BBC NI and Northern Ireland Screen launch new scripted initiative for companies with a base in Northern Ireland
Date Posted: December 17, 2024
The Green Lit project is designed to support new writing, production, directing and acting talent
BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen have launched the new collaboration Green Lit.
Green Lit will support emerging writing, production, directing and acting talent from Northern Ireland through the production of three new standalone scripted drama or comedy-drama films.
The films will be broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland in 2025 and carried on BBC iPlayer across the UK and will act as a ‘proof of concept’ for a bigger television production.
A variety of editorial proposals will be considered for the Green Lit scheme, including drama, comedy and comedy-drama. Proposals must be submitted by companies with a base in Northern Ireland. Projects for which the writers and/or directors are resident in Northern Ireland will be favoured.
Six projects will be selected for an initial phase of funded development. Three of these projects will then be selected to proceed to full production of a short film. While the expectation is that most proposals will be around 15-20 minutes long, there is no standard duration stipulated for the films, and proposals based on a variety of different lengths can be accepted.
Green Lit will begin with a briefing session this week, followed by a networking opportunity in January 2025. The deadline for submissions will be Friday 21 February with delivery of the final chosen films expected in September 2025.
Further information can be found via the BBC NI Commissioning website and on the Northern Ireland Screen website.
Eddie Doyle, Head of Commissioning, BBC Northern Ireland, says: “We’re committed to playing our part in the development of the creative sector here and we’re excited to be collaborating once again with our partners in Northern Ireland Screen on the scripted Green Lit initiative.
“We know there is a lot of new and emerging writing, acting, producing and directing talent here in Northern Ireland and Green Lit is a wonderful opportunity to develop and harness that talent with the ultimate goal of seeing a scripted production go to broadcast and with the possibility of developing further into a long-form film or series.”
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said; “Nurturing emerging talent is at the heart of everything we do at Northern Ireland Screen. Green Lit represents an incredible opportunity for local writers, directors, producers, and actors to bring their vision to life, supported by the expertise of BBC Northern Ireland. This initiative not only provides a vital platform for fresh voices to be heard, but it also strengthens the foundation of our creative industry, paving the way for larger productions and greater opportunities for Northern Ireland’s screen sector.”
The Green Lit scripted development scheme follows the successful Hot House collaboration between BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen.
Hot House aims to support and develop the skills and profile of Northern Ireland independent production companies in unscripted genres. With a range of titles from the first Hot House round now coming to BBC Northern Ireland and BBC network in early 2025, the second round of the initiative opened has now opened, with a focus on Daytime and Early Peak, Documentaries and Factual Entertainment. For more information, visit the BBC NI Commissioning website.
