About the Ardán/ RTÉ Short Film Commission 

The Ardán / RTÉ Short Film Commission is the longest running short film funding scheme in Ireland, set up over 30 years ago to give a voice and platform to emerging talent in the film industry in Ireland. 

Through the scheme writers, directors and producers are offered the opportunity to produce a live action short film of up to 10 minutes in length with funding of €15,000 with mentorship and guidance provided by experienced industry professionals through the process. 

A host of talent have graduated from the scheme and gone on to have successful careers in the Irish and international Film and TV industry including David Freyne (Dating Amber), Virginia Gilbert (Silent Witness), Juliette Bonass (Rosie, Glassland), Eimhear McMahon (You Were Never Really Here, I, Daniel Blake), Aaron Farrell (Vikings, Penny Dreadful, Love / Hate), Diarmuid Goggins (Kin, Red Rock, Silent Witness) and Morgan Bushe (Jihad Jane, The Belly Of The Whale). The films also featured many current household names such as Nora Jane Noone, Peter Coonan, Gerard McSorley, Ned Dennehy, Hilary Rose, Lalor Roddy and Liam Cunningham. 

Application Process 

Applications are invited for the Short Film Commission from teams comprising an individual writer, director and producer. Writer/directors will not be considered eligible as our aim is to create a role for each of the main 3 roles involved in the films production. Each person in the team would be expected to have previous experience in their relevant role in a funded short. 

An information day is held in Galway during each scheme to provide guidance and answer questions about the commission. At the info day there is an opportunity for individual applicants to pitch themselves with the idea of forming a team. 

Guidelines  

– Applications are accepted from teams of three people, which must comprise an individual Writer, Producer and Director.
– A team can only apply with one project for the scheme.
– A person can be a part of a maximum of two teams’ applications.
– The team members must be habitually resident in Ireland.
– Applicants must be 18 years of age or over
– Students in full time education are not eligible to apply
– Each member must have been previously involved in the making of a funded short film in their relevant role.
– Screenplays may be no longer than 12 pages and must be in industry-standard format.
– Films can be based and shot anywhere in Ireland.
– The films applied with can be English or Irish, but if it is an Irish language script, an English translated script must also be provided.
– Writers must submit a signed declaration of ownership of all materials. This is a document stating that the screenplay submitted is your original work.
– Crew lists for teams must be gender balanced.
– We welcome applications from people under-represented in the film industry, including disabled people and ethnically diverse people, people from low socio-economic backgrounds and others with protected characteristics. We are happy to adjust the process to meet any accessibility requirements for the right candidates. 

Submission Details: 

When applying, all of the following assets are required from each team’s application: 

Writers 

– A 10-minute industry standard screenplay (maximum 12 pages) (PDF format)
– A logline for the film (max 25 words)
– A Synopsis for the film (max 300 words) (one PDF)
– A signed declaration of ownership of all materials submitted (PDF format)
– One page CV containing relevant experience (biographies will not be accepted) (PDF format)  

Directors 

– One page CV containing relevant experience (biographies will not be accepted) (PDF format)
– Online link to your showreel, or previous work you have directed
– Director’s notes on the vision and planned execution for the submitted script (PDF Format) 

Producers 

– One page CV containing relevant experience (biographies will not be accepted) (PDF format)
– Online link to your showreel or previous work you have produced
– Producer’s notes on the on the vision and planned execution for the submitted script (PDF Format)
– Budget for the production (€15,000 budget to include Insurance, Festivals and/or Marketing) 
– (Gender balanced) Crew list. 

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