Screen Ireland Launches New Pathways Funding Scheme with a Focus on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Pathways Scheme Open for Applications from Producer Companies to Support Crew from Diverse and Under-Represented Backgrounds 

Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland (Screen Ireland) has launched a call for applications to a new funding scheme designed to develop and grow the crew base in Ireland, which is underpinned by a commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).  

The growth of the Irish creative screen industries has created further need for highly skilled production crew. Screen Ireland is committed to ensuring that the resulting opportunities for employment and skills development in the industry are open to all.   

A new Crew Development DEI Fund, Pathways, will invest €500,000 to drive wider representation and access to the creative screen industry. The fund is open to producer companies to support work placements and above-the-line shadowing on production for crew from diverse and under-represented backgrounds and those where access to the film industry would be limited. These placements will be open to crew of all grades.  

Pathways aims to contribute to a diverse, thriving Irish screen sector and will place emphasis on ensuring that individuals are suitably supported in their development on productions.  
The announcement of this fund follows the success of Passport to Production, a skills development initiative for new entrants looking to take up their first position as a trainee crew member, including from groups who have previously been underrepresented in the industry.  

Through Passport to Production, 71 new entrants have received training on the essential skills required for working on a live action set, delivered by industry experts and professional crew. To date, 55 of those new entrants have already undertaken work placements, with the remaining individuals expected to be placed on upcoming productions. 
Skills Manager, Gareth Lee, said, “The growth of the Irish production sector is a major success story for the industry and has created significant employment opportunities and ongoing skills gaps. The Pathways fund announced today represent an investment in addressing skills needs for below the line production crew across all departments, while ensuring access to and participation in the exciting range of crew roles is open to a diverse range of talent from all backgrounds.” 

You can find the Pathways call and details on how to apply here.

Applications for the fund are open from now until 31st December 2021.