The second round deadline for applying for the Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF) has been extended to 12pm on Friday 25th July 2014. The scheme offers both development and production funding for a wide range of TV genres.
The ILBF was set to fund Irish language content of high quality, as well as to develop the Irish speaking independent production sector in Northern Ireland. The fund finances a minimum of 70 hours of Irish language content per year, which is broadcast on BBC Northern Ireland, TG4 and RTÉ.
The ILBF also provides funding for a number of training courses for Irish speakers wishing to work or who are already working in the production sector in Northern Ireland. It provided funding for shows such as ‘Ar Bealach na Gaeltachta’ and ‘Seoidiní Staire’, which are now airing on BBC2 Northern Ireland and TG4, respectively. The ILBF also supported popular Irish language drama ‘Scúp’, which recently aired its second season.
Applicants to the Irish Language Broadcast Fund should be able to provide clear evidence that the content will reach a substantial audience in Northern Ireland once produced, normally through commitment from an appropriate broadcaster. The minimum Irish language content requirement is 70% of the spoken word. Evidence of match funding must be provided.
Funding applications accepted by the ILBF Investment Committee will also consider:
- contribution to the status and promotion of the Irish language;
- quality of the proposal;
- audience appeal;
- audience accessibility;
- contribution to the growth and development of the Irish speaking independent production sector in Northern Ireland;
- evidence that the project is additional to the programming levels already undertaken by the attached broadcaster.
The ILBF holds three funding rounds per year. The last round was 12pm Friday 28th March 2014, the next is 12pm Friday 25th July, and the last round is to be confirmed.
More information on the ILBF, including how to apply, can be found here.
