IRISH FICTION FILM SCRIPTS SOUGHT

GALWAYFILMCENTRE are inviting applications for their 2001 Short Script Awards, the award scheme for new short Irish fiction films.
The scheme, now in its sixth year, is designed to promote film-making throughout the regions and is open to emerging film-makers with original scripts which display strong cinematic visualisation and a fresh Irish perspective.
Three awards are available from a total production fund of £21,000.
Projects must be original and imaginative. Particular emphasis will be placed on the quality of writing, this being the key factor. Scripts must convey an appropriate filmic and cinematic quality in both their visualisation and narrative structure. Short stories, in need of subsequent adaptation for the screen, are not suitable; clarity and refinement are crucial. Scripts should not require significant development subsequent to selection.
Due to the scale of budget, maximum £7,000 per project, it is envisaged that projects will be dramas, probably contemporary in setting and will ideally run between five to 15 minutes.
Projects will need a solid, achievable production plan, to be well researched and budgeted and key crew will need to be clearly available. In their production plans longer projects should demonstrate corresponding economies in terms of design, number of characters and locations. Most applicants will not have previously worked with substantial budgets or projects.
Successful entrants will benefit from a supportive ‘mentoring’ provision, whereby experienced broadcast producers and directors will be made available to offer practical advice and guidance at all stages of production. Galway Film Centre and Radio Telefís Éireann have absolute discretion in the assignment of such mentors.
The Awards are expressly designed to promote regional film-making. Entries are encouraged from all over in Ireland. These criteria are not intended to rule out participation by film-makers primarily working in Dublin; however, there is a clear emphasis on the location of subject matter, personnel, filming and post-production in the regions and such factors will be taken into account when judging entries.
Applications should be sent to: Short Script Awards, galwayfilmcentre Cluain Mhuire, Monivea Road, Galway.
The deadline for applications is September 21 2001. (CD)