Development Funding Guidelines

Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland (Screen Ireland) provides a wide range of development funding programmes to enable and encourage high levels of production activity across the film, television, and animation sector. Further details about these programmes and making an application can be found below. For any queries that are not answered in this document please contact the Production & Development Coorindinator. Please also refer to the Producers Resources section of the Screen Ireland website for other useful documents and information.

Fundamental Principles

Screen Ireland’s assessment and decisions in relation to funding are guided by factors which include editorial and creative merits as well as a number of important investment considerations.

Our principles for review are broken down under the following headings: 

• Creative Vision  
• Talent Development 
• Accessing Audiences
• Culture & Additionality 
• Industry Growth & Creative Ambition

Creative Vision

Screen Ireland supports the pursuit of high-quality audiovisual works. We are committed in funding projects of increased value to the Irish and International market that represent our identity, creativity and storytelling strength in a clear, powerful and authentic way. 

In considering whether to support a project for funding Screen Ireland will focus on the following editorial objectives: 

•    Clarity of Vision 
•    Authenticity & Originality 

All projects must clearly indicate their aims and objectives and how they plan to (in terms of development funding) or have achieved these targets. 

Clarity of Vision 

Proposals for funding should be clear and concise in terms of their submission. Those proposals which directly indicate the opportunity and set out the pathway forward in terms of the creative proposal and its journey are favoured. 

Clarity can be achieved through rigorous examination of not only the broader proposal and copy, but also by ensuring that the creative world, characters and broader themes of any submission are clearly indicated within the proposal. 

Whilst there is scope for continued development, Production applications will need to be fully formed and the basic foundation of the above creative elements clearly understood and considered. 

In the case of Development, whilst some of these elements may not be fully formed, a clear statement of intent and process should be indicated. 

Authenticity & Originality 

Screen Ireland funding will be directed in supporting projects that offer an authentic and original purpose, ensuring high quality creative work, though the talents of Irish writers, directors, producers and other key personnel. 

At the heart of Screen Ireland funding, is the support of new, ambitious and authentic stories which offer a new perspective and drive a different sensibility and understanding on screen. This creates opportunities to project a broad range of diverse, talent driven narratives that connect to audiences due to their inherent distinctive and honest voice, ultimately defining a unique USP. 

Funding decisions will favour those creative talents who bring to the screen a strongly individual view of the world, and who create works that give a new and/or reinvigorated approach to that experience. 

These requirements do not mean that existing forms or genres will be avoided, but instead that the Irish writers, directors and producers supported will bring a fresh approach and new thinking to these forms or genres. 

Given the limited capacity for market, Irish talent will need to be able to work with talent from other countries on projects being funded by Screen Ireland, and originality will continue to be factored in as part of the assessment of the combined talents of all parties involved. 

Talent Development

At the core of Screen Ireland funding is the development of Irish talent, which includes a broad range of diverse voices and backgrounds. 

We actively encourage and seek out opportunities to support an increasingly wider range of perspectives and viewpoints through the projects and stories that we fund. 

Strong preference will be given to submissions which: 

• are of Irish initiation in a creative sense; that is, conceived, written, produced and/or to be directed by Irish talents
• entail new, emerging, and diverse Irish talent in key creative roles, i.e. director, writer, producer, composer, principal actor and other heads of departments.

Accessing Audiences

Screen Ireland is increasingly focused on ensuring that funding decisions will favour projects that reach a clearly defined audience. 

This does not mean that Screen Ireland is only interested in supporting material with commercial prospects, but instead that it is open to considering projects that may appeal to a wide range of viewers, be they commercial, arthouse, festival-going or cross platform etc. 

Particular emphasis will be paid to a project's potential to engage its intended audience as well as the planned approach and scale of the project. 

A clear audience opportunity must be present and considered as part of each individual proposal with a focus in reaching new and diverse communities and a broad range of interests. 

Culture & Additionality 

In responding to needs of the Irish audiovisual production industry, Screen Ireland considers that certain projects, in terms of their content, provenance or benefit to the industry, represent clear priorities for its funding. 

Culture 

Screen Ireland places increased importance on projects and submissions that are culturally representative and offer unique Irish perspectives. Submissions which offer further opportunity to find a voice for our rich culture and traditions are recognised within our review and we seek to ensure there is a range of traditional and modern Irish themes and topics supported as part of our funding. This includes content which focuses on Irish Heritage, diverse Communities and Landscape and offers a contemporary relevance to the Irish perspective and history. 

