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Filmbase and RTÉ are seeking Ireland's most exciting new filmmaking talent and will support four short film projects with funding and facilities worth up to €20,000 each in 2012.
Short films have long been the proving ground for many of those who want to become professional filmmakers. Filmbase, along with RTÉ, are hoping to give the next generation of Irish filmmakers a chance to get their films made with funding and industry support. The films will be supported through the Filmbase/ RTÉ Short Film Award scheme which has been running for over 20 years and aims to provide new and emerging Irish filmmakers with an opportunity to make their first short films.
With two short films in the running for an Oscar this year, and with seven Oscar nominations for short films in the previous eight years, Ireland is punching well above its weight internationally when it comes to talent, craft and passion for telling cinematic stories. When short films are successful at festivals and on television they bring attention to the filmmakers involved which can create an awareness of their work and help them get their next projects financed. Since the inception of the Filmbase/RTÉ award over 100 films have been funded and filmmakers who have received early career support from the scheme have included Kirsten Sheridan (In America, Disco Pigs, August Rush), John Moore (Behind Enemy Lines, Flight of the Phoenix), Martina Niland (producer of Once) and 2011 IFTA/Irish Film Board Rising Star nominee Ian Power (The Runway).
Successful applicants for the awards will receive up to €10,000 in cash towards the production budget for their film. Each production will also receive access to film production equipment and editing facilities from Filmbase to a matching value of €10,000 along with advice and support for making the films. The shorts will be broadcast on RTÉ and may also be shown on RTÉ's websites, but filmmakers will also be encouraged to submit the film to festivals both in Ireland and abroad. Previous films have a long track record of festival success, including screenings at Cannes, Sundance, Palm Springs, Berlin, Clermont-Ferrand. Recently Marc-Ivan O'Gorman's Blood Coloured Moon launched the inaugural Irish Film Festival of India in New Delhi and Ged Murray's Small Time won Best Comedy at the Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival in Cork.
Competition for short film funding in Ireland is intense and the Filmbase/RTÉ scheme is one of the few opportunities open to new filmmakers. The emphasis in the Filmbase/ RTÉ scheme is on the quality of the creative ideas; for the initial application entrants are only required to submit a script. Projects are shortlisted on the basis of the script alone. Those shortlisted will be invited to interview at which stage additional information (budget, schedule etc.) about the project will be sought. The deadline for the second round of the award this year is Friday 28th September 2012. Up to two awards will be made in this round.
We are keen to find new voices in Irish audio-visual production so think outside the box and don't forget the story is key! We have included some notes below including a case study for a Filmbase/RTÉ funded short to help you as you prepare your application. Please ensure you read all of the guidelines thoroughly before applying. And even if you have applied for the scheme before, make sure to read these guidelines in full as updates/changes are made between rounds.
Award Details:
- Max. two awards per round with two rounds this year (Deadlines: Fri 30th March and Fri 28th Sept 2012).
- The scheme is open to applications from any genre (drama, comedy, rom-com, film noire, etc.) and can be live-action, animation or experimental works.
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Film is to be completed on film or broadcast quality video.
- The award includes a cash award of approximately €10,000 and a production package with up to 5 days of production equipment hire and 3 weeks of post-production hire from Filmbase (visit the Equipment Section for more details on what equipment/facilities are available).
- Some awards may be higher or lower at the discretion of the panel.
- Projects submitted should be pitched at the award scheme, i.e. with a duration and production values so that the film can be completed with the finance and production package available.
- Awards are made to the Production Company.
Application Guidelines 2012:
NB Please read the following guidelines carefully even if you have applied before
- Two copies of the script, along with one copy of the completed application form should be submitted to the Filmbase Office by the advertised deadline.
- The completed application form should be attached to just one copy of the script. The second copy of the script should only have the title of the script on the cover page and a copy of your brief synopsis (max. 100 words). It should have NO identifying contact details on it. (this is the copy that will be sent to the reader)
- Scripts should be approx. 8 - 15 minutes in duration (animation scripts under 8 minutes can be submitted).
- Scripts must be formatted correctly (eg courier font, size 12 etc). See the resource notes below for advice on formatting.
- Applicants for the award must be fully paid up members of Filmbase as of the deadline date. Visit our membership page for more info.
- If the applicant is not the author of the script they must verify copyright ownership of the script (proof of this will be required if called for interview).
- Max. 3 scripts per applicant. (Corporate members can submit up to 9 applications in total).
- Scripts must not be bound and should be stapled in the top left hand corner.
- Additional materials (eg budgets, production notes etc) should NOT be submitted at this time.
(NB up to two pages (A4) of art work may be submitted along with the script for animation applications only).
- Scripts will not be returned.
- No feedback is given on scripts.
- Full-time students are ineligible.
- Award-winners must not apply to RTÉ for any additional funding for their project.
