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Funding for distributors to help defray the costs of theatrical release in Ireland of feature films supported by BSÉ/IFB

Note: this scheme will be reviewed during 2009 and may be suspended in favour of a different approach to the support of theatrical distribution in Ireland

About the Funding
Prints & Advertsing funding is provided in the form of loans recoverable from distributor’s gross revenues generated from the Irish theatrical box office as well as DVD exploitation. BSÉ/IFB will normally allow the distributor to recoup its own investment in prints and advertising (but not any advance put up by the distributor) before BSÉ/IFB’s funding is recouped.

Funding is made available on a matching basis with the distributor’s own investment, up to a maximum level of funding by BSÉ/IFB of €50,000.

Criteria
BSÉ/IFB decision to assist the release of a film in Ireland will be predicated upon a positive assessment of the distributor’s campaign, release plan and P&A budget. BSÉ/IFB will also need to be convinced that its support will enable the distributor to extend the scope of the film’s promotion and release beyond what the distributor would be prepared to risk alone.

Who Can Apply
BSÉ/IFB funding for Prints & Advertising is available to distributors established in Ireland who are planning to release an eligible film in the Irish theatrical market. Eligible films are full-length feature films (fiction, animation or documentary) that have benefited from BSÉ/IFB production funding.

BSÉ/IFB can contract only with companies incorporated in the Republic of Ireland.

Making an Application
Before making an application for Prints & Advertising funding you should contact BSÉ/IFB’s Industry Affairs Executive, Patrick O’Neill, in order to confirm the film’s eligibility and give notice that you intend to apply.

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:

• Distribution agreement relating to Irish theatrical rights
• Full prints & advertising budget for Irish release
• Theatrical release plan for the Irish territory (to include the marketing plan, media plan, poster art, film comparisons, competitors analysis, exhibitor list etc.)
• Theatrical Trailer (if applicable)
• Rationale for requesting funding from BSÉ/IFB
• Profitability models in relation to box-office performance

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 Prints & Advertising 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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