Strong preference will be given to submissions which: 

•    tell Irish stories, drawing on and depicting Ireland's culture, history, way of life, view of the world and of itself 
•    are made wholly or predominantly in the Irish language 

Additionality 

An essential rationale for making public money available to an industry is that it should create activity that would not otherwise occur, i.e. that the market, left to itself, would not create. 

It follows that audiovisual works backed by the Screen Ireland should be those that would not be made or would not be made with the same level of benefit to Ireland, unless enabled to do so with the support of Screen Ireland. Such audiovisual works and the benefits that flow from them represent ‘additional' economic activity. 

This does not mean that Screen Ireland is interested only in supporting material with limited commercial prospects. There is a wealth of evidence in our audiovisual history to show that the successes are frequently ground-breaking projects. 

Screen Ireland will give energetic backing to producers who display an ambition to achieve market success and to projects that display an awareness of the market while at the same time providing a challenge to existing perceptions of what the marketplace expects. 

Industry Growth & Creative Ambition 

Screen Ireland also supports projects that offer an increased growth trajectory for the Irish Audiovisual Sector. 

Screen Ireland is seeking to achieve further innovation in creative storytelling, targeting local and international opportunity and building creative producers, talent and a broader industry of scale through increased international partnership and visibility, whilst also supporting continuous employment and spend in the Irish economy. 

Serious attention will also be paid to submissions which: 

•    propose a distinctly Irish project (in terms of setting, characters, etc.) that has international investment and is a partnership of Irish and non-Irish talent. 
•    involves an Irish producer as minority co-producer where (a) Screen Ireland is convinced of the quality of the project and (b) the amount of the Screen Ireland's investment corresponds to the level of involvement of Irish personnel, elements (shoot, postproduction, etc) and facilities in the project. 

Screen Ireland will always be vigilant in ensuring that investments entail a high volume of expenditure on Irish personnel and in the Irish industry, and this aspect of a submission is likely to play a material part in a positive decision. 

Further consideration will also be given in relation to: 

Track-record of the Producer 
•    Has the producer managed and delivered audiovisual works in a professional and efficient manner before? 
•    Has Screen Ireland had positive previous experience of dealing with the producer and the creative team? 
•    In a co-production, do the non-Irish producers involved have good professional track records? 

Irish Employment 
•    Are the key creative and technical positions to be filled by Irish personnel? 
•    In a co-production, is the proportion of these appropriate? 
•    Will the production offer employment to Irish personnel across all possible grades? 

Spend in the Irish economy 
•    Will the work be made in the Republic of Ireland? 
•    Will the project make extensive use of Irish production and post-production facilities? 
•    Will the project attract inward investment into the Irish economy? 

Sales and Distribution 
•    Is there a target against international sales for the film or television series? 
•    Does the project have a distributor attached? 
•    Are any sales agents, distributors or broadcasters providing production finance? 

Financial Structure 
•    Are the proposed co-financiers of the film or television programme reliable? 
•    Will the proposed financing arrangements allow Screen Ireland to negotiate a reasonable recoupment position? 
•    Will there be reasonable transparency of accounting with regard to sales revenues, e.g. by use of a collection agent? 

Further Note: Some Screen Ireland funding programmes have specific criteria of their own and are not necessarily governed by all of the principles set out above. 

Cinema Distribution 

Distribution Support is provided to Irish distributors of Screen Ireland-backed films who demonstrate that funding from Screen Ireland will enhance the promotion of a film in the Irish market. Direct Distribution/Exhibition Support is provided to Irish producers to help defray the cost of a limited theatrical release in Ireland (including Northern Ireland) for feature films already in receipt of Screen Ireland production funding that have been unable to secure suitable theatrical distribution by a bona fide Irish distribution company but that still have clear potential to reach and engage an Irish audience.

Development Funding Overview

Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland (Screen Ireland) provides loans to assist with the development of projects through the following schemes

Regulations & Limits

The amount of funding that can be awarded to applicants by Screen Ireland under many of these programmes is limited by regulations agreed with the Irish government or laid down by the European Commission.

Development Funding Limits

With regard to development funding, there are limits on the amount that can be provided to projects by Screen Ireland pursuant to Irish government regulations as implemented by Screen Ireland as follows:

• The maximum amount of Screen Ireland development funding that can be provided to any one project is €125,000.
• Any amount of Screen Ireland development funding above €75,000 to any one project must be matched by funding from other sources.