Additional Info:
- All scripts will be read and a shortlist drawn up of approximately ten projects.
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The shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview at Filmbase with their production team. They must submit their complete production notes (budget, schedule, cast & crew ideas, Writer/Director/Producer CVs etc) in advance of the interview.
- Principal photography must begin within six months of issue of contract.
- A final print must be delivered to Filmbase no later than three months after the start of principal photography.
- RTÉ reserves the right to two standard broadcasts in the Republic of Ireland of the finished film as per the contract. Filmbase will hold onto non-exclusive webcasting rights.
- Previous award winners are ineligible for further Filmbase/RTÉ awards for one year after the delivery of final print of the film.
The above information is provided as a guideline, full and final requirements will be outlined in full in the contract supplied to the successful applicants on receipt of an award.
Schedule - ROUND ONE - 2012
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Round One Deadline:
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APPLICATIONS FOR THIS ROUND ARE NOW CLOSED (deadline was 30th March 2012)
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Acknowledgement emails sent to all applicants:
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Wednesday 11th April*
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Shortlisted applicants notified:
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Week of 18th June 2012
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Interviews:
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end July / early August 2012
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Selected projects commissioned:
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mid-August 2012
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Delivery of completed film:
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May 2013
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Please note this schedule may be subject to change.
*If you have not received an acknowledgement email yet please contact Filmbase immediately to ensure we have received your application.
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Schedule - ROUND TWO - 2012
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Round Two Deadline:
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5pm Friday 28th September 2012
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Acknowledgement emails sent to all applicants:
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by close of business week ending Fri 12th October*
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Shortlisted applicants notified:
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End December 2012 / early January 2013
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Interviews:
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early February 2013
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Selected projects commissioned:
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February 2013
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Delivery of completed film:
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November 2013
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Please note this schedule may be subject to change.
*If you do not receive an acknowledgement email by the date noted above please contact Filmbase immediately to ensure we have received your application.
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Application Form & Deadline:
DEADLINE: 5pm FRIDAY 28th SEPTEMBER 2012
All applicants must complete the following application form and include it along with two copies of their script. Please make sure you have read the guidelines in full before applying!
Filmbase/RTÉ Short Film Awards Application Form 2012 (pdf 45kb)
Filmbase/RTÉ Short Film Awards Application Form 2012 (word 76kb)
Please read the above application guidelines before submitting an application for the award.
If you require further information about the Filmbase/RTÉ Short Film Awards please contact Clare at Filmbase by email on clare filmbase.ie (include 'Awards Query' in the subject line).
Case Study & Resources:
The Filmbase/RTÉ Short Film Award scheme is an extremely competitive funding award scheme; every year we receive hundreds of applications for just a handful of awards. In order to help you with your application we have gathered together some handy tips and notes from a previous award-winner, reader and funder. This information is intended as a helpful resource so we hope you find it useful. Unfortunately there is no exact formula for a successful script so don't forget that these notes and tips are intended as a useful resource and guide and are by no means definitive!
Watch Short Films:
You can now watch a number of Filmbase/RTÉ funded short films on the Filmbase YouTube channel. Films available to watch there now are Free Chips Forever! by Claire Dix, Jellybaby written by Pierce Ryan and directed by Rob & Ronan Burke and Tufty by Jason & Brendan Butler. We also have a case study available for the short Tufty, check it out below.
www.youtube.com/filmbase
Case Study: Tufty
Tufty by Jason and Brendan Butler was selected for funding through the Filmbase/RTÉ Short Film Award scheme in January 2007. This brief case study offers the chance to view a selection of documents and footage including the original script, test footage, storyboard notes and the final film.
More details HERE>
Advice from a Script Reader (pdf download)
This one-pager is a brief document written up by a script reader for the scheme a number of years ago. The reference to the Celtic Tiger gives it away as being a little old however, the tips outlined are still as relevant as ever! (Please note these tips are intended as a guideline only. Please make sure to read the above guidelines fully before applying for the award).
Advice from a script reader (pdf): CLICK HERE>
Advice from a former RTÉ Development Executive (pdf)
This document includes notes from a former RTÉ Development Executive involved in overseeing the scheme for a number of years. (Please note this is intended as a guideline only. Always make sure to read the full award guidelines for any scheme that you may be applying for).
Advice from a former RTÉ Development Executive (pdf): CLICK HERE>
Training:
Don't forget Filmbase run a whole host of Training Courses including Scriptwriting evening and day courses.
Our two-day intensive course with Mary-Kate O'Flanagan on Writing & Rewriting Short Films takes place over one weekend (30th June & 1st July) and is ideal for anyone interested in developing their short film script. More on this course HERE>
For a full list of courses available visit our Training Page.
If you require further information about the Filmbase/RTÉ Short Film Awards please contact Clare at Filmbase by email on clarefilmbase.ie (include 'Awards Query' in the subject line).
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