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GEAL GÁIRE

Filmbase and TG4 Announce Lasair 5 Short Film Award

Filmbase and TG4 are delighted to announce details of the 5th round of Lasair, the highly successful award scheme for short films made in the Irish language. The scheme is looking to support Ireland’s most exciting new filmmaking talent and will support up to six short films with funding and facilities worth up to €20,000 each.

This year films should be conceived to fit the theme Geal Gáire. Filmbase and TG4 would like to encourage filmmakers to develop work that will raise a laugh and brighten the spirits of the viewing audience. Previous films made through the Lasair scheme with a lighthearted and comic touch have proven to be extraordinarily successful with both Irish and international audiences with Daniel O’Hara’s Yu Ming is Ainm Dom winning over 40 international awards. It is hoped that films made under this years’ theme will continue that track record of audience and festival appeal.

The scheme hopes to provide genuine opportunities to support new creative talent with strong ideas that will appeal to Irish and international audiences.

Filmmakers may interpret the theme quite broadly but scripts that are comic, uplifting, positive or take an unusual and quirky view of life will be prioritised.

Guidelines

• The scheme is open to all forms including drama, comedy, animation, short sketches or other fictional formats.
• Scripts should be for the production of films between 10 and 25 minutes in duration.
• Cash awards averaging €10,000 each will be made. Some awards may be higher or lower at the discretion of the selection panel. All awards will receive matching production equipment and post-production facilities from Filmbase (subject to availability).
• Scripts should be capable of being realized under the budgets and supports available.
• The finished films should have potential to engage and entertain audiences on both television and at festivals.  The films will be broadcast in Primetime on TG4.
• The use of the Irish language should feel natural and appropriate to the script.
• Bilingual scripts (Irish and English or Irish and another language) will be considered if the majority of the script is in Irish.
• The scheme is particularly interested in giving opportunities to new and emerging Irish filmmakers and encourages anyone with strong, creative ideas that meet the theme to apply.
• Scripts should be at final draft stage. However, scripts may be polished with the assistance of a professional script editor before shooting.
• All films must be completed and delivered by September 28^th 2012 and will premiere at the Cork Film Festival followed by broadcast on TG4 in 2012.

How to Apply

Applications should be delivered to Filmbase no later than 5pm Friday 27^th January 2012.

Applications should include:

• 1 Signed Application Form
• 1 copy of the script with full contact details for the applicant clearly marked on the cover page.
• 3 copies of the script with the title only on the cover and no other identifying information on the script.

Applications should be addressed to:

Lasair
Filmbase
Curved Street
Temple Bar
Dublin 2

Late applications will not be processed.

Application forms may be downloaded here.

Shortlisted Applications

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview with their production team (Writer, Producer, Director) at Filmbase in February 2012. Shortlisted applicants will be required to submit additional information, including:

Full budget
Production and shooting schedule
Notes on style and treatment
CVs for key creative team
Suggestions for cast and crew

The shortlist interviews will include representatives from TG4 and Filmbase, along with an independent director. The interviews will clarify the creative ambitions of the applicant team, and discuss the practicality of completing the projects to a high, professional standard under the resources available.

Additional Information

• Scripts may be bilingual however, all dialogue, where appropriate, must be written in Irish
• Applications are open to all applicants with projects that match the award guidelines. Please note that for this round of Lasair applications would be welcomed from full-time students who were ineligible for previous rounds of the scheme. Scripts would also be welcomed from Northern Irish applicants.
• Scripts and supporting documentation will not be returned.
• The applicant must be a fully paid up member of Filmbase before applying.
• Complete delivery must be made on or before the 28^th September 2012.
• If the applicant is not the author of the script they must verify copyright ownership of the script (proof of this will be required if shortlisted for interview).

Further Information

An information session on the Lasair scheme will be held at Filmbase in November for interested applicants. If you are interested in attending, please email events@filmbase.ie and we will notify you as soon as details are confirmed.