Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland has announced the 27 projects selected for The Voice: a new Director Conceptual Development Fund aimed at generating exceptional screen work with the early creative leadership of a director.
The fund was opened in May in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of a suite of measures to provide practical and effective support for production companies and creative talent. Collaborating closely with the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland, The Voice was conceived as an investment in the director’s early vision to develop high-value projects for film, TV (both animation and live action) and documentary.
27 emerging and established directors’ projects have been selected for the scheme, each setting out a vision for an ambitious mixture of multiplatform formats, innovative genre projects and creative IP development. The aim of the scheme is to enable directors to create a proof of concept for a feature film or TV series ready to take to a production company or directly to the market.
Sincere congratulations to all the recipients of the Director’s Conceptual Development Fund. This fund was designed to recognise and support established and emerging directors in Ireland and their outstanding creative screen work. We’re looking forward to seeing the original and ambitious projects that will emerge from this initiative.
Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive – Screen Ireland
Screen Ireland also noted that a 50/50 gender balance was achieved in the selection process, with 14 of the 27 projects helmed by female directors.
The successful directors and projects are:
| Director | Project Title | Format |
| Hugh O’Connor | This Fire | Feature Film |
| Ruth Meehan | How To Be Liked | Transmedia Series |
| Kim Bartley | The Fence | Documentary |
| Lorcan Finnegan | Strange Coast | TV Drama |
| Margaret Corkery | The Holiday | Feature Film |
| Alan Gilsenan | The Parting Glass | Feature Film |
| Dearbhla Walsh | Prodigal | Feature Film |
| Kristen Sheridan | Grace | TV Drama |
| Paddy Breathnach | Cold Eye | Feature Film |
| Lee Cronin | Evil Dad | TV Drama |
| James Cotter | Fiona’s Demons | TV Drama |
| David Freyne | Arthur Mackey | TV Drama |
| Andrea Harkin | No Man’s Land | Feature Film |
| Maurice O’Brien | This Is My Truth | Documentary |
| Carmel Winters | Fly Up To The Moon | Animated Feature |
| Louise Ni Fhiannachta | Skinfull | Feature Film |
| Aisling Walsh | Dorothea Lange Project | Feature Film |
| Kevin O’Farrell | Two Buses | Feature Film |
| Tristan Heanu | Dust | Feature Film |
| Claire Byrne | Wrapped | Feature Film |
| Myrid Carten | No Place Like Home | Documentary |
| Alice McDowell | Rainsong | Documentary |
| Louise Lowe | Hentown | 3 x 30′ TV Drama |
| Kitty Leong | What You Made Here | Feature Film |
| Pat Comer | Whack | Feature Film |
| Thomas Ryan | Fred & Ginger | Feature Film |
| Bob Gallagher | The Song Collector | Feature Film |