Screen Mentoring Scheme 2026: Call for Applicants
Posted: 8th September 2026
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 175 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 her experience with the scheme, Lena Byrne, who was paired with mentor Ailish McElmeel, said:
The opportunity to have Ailish McElmeel as my mentor has been a life changing experience for me. As a woman in the industry, who had only recently gone into the business side of things, learning from Ailish was a game changer. I felt consistently supported, listened to and encouraged on my career path. Reflecting back, I feel like I have grown and progressed enormously during the last year.
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 eighth year of existence and previous mentors have included key industry figures such as Lenny Abrahamson, Aisling Walsh, Katie Holly, Peter McKenna, Lee Cronin, Ed Guiney, Emma Norton, Chelsea Morgan Hoffmann, Emer Reynolds, Conor Barry, Larry Bass and Frank Berry. Last year’s edition also welcomed a number of leading international filmmakers offering mentoring support, including filmmakers Lucile Hadžihalilović (France), Patricia Rozema (Canada), Walter Fasano (Italy) and Lone Scherfig (Denmark).
It has been a successful support and springboard for emerging Irish talent such as Clare McCabe, Colin Thornton, Clare Dunne, Mia Mullarkey, Anna Mannion, Ian Hunt Duffy, Laura O’Shea, Evan Horan, Roisin Geraghty, Katie McNeice, James Doherty and Clare Monnelly.
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, 29th September 2026, 1pm.