Screen Ireland have announced the selection of 15 projects for Spotlight, their structured development scheme for new and emerging screenwriting talent.
There were approximately 195 applications for the 15 grants available, which was an increase on the 10 originally offered before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The successful writers/writing teams will receive a development loan of up to €8,000 for an individual (up to €10,000 for teams of two or more individuals), will be assigned a script editor and have access to mentors through Screen Skills Ireland.
📢 It's happening! Screen Ireland is delighted to announce and congratulate the selected writers and projects for Spotlight, the 2020 structured development scheme aimed at discovering fresh, original screenwriting voices in Ireland. 💥👊👏https://t.co/lt1lhDgpk1
— Screen Ireland (@ScreenIreland) May 15, 2020
There will also be an industry showcase at the end of the scheme which will connect participants with industry contacts and develop opportunities for their career.
Eimear Markey, Screen Ireland Development Executive, said: "In such a highly competitive scheme, our main goal is to empower emerging writers with exciting, original, and diverse voices which this talented group of participants reflects.
"The purpose of the scheme is to act as a training springboard to viable careers as screenwriters. We now look forward to starting that journey with the new Spotlight participants."
The project's mandate was to discover fresh, original and diverse screenwriting talent, particularly for projects that were inclusive and representative of modern Ireland. 53% of the selected projects have been written by female talent.
The successful Spotlight projects are:
Quare by Fiona Shiel
Resurrection '77 by Sinead Collopy
Marie and Destiny by Eva Wyse
Fair Game by Maureen O’Connell & Gemma Creagh
Butterfly by Emma Wall
The Mount by Fiona Tuohy
What Would Rocky Do by Roisin Jones
Tough Old Broad by Denise Deegan
Consequences by Derek Ugochukwu
For Love Or Money by Ben Marcus
Son of Man by Michael J. Daly
Briefly Gorgeous by Ferdia MacAonghusa
Abilo and the Peacock King by Damian Ryan
Fish Scale by Andrew Lynch
Normality by C.K. Harris