Applicants should note that in light of the pressure on Screen Ireland resources, awards considerably less than the maximum are likely to be offered.

Repayment

Screen Ireland development loans must be included as a production budget line item, and repayment must be made in full by first day of principal photography or full animation drawings.

Exceptional Circumstances

Please note that all of the above funding limits are subject to alteration in the event that wholly exceptional circumstances apply to a particular project. Screen Ireland will require that such wholly exceptional circumstances are set out in detail in writing with any application. Given the levels of budget constraints currently in existence, it is not anticipated that any wholly exceptional circumstances will be accepted by Screen Ireland in the near future.

Upcoming Application Deadlines

The following are the deadlines for receipt of development funding applications in 2026. The application portal will close at 1pm on the day of the deadline unless otherwise stated on the application form. No incomplete or late applications will be accepted. Decisions will generally be reached within 12 weeks of the submission deadline.

2026 Development Application Deadlines

• Monday 26th January at 1pm
• Monday 30th March at 1pm
• Monday 25th May at 1pm
• Monday 7th September at 1pm

Prior consultation with a member of the Production & Development team is NOT required in order to make an application for development funding.

Making An Application

Please follow this link to the Online Application System to make an application. Should you encounter any issues please email technicalsupport@screenireland.ie at least 24 hours prior to the deadline closing to ensure ample time to resolve the issue.

Any submissions deemed to be incomplete, ill prepared, late, or poorly executed will not be accepted. Additional material received after the application deadline will not be accepted and will not be taken into account in considering the application, unless such additional material has been specifically requested by a member of the Production and Development team.

Screen Ireland will only consider a project submitted to each funding programme twice. If an application is unsuccessful following a second submission, it is no longer eligible for that funding programme. If you are planning to make a re-application on behalf of a project that has previously been refused development funding by Screen Ireland, you must explain how the project has changed since the previous submission either creatively and/or regarding the project team in the application.

Development Funding Application Process

All submitted projects will be assessed by members of the production and development team. This meeting may also include members from Business Affairs, Distribution and other departments as required and will be chaired by the Chief Executive or designate. Panels may, from time to time, include external assessors.

Funding decisions for development funding of up to €75,000 are made at a Development meeting and are ratified by the Screen Ireland Board at the following board meeting. Funding decisions for development funding of over €75,000 will be approved by the Screen Ireland Board at the following board meeting, on foot of recommendations from the Production, Development & Distribution Team.

Once final decisions are confirmed, all applicants will be notified. Applicants must get in touch with the Legal & Business Affairs Coordinator – Development within two weeks of this offer. If an applicant does not follow up the project will be expired, and a full re-application will be required.

Applicants can request feedback by contacting Development@screenireland.ie. Applicants will then be sent a paragraph of feedback which outlines the reasons for the decision. Screen Ireland is not in a position to provide individual feedback on unsuccessful projects beyond this feedback.

Development Funding Application Guide

Each Development funding scheme has specific requirements that must be referred to throughout all stages of the application process. Please re-read these guidelines before each application as they are often updated.

PLEASE REMEMBER!

• Development funding is provided by Screen Ireland for the making of works predominantly in English or Irish, or a combination of the two.
• For the purposes of Development funding applications, Irish producers are independent production companies registered in the Republic of Ireland which have an office and staff based in the Republic of Ireland. Companies will be required to have the relevant company documentation (certificate of incorporation and company constitution) in advance of application. Applications submitted prior to receiving full company registration will be withdrawn.
• Initial stage Development funding is not a guarantee of further funding. Development funding is also not a guarantee of Production funding at a later stage.
• Applicants should note that in light of the pressure on Screen Ireland resources, awards considerably less than the maximum are likely to be offered.
• Please ensure you have read the Screen Ireland Principles & Criteria before submitting an application for funding.
• Please read the General Application Guidance Notes for tips on how to best present your project in a Development application.

Development Locked Box Guide – Pilot

Screen Ireland is piloting a new Development Locked Box system which will initially apply to the Irish Feature Film development funding awards.

While Screen Ireland will still require repayment of its Irish Feature Film development funding award in the normal fashion. This new Development Locked Box system will provide that where Screen Ireland has provided Irish Feature Film development funding to a project, that project proceeds to production and the development funding is repaid to Screen Ireland, Screen Ireland will hold this amount on the producer’s ‘account’ to be used by the producer for the purposes of eligible new project development, subject always to a maximum allocation per project of €75,000 (the “Locked Box Funding”).

