Boston Irish Film Festival Productions, a non-profit entity with 501(c) 3 status, was set up in 1999 to celebrate and promote global Irish cinema. The festival quickly became the largest event of its kind outside Ireland. It provides exhibition, distribution, and educational opportunities for filmmakers; honors their work with awards; and produces original documentaries on contemporary Irish cinema.

In 2003, the festival inaugurated the annual Irish Film Festival, Boston Awards, offering filmmakers awards in four categories:

• Best Film

• Best Documentary

• Best Short Fiction/Animation

• Director’s Choice.

The award offerings also include the annual Excellence Award, which honors those filmmakers whose work brings the very best of Ireland and the Irish to audiences around the world.

BIFF Productions, Inc. was founded in 2008 and has since administered the Festival.