FilmOffaly launch lucrative award for film makers

FilmOffaly, Offaly County Council’s Film Commission has announce the launch of

its annual Short Film Award.

Since 2008 FilmOffaly has offered a bursary and mentorship to writers and filmmakers with

unique stories to tell. The award is looking for screenplays of short films from any genre,

style, topic or perspective – the chief rule being that the final film must be 100% shot in

County Offaly.

This year’s award will offer €12,000 towards the production and shooting of one

successful script. In addition, shortlisted entries will all receive script mentoring to develop

their work.

The Short Film Award was one of the first such awards in the country. Since then, it has

fostered creative filmmaking in the county, utilising Offaly’s many locations, crew and local

businesses. Over the years the award has commissioned 16 films with over 80 shortlisted

entries receiving support to develop their scripts.

The first award was made in 2008 to Domhnall Gleeson for the short film Noreen, which

starred Brendan and Brian Gleeson. Noreen and many of the subsequent award winners

have gone on to receive accolades and screenings at several international film festivals.

FilmOffaly’s Darren Lee, says: “We recently screened a selection of award winners at the

Esker Arts Centre. It was wonderful to be there with the audience and to see them being

swept away by the diverse storytelling this award has been able to bring to the screen. By

nurturing filmmakers and working with local talent and businesses, we have managed to

achieve a great deal so far. We are especially excited to see what this year brings.”

Applications opened on January 30 and run until noon on 17 th March.

Further information is available on FilmOffaly.ie.