The decision has been taken by Ireland’s national screen body to close applications to the previously scheduled next development round in August.
In a statement on their website, Screen Ireland highlighted the agency’s decision to redirect its focus and increase funding in recent months towards new development schemes as reason for this change, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
As well as allocating additional funding to screenplay development, Screen Ireland has created three new funding schemes that are currently in the process of being administered and assessed. These include the Strategic Slate Development Fund for companies, the Enhanced Project Development Fund and the Director's Conceptual Development Fund: the agency's first scheme focusing primarily on the director's creative vision.
Screen Ireland outlined that “to prioritise the successful projects from these schemes, as well as the safe return to production, the August development round has been closed for applications.”
The next Development Funding deadline will be October 30th, 2020.
Screen Ireland announced a €1 million COVID-19 Production Fund at the end of June, which intends to support industry recovery, by partially offsetting the costs of implementing safety guidelines measures on set, costs which could prohibit productions getting back up and running.
€3.2 million was awarded to 26 production companies by Screen Ireland in Strategic Slate Development Funding.
Click here for more information about Development, Production, and Distribution funding schemes.