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About the Funding
Criteria
Who Can Apply
Making an Application

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Funding for feature films and TV drama originated and principally managed from outside Ireland which use Ireland as a location and/or production base, with local services provided by an Irish producer.

This funding programme is currently suspended following the introduction of a higher level of tax incentive (Section 481) net benefit in 2009.

However, from March 2010, in certain circumstances projects that would normallly fall into the category described here, i.e. projects of scale that are primarily managed from outside Ireland, may still be considered for BSÉ/IFB funding. If successful, the award of funding will be made from either the Fiction Irish Production allocation or the Fiction Creative Co-Production allocation, as deemed appropriate in light of the project's structure and the resources available in each category.

Eligibility of International Production projects on this exceptional basis is governed by specific guidelines. A project may be considered if, and only if:

• It is a feature film (TV drama projects are not eligible); and
• It depicts Ireland as Ireland, rather than availing of Irish locations primarily for economic reasons; and
• It will create a strongly leveraged economic effect in Ireland in relation to BSÉ/IFB's investment, particularly in terms of employment.

Producers of International Production projects may also be interested to refer to the website page on which BSÉ/IFB new International Development Loans are described. 
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The following guidelines, which governed applications for the earlier, dedicated funding for International Production, are reproduced here for information since they remain broadly relevant to any applications made under the current arrangements.

About the Funding
Funding is provided in the form of limited-recourse loans recoverable from a share of revenues from exploitation of the film and entitling BSÉ/IFB to a share of net profits.

Applicants should be thoroughly aware of the regulations and limits that govern the amount of funding BSÉ.IFB can provide to a project. These can be found on the Regulations & Limits page of the Overview section of this website.

BSÉ/IFB production funding is generally provided during production in accordance with an agreed cashflow. International Production funding is directly linked to consideration of a film or TV programme’s economic effect and funding is released in strict tranches as set out at the end of the next section (Criteria). Before starting to fund, BSÉ/IFB will need to be satisfied that all other providers of finance to the production are committed and contracted, and that the amount of finance available is sufficient to cover the entire budget.

An approved completion bond is a normal requirement by BSÉ/IFB where its funding is to be made available during production. The appointment of a collection agent is also normally required.

Criteria
Funding decisions with regard to International Production are subject in broad terms to BSÉ/IFB’s normal cultural criteria but more industrially driven than creatively driven. Provided the principal producer has a good track record, and the creative package appears plausible, assessment by BSÉ/IFB will be based primarily on consideration of the economic ‘multiplier’ effect of its funding, and of the opportunities for Irish personnel to be employed in key positions.

As a general rule, and particularly when demand outstrips the funding available, BSÉ/IFB will exercise a strong preference for feature films over TV drama for this kind of support. BSÉ/IFB recognises that awards of funding to feature films may need to be higher than awards to TV drama. TV drama will normally be considered only if an Irish director is employed; and BSÉ/IFB will also expect to see Irish personnel employed as heads of department wherever possible.

In order to ensure that this type of funding creates a significant economic multiplier effect, BSÉ/IFB will make an assessment of a project’s Irish creative expenditure versus the total amount of Irish public funding to be provided to the project (i.e. when Section 481 net benefit and International Production funding are added together).  BSÉ/IFB will expect this ratio to be at least 3 : 1 in the case of feature films, and at least 4 : 1 in the case of TV drama.  

Particular reference will be made to:

1. Irish employment in all grades
   • favouring projects that can offer employment in lead creative roles including director, key cast, director of photography, production designer, costume designer, editor and composer

 

1. Contribution to Irish audiovisual infrastructure
   • favouring projects that will utilise studios and post-production facilities

 

1. Spend in the Irish economy
   • favouring projects that will deliver significant economic activity additional to that generated by other Irish funding including Section 481 (tax-based incentive funding)

In making funding of any kind available, BSÉ/IFB pays close attention to any previous work by individuals making the application, taking into account their creative abilities in audiovisual media as well as their professional competence and reliability.

Because BSÉ/IFB support for International Production is directly linked to consideration of a film or TV programme’s economic effect within the Irish industry, funding is released during the course of production as follows: 50% upon completion of principal photography and receipt by BSÉ/IFB of an approved cost report demonstrating compliance with spend requirements to date as set out in the application; and 50% upon (a) full delivery of the film, (b) receipt by BSÉ/IFB of an approved and certified cost report demonstrating compliance with all spend requirements, and (c) satisfaction by BSÉ/IFB that all criteria as outlined in the offer letter have been met.

Who Can Apply
BSÉ/IFB funding for International Production is available to producers who are seeking to provide production services to a feature film or TV drama (single or series) originated and principally managed from outside Ireland, which will use Ireland as a location and/or production base.

In order to be eligible, projects must have the majority of their production finance already confirmed and must be scheduled to start pre-production not later than 31st December 2008.   

Films funded under this International Production programme may be made in any language.

Making an Application
Before making an application it is essential that you have read How To Apply guidelines on this website, paying particular attention to any relevant instructions with regard to contacting BSÉ/IFB executives in advance of applying.

Note that, before applying for this type of production funding, personal contact with either the Chief Executive (Simon Perry), the Irish Film Commissioner (Naoise Barry) or the Head of Legal & Business Affairs (Teresa McGrane) is essential in order to discuss the state of the project and its readiness to be considered. An application will not be accepted (i.e. logged in and processed) without this prior discussion having taken place.

If, having studied the How To Apply guidelines, you have any further queries about this type of funding you should contact the Irish Film Commissioner, Naoise Barry.

In order to apply you must download the application form from this page, complete it in full, and send it – together with all the additional materials requested – to BSÉ/IFB’s head office in Galway. (You cannot apply for BSÉ/IFB funding by fax or online.) Incomplete applications will not be processed.

The additional materials that must be included are:

• Screenplay (dated)
• Logline (ca. 25 words)
• Synopsis (ca. ½ A4 page)
• CVs of all principals
• Note of any cast or creative/technical personnel in place
• Note of any other marketable elements of the project
• Full production budget, including topsheet
• Analysis of Irish creative spend
• Finance plan indicating sources confirmed
• Evidence of ownership by the principal producer of rights in all relevant material

Applications should be delivered by post, by courier or in person to:

Schemes & Applications Co-ordinator
Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board
Queensgate
23 Dock Road
Galway

Following receipt of a submission, applicants will be sent an acknowledgement letter including a reference number which should be retained for use on all future correspondence.

Under current practice, applications for International Production funding received in Galway by the last business day of a calendar month will be considered at a decision-making round that falls no more than four weeks later. Decisions are communicated to applicants by letter immediately thereafter.

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