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Funding for feature films originating outside Ireland in which an Irish producer is involved as a creative collaborator and provider of a minority of the finance needed and where the film is structured as an official co-production; and, in certain cases

Note 1: this category does not include TV drama (singles or series)

Note 2: this funding programme is for live-action and animated feature films, but not animated TV series.

About the Funding

Funding is provided in the form of limited-recourse loans recoverable from a share of revenues from exploitation of the film 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 this website. BSÉ/IFB will need to be satisfied that the amount to be provided corresponds to the level of involvement of Irish personnel, elements and facilities in the co-production.

BSÉ/IFB production funding is generally provided during production in accordance with an agreed cashflow. 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.

Official Co-Productions

As a matter of principle films supported by BSÉ/IFB Creative Co-production funding must be approved as official co-productions under a bilateral treaty or the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production. Where in exceptional cases BSÉ/IFB agrees to waive this requirement the film must still be structured as a bona fide co-production in which ownership, rights and revenues are shared among the co-producers. BSÉ/IFB will now not waive the requirement for official status in respect of co-productions with the UK.

Who Can Apply

BSÉ/IFB funding for Creative Co-Production is available to Irish producers who are seeking to co-produce and collaborate creatively on a feature film (live-action or animation) originated outside Ireland, which is structured as an official co-production.

Further Considerations

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.

In cases of co-production where the eventual film will have little or no visual Irish content or no apparent cultural connection with Ireland, or where no principal photography is taking place in Ireland, funding is unlikely to be provided under this heading.  In particular projects the Irish creative elements are limited to one or two actors and one or two HOD's are working outside Ireland or where a part only of post production is taking place in Ireland (full digital visual effects productions in Ireland will be positively regarded) are unlikely to be funded. Reciprocity from funding agencies in other jurisdictions will be sought in appropriate circumstances. 

Films funded under this Creative Co-Production programme may be made in any language.

Making an Application

Before making an application it is essential that you have read the Production Funding Procedures and How To Apply guidelines on this website, paying particular attention to procedures to be followed and BSÉ/IFB Executives responsible for each type of funding.

It is also essential, in the case of Creative Co-Production funding, that you download and read carefully the Admissible Irish Expenditure guidelines.

Before applying for this type of production funding, personal contact with one of BSÉ/IFB's Production team -  a Project Manager (Rory Gilmartin, Mary Callery, Keith Potter) - is essential in order to discuss the state of the project and its readiness to be considered. In the case of Creative Co-production funding it may be particularly important to verify the balance of reciprocity existing at the time between the co-producing countries. An application will not be accepted (i.e. logged 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 BSÉ/IFB's Production & Development Co-ordinator, Sarah Dillon.

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. Applications by fax or online will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Additional Materials that must be included are:

• Explanation of the co-production structure, setting out the countries, companies and individual producers involved, the work to be undertaken by each and the respective percentages of their contributions.
• Logline (ca. 25 words)
• Synopsis (ca. ½ A4 page)
• Screenplay (dated)
• CVs of all principals, including co-producers
• Note of any cast or creative/technical personnel in place
• Note of any other marketable elements of the project
• Production budget, including top sheet
• Irish creative spend production budget, including topsheet
• 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 Creative Co-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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