Entrants may participate individually or in teams of up to four students.
1.3 Each team must nominate one student or teacher as the point-of-contact for the entry.
1.4 Iarnród Éireann reserves the right to request confirmation of eligibility.

(2) Entry requirements

2.1 Entries must be submitted by 5pm on 29th January 2027.
2.2 Films must be between 3 and 5 minutes in length, including credits.
2.3 Films must answer: “What do young people in Ireland want rail to look like in 2050?”
2.4 Entries must be submitted in the format specified in the competition information pack.
2.5 Entries submitted after the deadline may not be accepted.

(3) Originality and Ownership

3.1 Entrants must ensure that their film is their own original work.
3.2 Entrants must have obtained all necessary permissions and licences for any third-party material included in their film.
3.3 By submitting an entry, entrants confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the film does not infringe the copyright, trademark, privacy or other rights of another person.

(4) Use of Submitted Films

4.1 By entering the competition, entrants grant Iarnród Éireann permission to use their submitted film for purposes connected with the competition and youth engagement activity, including showcasing entries at the awards event and promoting TY on Track.
4.2 Any wider use of shortlisted or winning films will be subject to the permissions and consent arrangements set out in the entry form.
4.3 Iarnród Éireann may use extracts, still images or photographs from submitted films for competition-related communications, subject to the relevant permissions.

(5) Safeguarding and Consent

5.1 Entrants are responsible for ensuring that appropriate consent has been obtained from anyone appearing recognisably in their film.
5.2 For participants or others under 18, parent/guardian consent must be obtained.
5.3 Entrants must comply with the safety guidance provided as part of the competition.
5.4 Iarnród Éireann reserves the right to remove or disqualify any entry that does not comply with the safety, safeguarding or content requirements.

(6) Judging and Prizes

6.1 Eligible entries will be assessed against the published judging criteria.
6.2 The judges' decision will be final, subject to any applicable competition rules.
6.3 Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or an alternative prize.
6.4 Iarnród Éireann reserves the right to substitute a prize with an alternative prize of equal or greater value where circumstances outside its reasonable control make this necessary.
6.5 Prizes will be awarded to the winning entry or entries as determined by the judging panel. Submitting an entry does not guarantee the entrant, or team will receive a prize.

(7) Disqualification

Iarnród Éireann reserves the right to disqualify an entry where:

The entry does not meet the eligibility requirements.
The film exceeds or falls below the permitted duration.
The entry is submitted after the deadline.
The film contains unsafe, inappropriate or unlawful content.
If footage recorded on or near the railway tracks is included in your competition entry, your entry will be disqualified.
The use of drones is strictly prohibited.
The entrant has not obtained the required permissions.
The entry infringes another person's intellectual property or other rights.
The entrant has otherwise failed to comply with these Terms & Conditions.

(8) Changes to the Competition

Iarnród Éireann reserves the right to amend the competition timeline, requirements or arrangements where necessary. Any significant changes will be communicated to participating schools and entrants.

(9) Data Protection

Personal information collected as part of the competition will be handled in accordance with Iarnród Éireann's applicable privacy and data protection policies. Information will be used for purposes including administering the competition, contacting entrants, organising the showcase and awards event, and managing relevant permissions and consents. Further information on how personal data is processed is available in the Iarnród Éireann Privacy Notice.