Eligible new projects are those projects that would ordinarily qualify for Screen Ireland Irish Feature Film Development funding if the project were submitted in the normal way.

To avail of the Locked Box Funding the producer must complete and submit the Development Locked Box Application Form, a copy of which is available on request. No party other than the producer may make a claim under the Development Locked Box system.

The producer must provide Screen Ireland with a budget and finance plan (in the Screen Ireland templates) for the proposed eligible new project development, the detail of which will be determined by the type and extent of the proposed activities. Once approved, payment of funds will be made on receipt of a valid invoice and tax clearance details.

The Locked Box Funding may not be assigned or encumbered or otherwise transferred to a third party. The Locked Box Funding cannot be used to refinance expenditure already incurred by the producer or by any person connected with the producer.

The Locked Box Funding should be re-invested into the development of new Irish feature projects within 24 months of the loan repayment date.

Feature Film Development

Eligible Projects: Live Action or Animated feature films.

Level of Funding Available: Maximum of €75,000 without match funding. Maximum of €125,000 with third party match funding from other sources.

Work to Complete: Funding can be sought to develop a detailed treatment, a first draft of the screenplay or both.

Who Can Apply: Irish Producers with a feature film project they wish to develop, clear access to the necessary rights in any material that is to be adapted for the screen, and an agreement (at least in principle) with the screenwriter they wish to commission. The commitment of a director can lend weight to an application but is not essential at the outset. The aim of this funding scheme is to support Irish talent with an emphasis on distinctly Irish stories.

Application Requirements:

• Logline
• Short Synopsis (500 words maximum)
• A Detailed Synopsis (1-2 pages only) outlining the full story.
• If a script does not exist, please submit a Detailed Treatment (10 pages, excluding images)
• If a script does exist, please submit sample script pages (20-30 pages only)
• Short character arc descriptions o Writer/Director/Producer Notes
• Development Budget (Please note the excel template is no longer in use. The budget is filled out on the online application form.)
• Evidence of Ownership of Rights

Additional Feature Film Development

Eligible Projects: Live Action or Animated feature films that are already in receipt of Screen Ireland funding under the Feature Film Development category. If you are submitting a new project, please see the guidelines above for Feature Film Development Funding. If your project is in receipt of funding outside of the Feature Film Development category (e.g. Enhanced Development, Director’s Concept, Slate Funding, Creative Futures Slate Funding, Covid-19 schemes etc…) it is not eligible for this category unless a previous award was made under Feature Film Development. If you are unsure, please contact Development@screenireland.ie prior to making a submission.

Level of Funding Available: Maximum of €75,000 without match funding. Maximum of €125,000 with third party match funding from other sources.

Work to Complete: Funding can be sought to develop a second or subsequent draft of the screenplay.

Who Can Apply: Irish Producers with a feature film project that has already received Feature Film Development funding. After delivering and closing off the first stage of Feature Film Development with the Development and Legal & Business Affairs teams, any additional applications for Feature Film Development funding should be submitted under this category. Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis through the Screen Ireland online portal.

Application Requirements:

• Logline.
• Short Synopsis (500 words maximum).
• A Detailed Synopsis (1-2 pages only) outlining the full story.
• Latest Draft of the Screenplay.
• Short character arc descriptions.
• Writer/Director/Producer Notes.
• Development Budget (Please note the excel template is no longer in use. The budget is filled out on the online application form.)
• Evidence of Ownership of Rights.

Television Animation Development

Eligible Projects: Animated TV Series.

Level of Funding Available: Maximum funding of up to €30,000.

Work to Complete: Funding can be sought to undertake all script development work, concept, and design work necessary to prepare an animated television series for production.

Who Can Apply: Irish producers with an animated TV series they wish to develop. Clear access to the necessary rights in any material that is to be adapted for the screen and an agreement (at least in principle) with the screenwriter and any other creative talent they wish to commission must be obtained before an application is submitted.

Application Requirements:

• Logline.
• Short Synopsis (500 words maximum).
• Detailed Series Bible including Episode Outlines (The bible is now requested as part of the application form rather than an attachment. Please ensure to check the word count and format prior to submission).
• Full episode draft script(s) (if available).
• Sample Visuals.
• Notes on further development.
• Development Budget (Please note the excel template is no longer in use. The budget is filled out on the online application form.)
• Evidence of Ownership Rights.

