Creative Economy

Creative Heartlands Adaptation Film Bursary

Opens for applications: Monday 3rd March 2025
Closing date for applications: Midnight, Sunday, 11th May, 2025

The Creative Heartlands Adaptation Film Bursary is an annual award by Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon local authorities under the Creative Ireland Programme with the support of the Irish Talent Academy. The award is open to both established and emerging filmmakers and production companies, living/working in the region, and designed to support collaboration among filmmaking teams in the development of an original Adaptation Film project.

The ambition of the initiative is to produce a short film that is complementary to an original work by a regional artist (rather than a literal translation). The raw material or original work must be that of a living artist (or artists) from any arts discipline from either Sligo, Leitrim or Roscommon such as a piece of visual art, theatre, music, poetry, or literary fragment etc.
This is an opportunity for the filmmaker to express, in film, the essence of the original work. Final films to be delivered in HD 1080p.

Three bursaries are available to film teams, each to the value of €6,000. Bursaries will be paid in two parts - €5,000 on award; €1,000 balance on completion and delivery. Films are to be delivered by 8th September 2025 for presentation at Adaptation Film Weekend (18th – 21st Sept 2025) and Roscommon International Film Festival (10th & 11th October).
One film will be commissioned from a filmmaking team based in each of the counties that are part of Creative Heartlands project – Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. The address of the lead applicant will determine the county of origin of the application.

  • Notes:
    • The successful recipients can avail of the Creative Heartlands Editing and Shooting Equipment
    • Mentoring support is available from Creative Heartlands Film Development Manager
    • Applications are invited from teams led by professional* practicing film artists/producers/directors
    • The successful bursaries will be awarded based on information supplied in the application
  • Eligibility:
    • Each application must be led by a professional* practicing film artist/producer/director based in either Sligo, Leitrim or Roscommon.
    • *Although you might not earn income continuously or exclusively from your arts practice, applicants must identify themselves and be recognised by their peers as professional practicing artists.
  • Assessment Criteria:
    • Track record of those involved in the project (20%)
    • Likely benefit to artists involved in the project that live/work in the region. (20%)
    • Artistic quality of the proposal (film proposal and original work) (20%)
    • Evidence of collaboration and distinct roles among the film team. (20%)
    • Feasibility (20%)

 

The programme opens for applications on Monday 3rd March 2025. In the interim you can download a copy of the application form to support your planning - DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM

Deadline for applications is Midnight, Sunday, 11th May, 2025

Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 16th May 2025

 

Apply Now

 

For any clarification, please contact creativeheartlandsfilm@gmail.com