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#Industry: Irish Film Board announce POV – A Production and Training Scheme for Female Creative Talent

As part of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board’s (IFB) ongoing commitment to empowering and supporting female creative talent, the POV Production & Training Scheme (POV) is a new filmmaking initiative aimed at female writers and directors.

The aim of this training scheme is to enable distinct Irish female voices with a passion to tell stories on the big screen through the development and production of feature films.

We are delighted to launch POV, a scheme dedicated to the development and production of female-led feature films. POV presents an exciting opportunity for Irish creative female filmmaking talent to bring their stories to the fore and is a crucial and integral scheme in allowing the IFB to implement the action points of its Six Point Plan and is also part of the IFB’s new ground-breaking funding initiatives for female talent announced at the 2017 Galway Film Fleadh.

The IFB remains steadfastly committed to achieving 50/50 gender equality within the Irish film, TV and animation industry and as we seek to empower female talent in bringing their unique and original narratives to screens, we hope that POV will provide an important launch-pad from which gender parity can be eventually achieved.
Annie Doona, Chair of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB)

What Are They Looking For?

POV is open to live action fiction feature films that can be produced at the required budget level of €400,000. There is no limitation on the genre, narrative style, content or other elements of the screenplay/story. They are looking for distinctive creative voices and exciting, bold visions, regardless of the type of film. They are interested in stories that will give us a real sense of place; stories that will transcend low production budgets, and engage audiences in Ireland and world-wide.

How Does It Work?

Applications are invited from Irish female director/female writer/producer teams who meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme. Up to ten applications will be shortlisted for interview with the aim of selecting six projects for a funded development step. Each of the six selected teams will be offered tailored support, access to networking events, as well as mentoring and high-level training with established industry professionals. After an intensive development process, up to three projects will be selected for production, with budgets of up to €400,000 per film. The selected films should be ready for production in 2019.

The initiative also extends to cast and crew with the produced projects providing many opportunities to upgrade. A strong gender balance will also be expected across all crew with training and mentorship opportunities afforded to all involved in the making of the films.

About the Scheme

The aim of POV is to enable distinct Irish female voices with a passion to tell stories on the big screen through the development and production of feature films. It is open to live action fiction feature films that can be produced at the required budget level of €400,000. There is no limitation on the genre, narrative style, content or other elements of the screenplay/story.

Up to six projects will be selected for an intensive development process which will include mentorship, workshopping and story development. Following this phase, three projects will be selected for production.

The three selected films should be ready for production in 2019. All crew working on the projects should be given the opportunity to upgrade. A strong gender balance will also be expected across all crew with training and mentorship opportunities afforded to all involved in the making of the films.

Who Can Apply

Applications are invited from Irish (each member must be born or resident in Ireland) producer/director/writer teams (where the producer and director is not the same person) subject to eligibility guidelines as follows:

  • Directors or Writer/Directors (female only) – must have previously directed at least one live action short film and/or television drama and/or commercials and/or viral-online series. Note that applications from more experienced Directors who are looking to build on their body of work or move into a different space within their filmmaking are very welcome.
  • Writers (female only) – must have previous writing experience eg. screen, stage, published or online work.
  • Producers (male or female) – must have previously produced at least one live action short film and/or television drama and/or commercials and/or viral-online series.

Information Seminar

An open information seminar about the POV scheme for all interested applicants will be held in March 2018 with full details to be confirmed soon.

How to Apply

It is extremely important that each applicant consults the POV Application Guidelines (downloadable below) in advance of making a submission. These outline in detail the application process and requirements, selection process and important conditions of the Scheme.

Applications can be made online using the ‘Make an Application’ button on this page (the system will be open to applications in late March 2018) . If you wish to make an application for funding by post, contact 091 561 398 for the relevant application form.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 1pm on Friday 13th April 2018. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

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