Documentary Production: Feature Film

About the Funding

This funding is for documentary feature films originated and creatively led by Irish talent - directors, producers and writers - the practical management of which will be primarily in Irish hands.

The emphasis is on feature-length, creative documentaries in English and Irish language with high cinematic production values which are capable of reaching an international audience through theatrical and festival exposure and on new platforms. 

Please note that documentaries aimed at a one-hour TV slot or shorter, with little or no international appeal, will not be supported.  Screen Ireland is determined to find and foster Irish talents capable of presenting non-fiction material in a way that transcends cultures and languages and utilises the aesthetic and emotional techniques of cinema to communicate its meaning. 

Please note the following Screen Ireland conditions: 

• E&O insurance is required on all Screen Ireland supported projects. 
• All music and archive utilised in a project must be cleared worldwide, in perpetuity, across all platforms. Failure to comply with this will result in a serious breach of contract. 
• Where Broadcaster support is involved, Screen Ireland will require a minimum twelve-month theatrical window from the first festival screening of the project.

Screen Ireland is committed to growing companies that produce high-quality, internationally recognised documentaries in an efficient and responsible manner and to this end, the role of the producer is vital. Applications should present a clear understanding of the market and realistic plan for the exploitation of the film. Producers are encouraged to seek out international partnerships with producers, financiers, sales agents and distributors.

Screen Ireland is open to considering co-productions through this scheme which follow the principles set out under Documentary: Creative Co-Production.    

Documentary Production funding is available to Irish producers with a feature documentary project they wish to produce, with clear access to the necessary rights in any material and an agreement in place with the director, lead contributors, and screenwriter if applicable. Clear ownership of rights by the production company (not the individual producers) will be required.

How to Apply

Applicants must consult the Production Funding Guidelines 2024 in advance of making a submission. Applications which do not meet the criteria set out in these guidelines will automatically be deemed ineligible for consideration. Please read these guidelines carefully before each submission as they are updated regularly.

If this is an application for a project that is currently in development with Screen Ireland, please contact the relevant Project Manager before submitting. If this is an application for a new project, please submit directly through the online application portal.

Please note that the application portal closes at 1pm on the day of the application deadline.

This page was last updated on 24.01.24.