The Irish Language Broadcast Fund, BBC Gaeilge and TG4 are seeking ideas for Gealán – the feature length Irish language drama initiative. Doineann, which premiered at the Belfast Film Festival, and won the RTS NI award for Best Drama in 2023 was the first project to come from this collaborative initiative. The second Gealán project, Aontas premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and at Dublin International Film Festival before going on to win Best Feature and Best Director awards at the Manchester International Film Festival. It also won Best Feature at the San Luis Obispo and Maryland Film Festivals and has just screened at the Shanghai International Film Festival.
We are seeking ideas for a feature length drama set in an environment where Irish would be spoken naturally. The drama should have both a national and international appeal.
The drama fund will initially support the development of two projects with one of those projects supported for production.
The aim of the scheme is to support and develop the Irish language drama sector in Northern Ireland, enabling the production of entertaining content with international appeal.
The feature would have a cinematic and/or festival release prior to broadcast on both TG4 and BBC Northern Ireland.
The development budget available is £22,500 per project. For production funding, the amount available from the 3 funders will be £360,000. Companies will also be entitled to apply for a UK tax credit which should bring the overall budget to approximately £450,000.
Development applications will be accepted from individuals or production companies based in Northern Ireland, but in all cases the proposed writer and director must be fluent Irish speakers.
The development period will also include support from an experienced script editor and may include other forms of support where applicable.
To apply
Read more details na d how to add your submissions at the Northern Ireland Screen website below.
Tionscnamh Drámaí fad Scannáin – Gealán
Deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 22nd August 2025 at 5pm.