First Stage Documentary Development

Eligible Projects: Feature film documentary projects intended for festival and/or cinematic release and documentary series intended for international broadcast.

Level of Funding Available: Up to a maximum of €15,000 at first stage.

Work to Complete: Funding can be sought to create concept work (including the production of a promo/teaser), research, and story work necessary to prepare a documentary feature film or documentary series for production.

Who Can Apply: Irish producers with a documentary feature film or documentary series they wish to develop. Clear access to the necessary rights in the work and in any material that is to be produced, or a letter of interest, or an agreement in draft form with the director and any contributors must be obtained before an application is submitted. On receipt of an award, rights documents must be fully executed, in an approved form, before funding can be drawn down.

Application Requirements:

• Logline.
• Short Synopsis (500 words maximum).
• Initial Treatment (The treatment is now requested as part of the application form rather than an attachment. Please ensure to check the word count and format prior to submission).
• Notes on development/execution of the project.
• Sample Visuals (if available).
• Development Budget (Please note the excel template is no longer in use. The budget is filled out on the online application form.)
• Evidence of Ownership of Rights.

Additional Feature Film Documentary Development

Eligible Projects: Feature film documentaries that are already in receipt of Screen Ireland funding under the First Stage Documentary Development category.

Level of Funding Available: Up to a maximum of €10,000.

First Stage Development Funding is not a guarantee of further funding.

Work to Complete: If required funding can be sought for additional research, pitching / finance market attendance and/or to create an enhanced pitch deck and trailer which elevates the project from First Stage Development to be market ready for financing and production.

Who Can Apply: Irish Producers with a documentary film project that has already received First Stage Documentary Development funding or Documentary Development funding after 1st January 2024 (October 2022, February 2024, April 2024, and June 2024 funding rounds). Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis through the Screen Ireland online portal only after approval from a Project Manager to proceed.

Application Requirements:

• Logline.
• Short Synopsis (500 words maximum).
• Detailed Treatment.
• Notes on additional development/execution of the project.
• Sample Visuals.
• Development Budget (Please note the excel template is no longer in use. The budget is filled out on the online application form.)
• Evidence of Ownership of Rights.

Additional Documentary Series Development

Eligible Projects: Documentary series that are already in receipt of Screen Ireland funding under the First Stage Documentary Development category.

Level of Funding Available: Up to a maximum of €10,000.

First Stage Development Funding is not a guarantee of further funding.

Work to Complete: If required funding can be sought for additional research, pitching / finance market attendance and/or to create an enhanced pitch deck and trailer which elevates the project from First Stage Development to be market ready for financing and production.

Who Can Apply: Irish Producers with a documentary film project that has already received First Stage Documentary Development funding or Documentary Development funding after 1st January 2024 (October 2022, February 2024, April 2024 and June 2024 funding rounds). Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis through the Screen Ireland online portal only after approval from a Project Manager to proceed.

Application Requirements:

• Logline.
• Short Synopsis (500 words maximum).
• Detailed Treatment including episodic breakdowns.
• Notes on additional development/execution of the project.
• Sample Visuals.
• Development Budget (Please note the excel template is no longer in use. The budget is filled out on the online application form.)
• Evidence of Ownership of Rights

Television Drama Development

Eligible Projects: Television Drama projects originated and developed in Ireland.

Level of Funding Available: Up to a maximum of €25,000 at first stage and a further €25,000 at second stage or the following stages. Up to a maximum of €100,000 with third party match funding from other sources.

Work to Complete: Funding can be sought to produce a first draft bible and pilot in first stage development and a polished bible (to include detailed outlines) and pilot/subsequent episode script(s) in second stage.

Who Can Apply: Irish producers with a television drama project they wish to develop, clear access to the necessary rights in any material that is to be adapted for the screen, and an agreement (at least in principle) with the screenwriter they wish to commission. The commitment of a director can lend weight to an application but is not essential at the outset.

This scheme aims to provide opportunities for Irish writers to create original drama content. Emphasis will be placed on Irish writers and supporting distinctly Irish stories. Where an application is submitted with a non-Irish writer attached, the application must present clear opportunities for Irish writers to work with very experienced international show runners and writers with high end TV credits. Producer and Production Company track record will be taken into consideration when assessing submissions.

