Screen Mentoring Scheme 2025: Call for Applicants
Posted: 16th September 2025
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland (Screen Ireland) is delighted to announce that applications are now open for the next round of the Screen Mentoring Scheme, a key initiative to invest in the continued skills development of professionals in the Irish screen sector.
To date, over 150 mentees have been paired with highly experienced industry mentors through this scheme, which offers screen professionals structured mentoring support at key stages in their career development across business, creative and technical mentoring. Mentors provide practical tailored advice and guidance based on their industry experience, on a one-to-one basis.
Speaking about his experience with the scheme, director Dónal Foreman, who was paired with mentor Lenny Abrahamson, said:
The Screen Mentoring Scheme with Lenny was a really invaluable, eye-opening and motivating experience. It has helped me approach the development of my projects with a more strategic mindset—from initial concept to enlisting collaborators to pitching and fundraising. It has given me a renewed commitment and self-confidence in my work, and a clearer understanding of the key importance of persistence and clarity of purpose in pursuing a directing career.
Screen Ireland is seeking applications from mentees who are looking for the support and guidance of a mentor to learn and grow professionally, with a minimum of three year’s relevant full-time experience. Mentees are expected to demonstrate the relevance of mentoring to professional development, immediate up-skilling requirements and long-term goals as well as commitment and motivation to continuous development in the screen industries. 25 mentees will be assigned a mentor by the Screen Ireland Mentoring Scheme panel, and allocated up to 20 hours of mentoring time over a 5-10 meeting assignment, over a 12-month period.
The scheme is now in its seventh year of existence and previous mentors have included Lenny Abrahamson, Aisling Walsh, Katie Holly, Peter McKenna, Emma Norton, Emer Reynolds, Ailbhe Keoghan, Conor Barry, Larry Bass and Frank Berry. It has been a successful support and springboard for emerging Irish talent such as Clare McCabe, Colin Thornton, Mia Mullarkey, Anna Mannion, Laura O’Shea, Evan Horan, Roisin Geraghty, Ian Hunt Duffy and Katie McNeice.
Additionally, Screen Ireland has developed two self-led online courses in the area of mentoring. The Mentoring for Mentees and Mentoring for Mentors courses were designed to help prospective mentees and mentors to better understand their respective roles in the mentoring process, and to provide key knowledge and tools for both mentees and mentors to make the most of the partnership.
To learn more about the Screen Mentoring Scheme and to make an application please visit the Screen Mentoring page.
Applications for this round of the Screen Mentoring Scheme will close on Tuesday, 7th October 2025, 11.59pm.