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Funding to enable (a) the making of theatrical prints of Irish films  (features and shorts) for the purpose of official screening at one of a list of approved festivals, and (b) the making of theatrical prints of Irish short films and, in certain circumstances, Irish feature films that are offered a release in Ireland by a recognised distribution company.

Note:  Feature length films (whether fiction, animation or documentary) are not eligible for either type of funding described above if a 35mm print of the film already exists; if a 35mm print of a short film already exists it is still eligible for funding under (b).

Festival Prints
Eligibility for this type of funding is strictly contingent upon selection of the film as an official entry in an international film festival approved by BSÉ/IFB. Funding will be forthcoming if, and only if, the festival in question cannot show the film unless it is available in 35mm format. Applicants must show evidence of an invitation from a festival on the following (recently revised) list:

• FLICKERFEST Internation Short Film Festival 
• SUNDANCE Film Festival
• ROTTERDAM International Film Festival
• BERLIN International Film Festival
• TRIBECA Film Festival
• CANNES Film Festival
• ANNECY Festival of Animation Fims
• EDINBURGH International Film Festival
• KARLOVY VARY International Film Festival
• LOCARNO International Film Festival
• VENICE International Film Festival
• TORONTO International Film Festival
• SAN SEBASTIAN International Film Festival
• PUSAN International Film Festival 
• LONDON Film Festival
• THESSALONIKI International Film Festival

Funding is available to both feature length and short films to cover the cost of processes entailed in making one or two 35mm prints (if and as required by the festival) of a film that is otherwise completed. This may include the technical costs of a blow-up intermediate or digital transfer and associated soundtrack costs, as well as of the prints themselves, but may not include any other completion processes, clearances, fees, etc.

The film that is the subject of the application need not have already received development or production funding from BSÉ/IFB but should be able to demonstrate a clear connection to Ireland in its origin or content.

Release Prints
This type of funding is available to short films that have either been made under one of BSÉ/IFB’s short film schemes or received Festival Prints funding as just described, and is contingent upon a commitment from a recognised distributor to release the film theatrically in Ireland.

Funding for short films is available for the same technical purposes as for Festival Prints (see above) but can cover the cost of up to 20 prints of a film made under one of BSÉ/IFB’s short film schemes, or up to 10 prints of a film not made under a scheme but already in receipt of Festival Prints funding. Consideration will also be given to funding the cost of making a Digital Cinema Package if this will enable wider release of a short film.

This type of funding is also available, subject to BSÉ/IFB approval on a case by case basis, to enable feature films already supported by BSÉ/IFB production funding to be released in Irish cinemas in both 35mm and digital formats. Funding may be provided to cover the cost of processes entailed in making up to three 35mm prints of a film delivered in digital format. Equally it may be provided to cover the cost of making a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) for a film delivered in 35mm format.

Note that BSÉ/IFB now requires most films in receipt of its production funding and originated on digital material to include in their production budgets the cost of making a DCP. Where this is not the case but a DCP is required for theatrical release, BSÉ/IFB may award Print Provision funding for this purpose.

About the Funding
In principle Print Provision funding is provided on a grant basis by BSÉ/IFB and is non-repayable. In certain circumstances, for example where the amount of funding is unusually high, BSÉ/IFB reserves the right to require repayment from the producer’s share of film revenues in such a way as not to disturb existing arrangements with production financiers.

Making an Application
Before making an application for either type of Print Provision funding you should contact BSÉ/IFB’s Marketing & Communications Executive, Louise Ryan, in order to confirm the film’s eligibility.

If the film is confirmed as eligible, 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:

• Logline (ca. 25 words)
• Synopsis (ca. ½ A4 page)
• DVD or VHS copy of the completed film with note of running time
• Description of the processes required to produce 35mm print(s) or DCP
• Detailed budget with quotes from laboratory/post-production facility for the processes required, and including censorship costs if applicable
• Full cast and crew lists
• Written confirmation of qualifying invitation (Festival Prints) or of commitment to distribution in Ireland (Release Prints)

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 Print Provision 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. In cases where festival deadlines call for a quicker decision and the funding required is less than €10,000, this timeline may be reduced to one week.

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