Key Elements to Consider for TV Drama Development Applications:

Clarity of Purpose

• Does the script and development materials have a clear focus in terms of the opportunity in the market – is this integrated or allowed for in the narrative plan or road map?

Characterisation

• Do(es) the character(s) have an authentic journey?
• How do the characters drive the narrative in a meaningful and accessible way, which feels authentic, memorable and enriching to the viewer.
• Character arc trajectory / Series Trajectory.

Audience

• Who is your audience and how are you reaching them across a series?
• Remember the different elements of appeal and the broader accessible truths, which will ensure a wide and differing audience demo as generally required.

Application Requirements: 1st Stage Funding Application.

• Logline.
• Short Synopsis (500 words maximum).
• Detailed Pitch Document including Episode Outlines (The pitch document is now requested as part of the application form rather than an attachment. Please ensure to check the word count and format prior to submission).
• Notes on further development, audience, and market.
• Development budget (Please note the excel template is no longer in use. The budget is filled out on the online application form.)
• Evidence of Ownership of Rights.

Additional Stage Funding Application

(Please note, this funding is only available to projects in receipt of a previous TV Drama Development funding award or projects at series 2 that received support of Screen Ireland for series 1).

• Logline • Short Synopsis (500 words maximum)
• First draft bible (if available)
• Pilot script
• Notes on further development, audience, and market
• Development Budget (Please note the excel template is no longer in use. The budget is filled out on the online application form.) 
• Evidence of Ownership of Rights

Screenplay Development (Established Talent)

Eligible Projects: Live Action or Animated Feature Films written by established screenwriters without a Production Company attached.

Level of Funding Available: Funding of up to €15,000 for an individual or up to €20,000 for teams of two or more individuals.

Work to Complete: A first draft of the screenplay, working with the support of a Screen Ireland approved script editor to develop from initial idea stage to a viable first draft.

Who Can Apply: Screenplay Development Loans are available to experienced Irish talent including individual writers, teams of writers, and writer and director teams where applicants have at least one produced feature film credit as a writer (to include theatrical distribution, festival screenings and/or distribution on a major streaming platform) or TV drama credit(s), including animated TV shows, as a writer. Credits on short films and adverts are not eligible under this category. Please ensure all credits are clearly listed in your application.

Please note teams with one experienced writer and one less experienced writer (without a produced feature film or TV Drama credit) are eligible to apply as a co-writing team. Where an application is submitted with more than one writer attached, all writers must be Irish citizens or resident in the Republic of Ireland to be eligible.

Please note producers should not be attached at this stage. If a project is submitted including a production company and/or producer it will automatically be deemed ineligible for consideration. However, we also encourage writers and/or directors to start thinking ahead in relation to their audience, market and appropriate Irish companies they may wish to approach on completion of their development phase with Screen Ireland.

Application Requirements:

• Logline.
• Short Synopsis (500 words maximum).
• A Detailed Synopsis (1-2 pages only) outlining the full story.
• If a script does not exist, please submit a Detailed Treatment (10 pages, excluding images).
• If a script does exist, please submit sample script pages (20-30 pages only).
• Short character descriptions including character arcs.
• Writer/Director Notes.
• Development budget (Please note the excel template is no longer in use. The budget is filled out on the online application form.)
• Evidence of Ownership of Rights.

General Application Guidance Notes

The application requirements above allow applicants to present their project in a way that best showcases the potential for further development. We would urge you to think about the following when approaching each aspect:

