Splanc Call for Submissions

Splanc! is the Irish language arts documentary scheme that supports the creative exploration of the arts in Ireland. This season aims to fund short films of 3 – 5 minutes in duration on any art form which will form a collective response to 100 years of art in Ireland. A total fund of €120,000 is available to support up to nine short films.

Each film will be a response to some aspect of the arts in Ireland over the last hundred years. For example, it could be a response to a work of art, or a reflection on, or an exploration of, a particular facet of the arts. Each film must have a clear and authored artistic vision and take a creative approach to its subject. All artistic disciplines will be considered.

Films can be bilingual (Irish and English) but those that have the verbal arts / spoken word as their subject must be in Irish only. Submissions from filmmakers only or filmmakers who have teamed up with artists are both welcome. Films should be conceived for broadcast pre and post watershed on the TG4 primetime programme schedule, for theatrical exhibition at festivals, and for online broadcast throughout 2016.

Films will be selected on the basis of: the track record of the applicant; the feasibility of the proposal; and the artistic vision of the applicant and his/her creative approach to the proposed subject. The series of films will aim to show a range of arts subjects provide diversity in terms of geographical spread and profile. A maximum of nine films will be selected.

Galway Film Centre will administer the commissioning of the films and TG4’s Terms of Trade will apply. Representatives from TG4, An Chomhairle Ealaíon/the Arts Council and Galway Film Centre will select the projects for production. TG4 and An Chomhairle Ealaíon/the Arts Council encourage the employment of film workers working through the Irish language and require the provision of equitable conditions and remuneration of artists involved in Splanc! films.

• Film duration: 3 – 5 minutes in duration.
• Production Budget: €12,500 per film.
• Format: HD with English subtitles
• Language Format: Irish language or bilingual – Irish and English. All verbal arts must be in Irish only.
• A maximum of three films will be commissioned from any one filmmaker.
• Films will be selected on their creative approach, diversity of subject matter and those that provide diversity in terms of geographical spread and profile.

Submissions by email only should be sent to splanc@galwayfilmcentre.ie and deadline for receipt of submissions is 5pm, Monday, 16th November 1915.

Submissions must include:
• A detailed treatment of no longer than 2,000 words to include a narrative and visual outline of the film.
• A detailed production budget and budget summary (including music and subject clearances, deliverables and marketing materials). The budget should be completed on the standard TG4 Splanc! budget form which can be downloaded from the following link: TG4 Production Budget Form.
• CVs of the creative team involved in the proposal including director, producer, writer, editor.
• Evidence of ownership. Copies of all option and writers agreements entered into in respect of story and script if applicable to the project.
• Written confirmation in the form of clearances and permissions of key subject’s willingness to participate.
• Excerpts of director work or other artistic references which supports the submission (as online links and / or attachments to the email).

Successful shortlisted applicants must be available for interview on Wednesday, 2nd December.

The award for the series will be made by Galway Film Centre in association with TG4 and An Chomhairle Ealaíon/the Arts Council. TG4 terms of trade will apply. It is expected that projects will be completed and available for broadcast on the TG4 primetime schedule from March 2016.