The Cine4 Development Scheme for Irish language live-action feature films: Call for applications

TG4, Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland (FÉ) and the Coimisiún na Meán (CnaM) are launching the Cine4 Development Scheme to support dynamic and original work from Irish creative talent committed to making feature films in the Irish language.

Open to live action feature film projects in the Irish language, the Cine4 scheme aims to encourage strong storytelling, visual flair and high production values appropriate to the big screen. Films may be of any genre and must demonstrate the potential to appeal to Irish and international audiences. Take note the Cine4 scheme at its core is to foster Irish language writers and develop new and emerging talent. The produced projects with budgets of up to €1.8 million will be given a full festival life and theatrical release prior to their premiere on TG4.

The Cine4 scheme comprises of four phases – (i) initial applications (ii) the first development stage of €25,000 for selected four projects and (iii) Second development of €25,000 for the selected two projects out of the four and (iv) the production stage. Following receipt of initial applications, up to four projects will be selected by a panel of assessors from TG4, FÉ and CnaM to enter supported development phase one with budgets for each project of up to €25,000 (jointly funded by TG4, FÉ and CnaM). Upon completion of the development phase one, two projects will be selected and will be awarded an additional budget of €25,000 (jointly funded by TG4 and FÉ) for phase two of development. An additional €25,000 is available for this development phase and is discretionary as to who can avail of it. This additional funding is being offered as this scheme is as its core to foster Irish language writers and to develop new and emerging talent. Once development has been completed, projects will then be put forward to the next appropriate CnaM ‘Sound & Vision’ Fund and FÉ Production Funding round.

Who Can Apply?

The Cine4 Development Scheme is open to suitably qualified audio-visual production companies with clear access to the necessary rights in any material being developed for the big screen. Priority will be given to production companies who have a clear policy to develop the Irish language as a working language of production, companies who have a key aim to achieve gender balance across the selected creative teams and companies who have a culture which encourages coproduction and internationalisation.

Eligibility Guidelines

• The scheme is open to live action fiction feature films (90 to 120 minutes) and is not open to animation.

• Irish language Writers

• The proposed producer and director must not be the same person.

• There is no limitation on the genre, narrative style, content or other elements of the screenplay/story but projects will have to meet the themes of the CnaM Sound and Vision Scheme to be eligible for production support.

• Projects previously in receipt of development funding from TG4, FÉ or any other agency are ineligible.

• The Cine4 scheme is not open to full-time or part-time students.

• Production budgets for each project should not exceed €1,800,000 to be funded by TG4, FÉ, CnaM (subject to successfully receiving CnaM Sound & Vision support) and Section 481. No further third-party co-production funding should be sought.

How To Apply

• The application deadline is October 25th 2024 at 4pm. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered, and it is incumbent on the production company to ensure that delivery has been effected.

• All submissions must be made electronically, in Irish and solely through the TG4 commissioning system. If you have not already done so, you must first register your company on the TG4 eCoimisiúin website https://ecomm.tg4.ie/ and upload your application by choosing ‘Cine4 – Forbairt 2024’ from the dropdown menu before the deadline. A receipt will be generated automatically.

• For any queries in relation to the online submission process, please email Majella Nic Dhonnacha majella.nic.dhonnacha@tg4.ie

• TG4, FÉ and CnaM aim to notify successful applicants by end of December 2024.

Application Requirements

• Logline (up to 25 words) and Synopsis (up to half an A4 page)

• Treatment/Outline (6-10 pages max)

• Short character descriptions including character arcs (1 page max)

• Writers Notes on further development (1 page max)

• Directors Notes on project (1 page max)

• Producers Creative notes on the project (1 page max)

• Details of key creative team – producer, writer, director (combined 1 page max)

• Development Budget (1 page max)

• Evidence of Ownership of Rights.

These items should be consolidated into one clear pdf document and uploaded to the TG4 online commissioning system as per the instructions above.

Further information

TG4 Executives are available prior to the deadline for short meetings with prospective applicants.

For information on how to set up a meeting or if you have questions regarding any aspect of this scheme, please e-mail Máire Ní Chonláin maire.ni.chonlain@tg4.ie agus Deirbhile Ní Churraighín deirbhile.ni.churraighin@tg4.ie.