• Logline - It is essential to be able to describe your story in one or two sentences. Think along the lines of an elevator pitch and what could ultimately be used in marketing materials.
• Long Synopsis - (1-2 pager for Feature Film and Screenplay Development) Given that this will be submitted with a partial script we need it to tell the full story of the project to the end – we want spoilers! Please make sure to pay extra care to the drafting of this synopsis as it is an essential element in Screen Ireland’s assessment of the project.
• Treatment – This should be detailed and give a sense of the whole story. Treatments should try to communicate a strong sense of theme, characterization (i.e. arcs and relationships), and tone as well as plot. Treatments are encouraged for Feature Film Development if the script has not already been written. It can be much easier to interrogate the story in terms of the character journeys and structure at treatment stage and therefor allow for easier changes of gear prior to writing the script. Please note, shorter treatments than the 10 page minimum will be accepted for Feature Film Development – however we have found it more difficult to gauge potential and get a full sense of the stories on these shorter page counts.
• Character Arcs: the descriptions do not need to be lengthy, a paragraph or two will do, and it may be that you submit the arc for just the central character – not all characters.
• Writer/Director/Producer Notes – These do not need to be long but should convey why you want to tell this story. Writers should explain what are the main areas you think you will need to focus on? Are there any key challenges (e.g. it could be an adaptation, there might be issues specific to genre or characterization)? Producers should tell us what attracted you to this project? What is the development time frame and what do you see as the main challenges? Who are you thinking of as a potential script editor? Directors, where attached, should feed into the producer & writer notes specific to development work needed on the script. From these notes, we should be able to see a cohesive tone and vision from the team.
• Adaptations and True stories – Proposals based on existing source material, such as plays or novels, are required to go beyond plot summaries and will need to provide a clear indication of the strategy for adaptation and include either a filmic treatment/television bible or a detailed synopsis with script sample. Where this essential element of an application is absent applications will be automatically withdrawn. Likewise, proposals based on real life people or events must go beyond a synopsis of research and clearly outline the project narrative.
• Budget – Screen Ireland will only cover the cost of the Irish creative elements. No retrospective costs will be covered.
• Rights/Legal Documents – Production companies are required to show that they have acquired or can acquire the necessary rights in the project. An option agreement, writer’s agreement or screenplay agreement or signed deal memo which clearly outline the terms (including agreed fees) are acceptable for the purposes of a submission. If funding is awarded, executed long form agreements will be required.

Development Funding Conditions

Development funding is provided in the form of loans which are repayable on the first day of principal photography of the developed project. Screen Ireland development awards do not carry interest, no premium is charged at the time of repayment, and Screen Ireland does not receive a profit share in return for its development funding.

Screen Ireland will not fund retrospective development costs.

Unless otherwise agreed, copyright in the funded screenplay remains with the writer(s) or producer. Screen Ireland may require a share of copyright in the project.

Chain of Title: It is the responsibility of the Producer to ensure that clear chain of title documentation (option agreement, writer’s agreement, directors agreement and a co-development agreement (if applicable) is in place and meets Screen Ireland’s minimum contractual requirements. Screen Ireland cannot and will not provide funding to projects without this essential paperwork.

Co-Development: In cases where production companies wish to seek support for projects that fall within co-development agreements with international producers, funding can only be requested to cover the cost of the Irish creative elements. The priority of Screen Ireland is to support the development of Irish creative talent and stories and this will be reflected in decisions taken. Within a co-development arrangement, there must be a clear share of copyright between the parties (including the applicant) and Screen Ireland will usually require match funding from a co-producer or third party.

Screen Ireland development funding can only ever be a contribution towards the development costs of a project and generally Screen Ireland is not in a position to cover all development costs. It is the responsibility of the Producer to negotiate professional rates with talent reflecting the industry experience and produced credits of the talent they wish to engage.

Development Funding Contracting Process

Following an award of funding to a project by Screen Ireland, development will proceed in agreed stages, with the Legal & Business Affairs Coordinator - Development empowered to authorise cash tranche funding as required, or to cut off funding if they (after consultation with Screen Ireland colleagues) concludes that the project have ceased to make useful progress.

The following paperwork will be required for all projects in receipt of a Screenplay Development or Spotlight Development Loan:

• Up to date Tax Clearance details for the applicant(s)
• Agreement(s) in relation to underlying rights (as applicable)
• Invoice: the applicant(s) must invoice Screen Ireland for each stage of funding drawn down

The following paperwork will be required for all projects in receipt of Project Development, Animation Development, TV Drama Development and Documentary Development Loans:

• Company constitutional documentation of the production company.
• Up to date Tax Clearance details for the production company.
• Agreements in relation to underlying rights (as applicable) such as an option agreement, screenwriter agreement and/or director development agreements (see Screen Ireland minimum contractual requirements downloadable from this page).
• Bank No Set-off Letter: a project-specific bank account must be opened by the producer and evidence of the account supplied to Screen Ireland in a letter, the form of which can be obtained by emailing the Legal & Business Affairs Coordinator - Development.
• Producer Inducement Letter: the producer must assure Screen Ireland that s/he will develop the project in question, in a letter the form of which can be supplied by the Legal & Business Affairs Coordinator - Development.
• Development Budget with any revisions made as agreed in discussion with the development team of Screen Ireland.
• Invoice: the producer must invoice Screen Ireland for each stage of funding drawn down.

