TG4 have announced two new short film initiatives following the success of Cine4, both of which are open for submissions until 3pm Monday 9th September 2024.
TG4 and Screen Ireland have come together with the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, following the success of the investment made in the Cine4 and TG4/Fís Éireann Television Drama Development scheme, to reach the next generation of writers.
Two joint initiatives for Irish language shorts have been announced, Tús 2024 and Céim Eile 2024. See below for more info.
Tús 2024
Short Film Script Initiative for New Writers & Creators from Ireland (12 min maximum)
The aim of this joint initiative, ‘Tús’, is to encourage, foster and promote new drama in Irish and to support various Irish speaking creative voices at an early stage of their careers, including a ‘Súil Eile’ approach. Applicants must partner with an experienced production company as part of the submission with the capacity to bring the film to completion in both development and production stages.
It is hoped that these stories will have an impact on audiences both nationally in Ireland and also globally and will provide insight into new and diverse storytelling, new and diverse communities and contemporary society. The pre-scripted plays should be between 10 and 12 minutes.
Up to ten projects will be selected and will be awarded a development budget of €6,000 each, which will be shared with a script editor mentor during the development journey.
Up to three short-form scripts from the 10 shortlisted will be awarded €30,000 each to produce their film.
Céim Eile 2024
Half – Hour Short Film Script Initiative for New Writers & Creators from Ireland
(25 – 30 mins)
The aim of this joint initiative, ‘Céim Eile’, is to encourage emerging Irish speaking talent. Fluent Irish speakers must be confirmed in project submissions. Applicants must partner with an experienced production company as part of the submission with the capacity to bring the film to completion in both development and production stages.
The stories should be diverse, innovative and ambitious and challenging in terms of content, style and approach.
Up to eight projects will be selected and will be awarded a development budget of €15,000 each which will be shared with a script editor mentor during the development journey.
Up to three projects will ultimately be selected for production with a budget of €100,000 each.
The main aim of the fund:
- To encourage new emerging talent
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- To encourage Irish script writing
- To attract a national and global audience towards Irish language stories
- To create Opportunity, Mentoring, Training through the Irish language
Applications should include the following:
- Title
- Tag-line and USP
- Premise and theme
- Short treatment – tell the story in your own words
- Why this drama for TG4
- Genre
- The recommended audience
- Description of the main characters and their journey
- The Creative team
- All submissions need to have a Production company onboard from the start.
For further information about both rounds please contact:
Máire Uí Choisdealbha maire.ui.choisdealbha@tg4.ie
All proposals need to be submitted electronically to TG4 before 3pm Monday 9th September 2024. Production companies need to first make sure they are registered on TG4’s eCommissioning system, and then upload before the deadline by selecting ‘Tús 2024’ nó ‘Céim Eile 2024’ , from the dropdown menu. Applicants will receive an automatic acknowledgment when their proposal has been submitted. Proposals will not be accepted after the deadline.
Any questions in relation to this round and project suitability can be sent to Julieann Ní Fhátharta at Julieann.ni.fhatharta@tg4.ie
