Perspectives

What is Perspectives?

In response to Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland’s (Screen Ireland) commitment to empowering and supporting creative talent, Perspectives is a pilot initiative for filmmakers providing a window into experiences and viewpoints that may not have been widely represented on the big screen before. The scheme is particularly interested in original, authentic stories that can touch on a wide range of experiences across Irish life, culture and communities. 

Perspectives will offer the film-makers practical assistance and guidance to enable their films to find audiences and get distributed. This will include building relationships with potential sales agents and distributors, one-to-one mentoring and shadowing opportunities, and high-level workshops and masterclasses. 

What are we looking for?

Perspectives is open to live action fiction feature films that can ultimately be produced at the required budget range of €750,000 – €950,000 which will be fully financed and/or cashflowed by Screen Ireland. There is no limitation on the genre, narrative style, content or other elements of the story.

For Initial Development (Round 1), up to 20 projects will be selected for the Initial Development phase.  Each project selected will be awarded development funding of up to €15,000 each for individual filmmakers or up to €20,000 for a filmmaking team. 

Who can apply?

Applications are invited from Irish (each member must be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or resident in the Republic of Ireland) individual filmmakers (writers or directors) or via the individual filmmaker’s own production company subject to eligibility guidelines as follows:

• Individual filmmakers or filmmaker teams.
• Having a short live action film and/or on-air commercials and/or viral online series produced is essential. 
• Projects in receipt of Screen Ireland development funding are not eligible. However, receipt of Screen Ireland development funding on other projects in the past does not make the individual filmmaker ineligible.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Students in full-time education may not apply. 
• An individual filmmaker may only submit 1 individual application however an individual filmmaker may also be attached to a separate submission as part of a filmmaking team. Therefore, a filmmaker can be attached to no more than 2 submissions. 
• All pre-production, production and post-production on the selected films must be carried out in the Republic of Ireland. 

Think you have what it takes, but not sure if you meet all the criteria? Check out our FAQs page. Please contact us if you have any other queries. Our dedicated email address for this scheme is perspectives@screenireland.ie.

What are the application requirements?

Your application will need to include:

• A short summary of your experience as a filmmaker including a link to any work done to date
• A short synopsis/description of the project.
• Notes addressing each of the selection criteria as detailed in the How Do We Select Projects section below.

The format of the above documents is open and we will accept written or video applications through our online application portal.

If an applicant has any queries on submitting their application either in advance or during their application process, or interpreting the guidelines, please take a look at our FAQs page or email us at perspectives@screenireland.ie for assistance and further information.

When to apply?

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 1pm on Thursday 31 October, 2024.

Applications should be made through Screen Ireland’s online application system only.

Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

We strongly encourage potential applicants to ensure they are registered on the Screen Ireland applications portal ahead of the deadline, and prior to making an application.

How do we select projects?

This lane of funding is not automatic and is expected to be highly competitive. In addition to applicants satisfying the Application Requirements, decisions on applications for this Initial Development stage will be assessed on the basis of each of the following:

Clarity of creative vision (25)

Clear and concise descriptions that show an understanding and consideration of the film’s setting, characters, the story and any broader ideas for the film.

Talent Development (25)

Applications that include diverse or emerging Irish talent in key creative roles. 

New Perspective and Original Storytelling (25)

Applications that offer an authentic, fresh and original approach. Stories that bring a strong individual viewpoint and offer different perspectives across a range of ideas.

Accessing Audiences (15)

Applications that appeal to a range of viewers with particular emphasis on potential to engage and move the targeted audience. 

Achievability (10)

Is your story able to be made in the budget range set out in the guidelines? 

What happens next?

Development

For Initial Development (Round 1), up to 20 projects will be selected for the Initial Development phase. Each project selected will be awarded development funding of up to €15,000 each for individual filmmakers or up to €20,000 for a filmmaking team. 

With the main focus on story development, the development work for this Initial Development period will be expected to be delivered by 31 October 2025. It will see projects develop from the submitted documentation to first script drafts, including first draft revisions. Each team will agree a bespoke development plan with the Screen Ireland team and interact on regular basis to complement the ongoing development work.

At the end of this initial stage, the scripts delivered by the 20 selected projects will be reviewed, and teams may be invited to meet the Screen Ireland team to discuss progress made to date.

Projects will be required to have an eligible production company attached to be considered for selection for Round 2, Screen Ireland shall provide assistance and support in this regard. 

For Further Development (Round 2), up to 10 of these projects will be selected for a further round of development funding. These will be announced on or before 31 December 2025. Each project selected will be awarded further development funding of up to €10,000 each for individual filmmakers or up to €15,000 for a filmmaking team. 

Production

For Production (Round 3), up to 5 of these projects will be selected to go into production. It is expected that these projects will commence pre-production and principal photography in the Autumn of 2026.

Detailed guidelines for Round 3 will be published in advance of Round 2 selections.

Selection panels will consist of members of the Screen Ireland’s team and independent external assessors. External industry experts will assist with the assessment process.

Additional Terms & Conditions

• These Guidelines and the funding lane itself 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. Awards under this fund are not automatic and Screen Ireland will review all applications on a case-by-case basis. 
• All documentation and publicity related to this initiative and investment funded by Screen Ireland must be acknowledged in a form to be confirmed by Screen Ireland.