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Tús and Céim Eile Short Film Funding Recipients Announced

TG4, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund, are delighted to announce the successful recipients of the Tús and Céim Eile short film funding schemes.

11.02.26

 
Tús: 3 short film projects awarded €30,000 each (12 mins max.)

Céim Eile: 3 films awarded €100,000 each (30 mins max.)
 

Following the success of the investment made in the Cine4 and TG4/Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland Television Drama Development schemes devised to reach the next generation of talented writers, TG4, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF) have collaborated to encourage new writing for the screen.

Launched in 2024, this is the second iteration of this initiative and underlinesFís Éireann/Screen Ireland, the ILBF and TG4’s ongoing commitment to developing strength and depth in Irish language film making. This year’s intake of proposals proved to be extremely competitive, and the selection panel were impressed with the high standard of the applications
 

“The quality and ambition of the submissions to this year’s Tús and Céim Eile initiatives was extremely impressive. These schemes play a crucial role in supporting emerging Irish-language talent, and TG4 is proud to work with Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund to place the Irish language at the heart of contemporary screen storytelling.” – Mary Ellen Ní Chualáin, Commissioning Manager TG4
 

“It was wonderful to witness the creativity and ambition evident in the applications for 2025 Tús and Céim Eile initiative. The range of stories told and breadth of themes covered indicates a great future for the screen writing in the Irish language. It was wonderful to work so closely with our partners in TG4 and the ILBF to place the Irish language firmly at the centre of our national storytelling and congratulations to all behind the successful projects named today.” – Keith Potter: Head of Feature Film, Screen Ireland
 

“After twenty years of shaping talent and transforming the landscape of Irish-language storytelling, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund continues to support a new wave of creative voices. This year’s Tús and Céim Eile schemes attracted an outstanding calibre of applications, reflecting the confidence and ambition of a sector in full stride. Through our partnership with TG4 and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, we are accelerating the discovery and development of Irish-speaking writers and directors, ensuring Irish-language drama is not only sustained but increasingly visible, influential and internationally resonant.” – Áine Walsh, Chief Language & Cultural Officer & Head of ILBF at Northern Ireland Screen
 
 

An Scoilt: A rower struggles to navigate the strong currents of her relationships and ambitions at a pivotal moment in her young life. Writer/Director: Barra Convery. Producer: Leeona Duff (Upon Blue Ridge Productions)

Fear: The new principal of an Irish college finds himself struggling with a tricky dilemma: where to house 15-year-old transgender girl Dreoilín, with the girls or the boys? Writers: Grace Mulvey & Antóin Beag Ó Colla. Director: Oisín Ó Heartáin.

Haigh a Chairde!: A wannabe social media influencer struggles to maintain her real-world relationships. Writer/Director: Louise Richardson. Producer: Brídín Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh (Danú Media).
 

An Mháthair: A mother resolves to avenge her son’s death when she encounters the young man who killed him. Writer: Seán Keeley. Director: Vincent Gallagher. Producer: (Keeper Pictures).

Ar Strae: The night takes a dark turn when a young woman finds herself alone at an after party with a group of men she barely knows. Writer/Director: Ciara Ní É. Producers: Robert Davis & Jamie O’Rourke. (South Paw Pictures)

Rith Maith: While out for a run in the countryside to manage his anxiety, a man happens upon a gangster and his sidekick in the process of disposing of a body. Writer/Director: Oisín Mistéil. Producer: Ailbhe Nic Dhonncha (Tua Films).
 

Notes for the Editor:

Tús is a Short Film Irish language Script Initiative (12 minutes maximum) for New Writers & Creators. The aim of Tús, is to encourage, foster and promote new drama in Irish and to support various Irish speaking creative voices at an early stage of their careers. The three projects announced today have emerged from the second round of the selection process which initially short listed 10 short-form scripts for further development. The successful projects have been awarded €30,000 to produce their film.

Céim Eile is a ½ hour Short Film Script Initiative for New Writers & Creators, it was devised to encourage emerging Irish speaking talent and fluent Irish speakers must be confirmed for each successful project. The stories should be diverse, innovative and ambitious and challenging in terms of content, style and approach. Eight projects were initially selected for further development with a script editor and from this