TG4, BBC Gaeilge & Northern Ireland Screen | Amharc Funding Initiative
Thu 29th June 2017
TG4, BBC Gaeilge and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund have announced funding for a new initiative, entitled, ‘Amharc’.
The funding scheme was created to support the production of landmark creative films on the arts in Northern Ireland today. The initiative will provide film-makers with an opportunity to make distinctive, ambitious productions which will enrich BBC Northern Ireland and TG4’s main programming schedules and which will also have a cinematic release.
All artistic disciplines will be considered. Priority will be given to contemporary subjects but contemporary treatments of historical works will also be considered.
Emphasis will be placed on treatments and storytelling that are creative and innovative whilst also having an approach that will entice the largest audience possible.
In the scheme’s first season, the total funding pot will be £150, 000 and it is expected that two projects will be funded. However, it is possible that projects with a larger ambition and financial plan may be chosen if they seek funding from other sources.
It is envisaged that projects will launch with a cinematic release before they broadcast on TG4 and BBC Northern Ireland in early 2019.
The ILBF will administer the scheme in conjunction with the broadcasters BBC Northern Ireland and TG4 and the projects should comply with the ILBF and the broadcasters’ priorities and aims.
Representatives from the ILBF, TG4 and BBC Gaeilge will be responsible for selecting the applications.
- Duration: 50 – 70 minutes.
- Production budget: £75,000 max. per film.
- Format: HD with English subtitles.
- Language: Irish or bilingual.
APPLICATIONS:
Send applications to the ILBF via e-mail by: September 1st2017
The following documents are needed with the application:
- The ‘Amharc’ commissioning form (available in downloads section on the right).
- A comprehensive treatment with notes on visual approach.
- TV and Cinema audience strategy and a specific plan for cinema distribution if applicable.
- A detailed production budget and a summary budget (costs relating to music copyright clearance and other material, including delivery and marketing material). A budget template available here
- C.V. for those team members who will work on the project’s artistic aspects–director, producer, writer and editor.
- Proof of ownership of the material that will be produced and a copy of agreements made with writers and other parties, if necessary.
- Proof that the project’s main parties are in agreement in relation to the project.
- Any other supporting material.
- It is expected that the projects will be completed and ready to release at appropriate film festivals in 2019 and that they will be broadcast after this.