Kildare County Council Arts Service/Short Grass Films invites applications to the Kildare Short Grass Film Commission Award 2024. This Commission aims to support film production in the county, by commissioning an original film to be shot in County Kildare in 2024/25. Applications are invited for original script ideas from filmmakers at all stages of their development.
Under the Kildare Short Grass Film Commission scheme €12,500 will be awarded towards the cost of the film production. Short film, feature film, documentary, animation, experimental and artist films will all be considered.
It is envisaged that the filming will be complete within a calendar year of the award. Kildare County Council will support the awardee to realise the project (details below).
More than one submission can be made by an applicant, but each submission must have a separate application form.
We welcome applicants who represent the diversity of Irish society. We encourage applications from all areas of the community regardless of your gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller Community, or socio-economic background.
We welcome applications from artists whose first language is not English.
Although not an obligatory requirement, applicants to all grants offered by Kildare County Council Arts Service might consider demonstrating how their activity addresses the themes of climate change and climate action.
Although not an obligatory requirement, applicants to all grants offered by Kildare County Council Arts Service might consider demonstrating how their proposed activity addresses the themes of inclusivity, equality and cultural diversity.
Kildare County Council is committed to fair pay and a policy to Pay the Artist. Please refer to the Arts Council's policy on
Paying the Artist.
Your attention is also drawn to
safetocreate.ie, where you will find more information about the Safe to Create Dignity at Work programme which aims to impact change on the culture and practices of the arts sector in Ireland to provide safer working conditions for artists and arts workers.
STAGE ONE
Complete the online application form including mandatory supporting material.
Short listing of applications may take place. Short listing will be based on:
- the quality and originality of the script idea;
- the collective track record and skills of the leading creative team;
- the methodology and ability to deliver a film project.
STAGE TWO
Applicants who are shortlisted will be invited to attend for interview with an independent panel. It is expected that interviews will be held online in April 2024.
At interview shortlisted applicants will -
- introduce the lead creative team (Producer, Director, Writer or other members of the team that the applicants would like to attend);
- provide a detailed project proposal with schedule;
- discuss their ideas for making a film;
- discuss how their proposal will consider County Kildare as a film location and if/how local cast and crew may be involved;
- demonstrate budget clarity and deliverability.
- discuss health and safety, insurances, copyright, etc
STAGE TWO assessment criteria: A series of qualitative award criteria are set out below. Marks are allocated for each of the award criteria. Applicants must provide information in response to all award criteria.
- The originality and creativity of the proposal (55%)
- The ability to deliver the proposal with resources available (25%)
- The consideration of Co Kildare as a film location (10%)
- The consideration of the inclusion of Kildare based cast and crew, including opportunities for shadowing, training or mentoring of cast and crew (10%)
Supports offered by Kildare County Council to recipients of the Short Grass Film Commission
- Administrative support
- Assistance to source locations for filming
- Assistance with sourcing technical crew and casting
- Promotion and publicity including coordinating a local launch event
- Post-production facilities offered in Platform4 Digital Media Studio
- Production supports (by advance agreement)
Application deadline
Applications will only be accepted via the online application form.
Applications must be submitted before the deadline at 12pm Wednesday 28th February 2024.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
We suggest that applicants try to submit their application form early in case of technical difficulties. Should they arise, please email arts@kildarecoco.ie and we will endeavour to respond as soon as possible.
Supporting Material
It is advantageous to include supporting material that enhances your application. Applicants should not assume that the independent assessment panel are familiar with your work or your previous funding history. The panel will use the supporting material to get a better understanding of the track record of your creative collaborator(s) and the feasibility of your proposal.
Applicants to the Kildare Short Grass Film Commission 2024 must include
- CVs of the lead creative team (Producer, Director, Writer or other members of the team that the applicants wish to include);
- Screenplay;
- Treatment and one page synopsis, and
- Visual support material. The visual support material should give us a sense of your project and may include images, a trailer, a video link, interviews, a storyboard, scrapbook, etc. Please keep all video material below 3 minutes in duration and send to us in a password protected Vimeo link.
Information Session
Kildare County Council Arts Service will host a number of Information Sessions in locations throughout the county about applying for arts grants and bursary awards with Kildare County Council. Sessions will be of particular interest to individual artists, art collectives, community groups, youth groups and schools who intend to apply for Arts Grants from Kildare County Council in 2024.
Information Sessions:
Please note that information imparted at each session will be the same - there is no need to register to attend all 3 sessions. All are welcome to attend this FREE session, but booking is recommended.
In addition, an information video will be made available via Kildare Arts Service’s
YouTube and social media channels from Monday 22nd January 2024.
If you need help to complete and submit your application we want to hear from you. Please email or call the Arts Service team at least three weeks before the award deadline, or as early as possible, to give us time to assist you. Email: arts@kildarecoco.ie / Tel: 045 980872.