TG4, the BAI, Screen Ireland and the WRAP fund are on the lookout for a brand new Young Peoples’ Drama Series and they are calling on independent production companies to apply to develop and produce such a series for them. TG4 want a compelling drama which would appeal to younger viewers, in the way that ‘Aifric’, ‘The Middle’ & ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ have done previously.
A scheme has been set up by TG4 in collaboration with the BAI, Screen Ireland and the WRAP fund, to develop a drama series of between six and eight half-hour episodes, in Irish, for Young People. The target audience is from eight years and upwards and it will also have family appeal.
A budget of up to €1.2 million will be made available to the project, which will be produced for and broadcast on TG4. The cast will consist predominantly of young people, complemented by older, engaging characters, to appeal to a broad family demographic.
A panel of adjudicators from TG4, the Wrap fund, BAI & Screen Ireland will first choose three projects for development. The successful companies will be given funding to develop their ideas and a budget of up to €25,000 will be made available to each project for this.
At the end of the development phase, one project will be chosen and an application for financial support will be made for that to the next appropriate round of the BAI Sound & Vision funding strand.
We really do need more drama for Young People and we in TG4 are very excited that an entertaining series, with a strong cast and top quality episodes, will emerge from this scheme. We are extremely grateful to our funding partners who are so supportive of this new endeavour.
Mary Ellen Ní Chualáin, Commissioning Manager – TG4
This is a great initiative to stimulate new Irish language programming for young people. The BAI is excited to be involved in this partnership to develop quality programming in Irish as part of our commitment to promote diverse, culturally relevant content for Irish audiences. We look forward to seeing the final proposal that is submitted to the BAI’s Sound and Vision Scheme.
Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive – BAI
Ensuring children have access to Irish language drama made specifically for them is hugely important and allows young people to engage with the Irish language in a way that reflects their stories and their generation on screen. We are delighted to support this new scheme with our partners, which will also encourage production activity, creating employment across the West of Ireland.
James Hickey, Chief Executive – Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland
WRAP is delighted to give talented, local people a platform on which to tell their stories to Young People, in Irish. This is also a great example of a unique collaboration between TG4, WRAP, Screen Ireland and the BAI. WRAP is focussed on driving the growth and development of the screen industry in the West, through strategic, targeted, supports with help from our stakeholder partners, the Western Development Commission, Galway Film Centre, all seven local authorities and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Sarah Dillon, Development Manager – WRAP fund
The deadline for applications is Friday, 16th August, 2019, at 3pm. Decisions will be announced by September 2nd.
Further details on this scheme can be found on https://www.tg4.ie/en/production/commissioning/