DISNEY+ UK AND NORTHERN IRELAND SCREEN DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR FEMALE-SKEWED FACTUAL
Have you got the next unscripted hit for Disney+?
Director of Unscripted Originals and Belfast native Sean Doyle in collaboration with Northern Ireland Screen is on the hunt for single films from indies in Northern Ireland for Disney+.
Following in the footsteps of Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story, and the upcoming In Vogue (working title) we are on the hunt for female skewed premium single films that have brilliant female leads or female-skewed subject matter. You could find stories from the recent past or stories that are playing out in real time as your cameras follow the action and all the twists and turns of the story. True Crime is an area we are yet to commission into, but we have had success in the world of true scandal. We would love more single films like the critically acclaimed Finding Michael which have real talkability and feel must watch. Although your idea doesn’t have to be a Northern Irish story, we would like the stories and contributors to be set in Northern Ireland, Ireland, or England, Scotland or Wales.
Brief
Local independent production companies are invited to pitch in a bid to receive a development fund awarded by Disney+ UK and Northern Ireland Screen. This development opportunity is seeking projects that fit the following brief:
- Female-skewed
- Factual
- Single film
- Northern Irish, Irish or British subject matter
Up to five indies based in Northern Ireland will receive development funding from Disney and Northern Ireland Screen (matched funding), plus one-to-one sessions with Sean Doyle Director of Unscripted Originals for Disney+ EMEA for a period of up to 12 months, approximately 4 x 90 minute sessions per chosen idea.
Eligibility Criteria
The development strand of the Screen Fund is open to independent production companies based in Northern Ireland who are able to demonstrate a track record in output and that are working with Northern Ireland resident creative talent (e.g. writer, director, producer). All applicant companies must be legally incorporated. Local authorities, educational establishments and community groups are not eligible to apply.
Submission Details
Please submit a paper pitch of no more than one page, in line with the brief outlined above, along with a short company biography. Please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria outlined above and are pitching to the outlined brief prior to submitting your ideas or your submission will be deemed ineligible.
All submissions should be emailed to [email protected], submissions received after the deadline of midday on Friday 22nd December will be excluded.
Timeline
Fri 1st Dec – Submissions window opens.
Fri 22nd Dec – Deadline for submissions, midday.
*Early Jan 2024 – Meetings with short-listed companies.
By submitting your project to Northern Ireland Screen you recognise and accept that The Walt Disney Company and/or Northern Ireland Screen may independently receive or be developing, now or in the future, or may already have received or developed, other project ideas which may be similar/in similar areas to the one you submit.
*Please note only successfully short-listed companies will be notified.
