Festival Funding: Large Scale Irish Film Festivals

About the Fund 

Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland provides funding to a limited number of large, national Irish film festivals and film markets focused on Irish film, television, animation, documentaries and shorts with strong industry engagement. Successful applicants will provide an exceptional opportunity for Irish and international creative screen professionals to engage, learn and do business against the backdrop of a buzzing film festival which promotes and screens a wide range of Irish films.

The festival should provide unique opportunities to promote Irish screen talent and their films whilst also encouraging screen industry professionals to engage in discussions on the most relevant issues critical to the future growth of the sector and to connect through critical- debate and analysis of screen content. A strong engagement with international screen industry professional is encouraged.  

Who Can Apply 

This fund is limited to national film and television festivals of scale taking place on the Island of Ireland with a strong creative screen industry offering. It is important to note that this fund is not intended to cover the complete costs of staging proposed events/activities and should be viewed as a contributory industry partner. 

Application deadlines

• For film festivals taking place during the period September 1st to December 31st 2026: Deadline April 13th 2026.
• For film festivals taking place during the period January 1st to April 30th 2027: Deadline September 7th 2026.
• For film festivals taking place during the period May 1st to August 30th 2027: Deadline January 18th 2027.

How to Apply 

If this is your first time applying to Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, please email marketing@screenireland.ie before you begin the application process.

Applications should be made on Screen Ireland’s Applications Portal. 

Applications should consist of: 

• A detailed festival proposal which outlines details on all industry events and explains how the event/activity links to the work of the Screen Ireland and aligns to one or more of the agency’s strategic objectives.

• An organisation outline (including details of the board and governance procedures)  

• A detailed budget for the festival to include other sources of funding/finance  

• Accounts – the most recent set of audited accounts.

How are applications evaluated?  

When evaluating the applications, the following will be examined: 

• A festival programme which offers a range of events to film industry professionals to engage in discussions and debate or market and co-production opportunities for projects in development and pre-production. 

• A festival programme which offers a strong representation of Screen Ireland funded content and helps to promote Irish film within the life cycle of the project particularly in terms of supporting its theatrical release or quest for sales and distribution partners. 

• A festival's commitment to develop strong industry involvement and its ability to attract key overseas delegates to participate in the programme to offer networking opportunities with appropriate Irish talent from a creative point of view.  

• The ability to offer a platform to Irish projects and talent to reach established, new and diverse audiences. 

• Festivals who make a commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality within the programme of the festival. 

• Track record of the festival. Preference will be given to festivals in operation for 3 years or more. 

• Distinguishing elements eg: use of social media, outstanding industry programmes and events and the use of new and diverse ways to build and develop audiences for Irish film.  

Assessment Criteria	Marks Available %	Minimum score required
(A) Festival Programme including Screen Ireland funded film screenings, masterclasses, panels and industry events. Points will be allocated in relation to the achievement of Screen Ireland’s strategic objectives under the audience and talent development pillars.	50	20
(B) Range of international and local industry guest involvement	10	5
(C) The extent to which the proposal set out is realistic and achievable.	10	5
(D) The marketing and publicity with regard to audience engagement for the festival films and events targeting a diverse audience.	10	5
(E) The relevant experience of the applicant having regard to the event / activity proposed. In this regard, should an applicant have previously secured funding under the Scheme, the track record of the Applicant, including matters of compliance with relevant contracts will be considered.	10	5
Total	100%	-

This page was last updated on 19.03.2026