Northern Ireland Screen | Feature Documentary Development | Application Call

Wed 6th February 2019



Northern Ireland Screen intends to provide funding through the Screen Fund to develop feature documentaries that will deliver unique visions and voices on universal stories from Northern Ireland resident filmmakers.

Northern Ireland based production companies can apply for up to a maximum of £7,500 based on a budget of £10,000.

All applications including supporting documentation must be received by Friday 15th March 2019. All applications will be assessed with decisions intended to be made by mid-April 2019.

Key terms of the Feature Documentary Call:

  • There is no prescribed duration. Northern Ireland Screen will consider a broadcast hour, feature length projects and may, if the rational is compelling, consider two-parters or mini-series. Nothing will be automatically excluded on duration.
  • This is a development call; projects that are already in production are not eligible.
  • Successful applicants are expected to deliver a taster tape at the end of the development period.
  • The intention is for supported projects to submit completed taster tapes to Hot Docs, IDFA and other leading documentary festivals.

Priority will be given to:

Projects that can demonstrate serious interest from a national or international broadcaster or sales agent. Priority will be given to projects that have international distribution interest rather than projects picked up for only the UK and Ireland.

Key assessment criteria:

  • The quality of the proposed story and treatment.
  • The quality of the director’s previous film(s).
  • The track record of the creative team.
  • The level of interest from potential international distribution partners and the potential international appeal of the project.

FURTHER INFORMATION