Short Film Schemes
Northern Ireland Screen runs a number of short film schemes throughout the year. These schemes are aimed at developing Northern Ireland resident creative talent (writer, director producer teams).
Short Film Schemes:
Short Film Call (NOW OPEN)
Northern Ireland Screen supports the production of Short Films with funding via the Short Film Call. The Short Film Call is for production funding and covers live action, factual and virtual reality short films.
Northern Ireland Screen has been awarded Lottery Funds through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and BFI NETWORK to support the production of Short Film at both Individual and Company level.
Funding is available at Individual and Production Company level to produce live action, factual and virtual reality short films normally up to 15 minutes in length.
The call for Individual Applications closes on Friday 27th June 2025.
The call for Company Applications closes on Friday 1st August 2025.
If you have read the FAQs and these guidelines and wish to apply for funding then please contact Tory Killen, Funding Executive, ([email protected]) to request a link to an online application form.
Find out more here.
New Short Focus (NOW OPEN)
New Shorts Features is is a fiction development scheme specifically for under-represented new and emerging Northern Ireland resident writer and writer/director talent. This is the only development scheme that we run for short film.
Closing date: 12 NOON Friday 29th August 2025
Find out more here.
Creative Animation (NOW OPEN)
Northern Ireland Screen’s Creative Animation Scheme is designed to develop Northern Ireland resident junior creators/animators through the production of animated short films. The scheme provides junior level creators/animators with the opportunity to develop their own ideas with support from established animation companies.
It is Northern Ireland Screen’s ambition that completed short films would be submitted to accredited film festivals and could have a successful festival run after delivery of the film. The scheme is supported via funding from the Screen Fund and BFI NETWORK. Northern Ireland Screen will support the production of up to two animated short films through funding awarded in the financial year 2025-26.
The scheme is currently open for applications with a deadline of Friday 19th September 2025
Find out more here.
MARKETING SUPPORT FOR SHORTS
Northern Ireland Screen can provide support for new and emerging writers, directors and producers to attend one screening of their Northern Ireland Screen supported live action, animation, factual, or fiction short film at an international Oscar or BAFTA accredited film festival.
To be eligible for this support, your short film must be in receipt of an invitation to screen at one of the international film festivals on the Oscar or Bafta accredited film festivals lists. Screenings at UK and Ireland Oscar or BAFTA accredited film festivals are NOT eligible.
Short filmmakers must apply as soon as their short film has been invited to screen at an international Oscar or BAFTA accredited international film festival.
Full details and information on how to apply can be found here.
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