The objective of Cork Film Festival is to celebrate the art of film in all its forms. The artistic approach is eclectic. Through screenings and associated events, the festival aims to present a wide spectrum of contemporary filmmaking - feature films, documentaries, animation, short films, experimental and student work.

In particular the Cork Film Festival supports the short-film, believing it to be both an art form in its own right and also the medium through which young filmmakers enter the film industry. The festival is conscious of its obligation to support Irish filmmakers - both professional and student - and to keep pace with developments in the Irish film industry.

It is committed to developing its education programme through the establishment of UnReel, a stand-alone festival for young audiences. An additional objective of the festival is now to explore the potential and challenges of audio-visual technologies and to reflect on the artistic and social implications of these developments.