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This scheme will not run in 2012.

About Virtual Cinema 

Virtual Cinema is a scheme for the making of high-quality short films that are suited to the new forms of digital consumption. Films made under the scheme can be fiction or non-fiction, live-action or use any kind of animation technique. 

The scheme aims to encourage exploration of fresh filmmaking ground, with no creative holds barred. We are looking for creative ideas which will exploit interesting, new and traditional filmmaking techniques but can hold the attention of the YouTube audience. Deliberately, no guidelines are offered at this stage with regard to content or style, though material likely to give serious offence is unlikely to be funded.

Films may be made in Irish or English.


Parameters of the Scheme
   -  Number of films:             up to 6 per year

   -  Duration:                         maximum 2 to 5 minutes

   -  Budget per film:              maximum €3,000

   -  Format: 
             -  Origination on any digital format or flash animation
             -  Delivery on digital format suitable for 
                distribution/exhibition and on DVD

Who Can Apply
Applications are invited from teams or individuals who can provide a CV demonstrating some relevant past experience. Full-time students are not eligible.

Procedure 
Applications can be made on-line only. Please see link to online application forms.  Applications must be completed in full. As scripts are not necessarily needed to make an application please ensure that your treatment is as details as possible. It is not possible to apply for BSÉ/IFB funding by post or fax. Please do not send applications to BSÉ/IFB's head office in Galway. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Submissions will be examined by BSÉ/IFB personnel. A shortlist will be drawn up; shortlisted teams and individuals may be invited to attend an interview.  The interview panel will be made up of BSÉ/IFB and an external.

Awards will be made to up to six teams, the number of VIRTUAL CINEMA films to be funded being dependent upon the overall standard of submissions.

Rights
The IFB retain non-exclusive rights in all media in Ireland and non-exclusive promotional rights for the rest of the world.  The rest of the distribution rights will remain with the filmmaker who can choose to appoint a sales agent or distribute the film themselves. The IFB feel this will provide vital training in the area of distribution and will enable filmmakers to build relationships with distributors directly.

The distribution rights for films contracted prior to 2010 have not changed.

Important Features of the Scheme

• As a general rule VIRTUAL CINEMA films should be originated and creatively led by Irish talent or talent resident in Ireland, and their production should be practically managed from Ireland.
• BSÉ/IFB will have approval rights over the following elements of all films made under the scheme:

   -  Shooting script
   -  Casting
   -  Key technical crew

 

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