Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland has announced that Nathan Griffin has been awarded a Screen Ireland skills development scholarship in partnership with IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam) to attend the IDFAcademy training programme taking place from 14-17 November 2024.
Nathan is a co-director of Loose Banana Productions, a bilingual (Irish/English) production company. The company is currently in development with Screen Ireland on its debut feature documentary Jamie Griffin: Merlin Twist and debut feature film Caul. During 2024, Nathan has produced Come Back, as part of Screen Ireland's flagship short film scheme - Focus Short, as well as I'm Yours for RTÉ Storyland, which are both in post-production and due to release later this year.
Nathan graduated from Screen Ireland and Technological University Dublin's Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Producing in 2023 with a First Class Honour, having completed SETU/Nemeton’s Irish language Higher Diploma in TV and Media Production in 2021. In 2022, Nathan produced and directed the Irish language short documentary Big Griff: Lánchúlaí, which travelled extensively on the festival circuit and aired on TG4 in 2023.
He is the director and producer of the upcoming feature documentary Jamie Griffin: Merlin Twist, which he developed as part of IGNITE-Docs, a Screen Ireland-supported cross-border documentary talent development programme from Cork International Film Festival and Docs Ireland. Jamie Griffin: Merlin Twist follows a generational teen skateboarding talent, who utilises the power of social media to elevate himself from rural isolation to global stardom, but in turn grapples with the reality of compromising his own autonomy to make his digital dreams come true. The project charts Jamie's story from being a 17-year-old schoolboy posting tricks on social media from his cramped country shed to winning one of skateboarding's biggest flatground competitions, all while struggling to hide the personal turmoil bubbling up within his personal life.
Nathan will attend the 4-day programme for emerging creative talent which include industry talks from leading documentary filmmakers, round table discussions, group sessions, as well as case studies on the international documentary market, current trends and insights helping participants develop a broad view of the sector.
Speaking about the Scholarship, Griffin said: “It's a real privilege to have the opportunity to attend the IDFAcademy under the Screen Ireland Scholarship. I hope to utilise the expert insight on offer across the four-day program to help elevate the development of Merlin Twist, as well as forging new relationships with international filmmakers for future collaborations.”
Click here for more information about the IDFAcademy at the IDFA Film Festival Amsterdam.