Where a production company takes over the development of a project that has previously been the subject of an award of Screen Ireland development funding with another company, the new owner of the rights must enter into a written agreement with Screen Ireland assuming liability for repayment of Screen Ireland’s earlier loan(s).

All producers in receipt of development funding from Screen Ireland in excess of €15,000 will be obliged to provide an audit cert for projects as per the ICAI's M45 technical statement. Funding to cover the cost of this will be provided in the development allocation awarded by Screen Ireland. Further details about this can be obtained from the Legal & Business Affairs Coordinator - Development.

All payments made in the development of the project must be made in accordance with the agreed development budget and paid directly from the project specific bank account. Failure to comply will result in a material default of the Screen Ireland contract.

Please see the section below for Screen Ireland’s minimum contractual requirements for all rights agreements.

Screen Ireland Minimum Contract Requirements

Underlying Rights Agreements

• The Producer must be able to demonstrate a clear chain of title including, if required, evidence of receipt of payments for options and option renewals.
• The grant of rights should include a grant of all rental and lending rights and provision for equitable remuneration.
• There must be an irrevocable and unconditional waiver of all moral rights.
• The grant of rights should be exclusive for the full period of copyright. Any reduction in exclusivity must first be approved by the Screen Ireland.
• All documents must be properly executed and in the case of published works must be accompanied by appropriate publishers’ releases and authors’ certificates in the English and French languages.
• The agreements must be freely assignable to the Screen Ireland.
• There must be a warranty that the contribution is original to them and does not infringe the rights of any third party.
• If any rights are withheld they must be subject to holdbacks approved by the Screen Ireland.
• The grant of rights must include a waiver of injunctive relief for breach by the Producer (or successors in title).
• No agreement can contain any provision which provides for a reversion on breach, bankruptcy or insolvency.
• If the work is a stage play, then Screen Ireland will require a signed deed of quitclaim from the producers of the original stage play.

Writer’s Agreement

• The grant of rights should include a grant of all rental and lending rights and provision for equitable remuneration.
• There must be an irrevocable and unconditional waiver of moral rights.
• The agreements must contain a full assignment of copyright throughout the world for the full period of copyright and thereafter in perpetuity.
• All documents must be properly executed and accompanied by authors’ certificates in the English and French languages.
• The agreements must be freely assignable to Screen Ireland.
• There must be a warranty that the contribution is original to them and does not infringe the rights of any third party.
• If any rights are withheld they must be subject to holdbacks approved by Screen Ireland.
• The grant of rights must include a waiver of injunctive relief for breach by the Producer (or successors in title).
• No agreement can contain any provision which provides for a reversion on breach, bankruptcy or insolvency.
• The writers must grant all rights to use their names, likenesses and biographies in the advertising, promotion, publicity and exploitation of the project.

The foregoing list of minimum contractual requirements is not an exhaustive list and Screen Ireland reserves the right to require such additional terms as may be considered necessary.

These Guidelines remain subject to amendment.

Screen Ireland reserves the right to correct or clarify any part of these Guidelines and to determine the merit and suitability of individual applications. In the event that these Guidelines are altered or revised, an updated version will be made available on www.screenireland.ie and identified by the month and year it was published. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they are using the current version of the Guidelines and application form.

Production, Development and Distribution Team Contacts

• Keith Potter - Head of Film - keith.potter@screenireland.ie 
• Kate McColgan - Head of TV - kate.mccolgan@screenireland.ie
• Niamh Fagan - Project Manager: Feature Film - niamh.fagan@screenireland.ie
• Greg Martin - Project Manager: Feature Film - greg.martin@screenireland.ie
• Emma Scott - Head of Audiences - emma.scott@screenireland.ie
• Eimear Markey - Development Manager - eimear.markey@screenireland.ie
• Sarah Dillon - Talent Development Manager - sarah.dillon@screenireland.ie
• Heather Browning - Development Executive - heather.browning@screenireland.ie
• Jennifer Smyth - Shorts and Distribution Executive - jennifer.smyth@screenireland.ie
• Caoimhe Maguire - Production and Development Administration Executive - caoimhe.maguire@screenireland.ie
• Lyndsey Fitzsimons - Production and Development Coordinator - lyndsey.fitzsimons@screenireland.ie