Adaptation Film Scheme & Bursary
Creative Heartlands I Sligo, Leitrim & Roscommon
The third annual Creative Heartlands Adaptation Film Bursary is now open for applications. The Adaptation Film Bursary is an award by Sligo Arts Services Department and the Creative Ireland Roscommon and Leitrim Programmes and is supported by the National Talent Academy for Film & Television Drama.
The bursary is open to both established and emerging filmmakers and production companies, living/working in the region, to support collaboration among filmmaking teams in the development of an original Adaptation Film project.
The ambition of the initiative is to produce a short film that is complementary to the original literary work, therefore not a literal translation. The raw material must be spoken word, song, poetry, short story or a literary fragment. The literary work or song must be the work of an artist (or artists) from either Sligo, Leitrim or Roscommon.
This is an opportunity for the filmmaker to express visually the essence of the literary work.
Three bursaries are available to film teams, each to the value of €6,000. The successful recipients can avail of:
- Creative Heartlands Editing and Shooting Equipment
- Mentoring support is available from Creative Heartlands Film Development Manager
- Applications are invited from teams led by professional* practicing film artists/producers/directors
- The successful bursaries will be awarded based on information supplied in the application
One film will be commissioned from a filmmaking team based in each of the counties that are part of Creative Heartlands project – Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. The address of the lead applicant will determine the county of origin of the application.
Dates/Duration:
Films are to be delivered in September 2025 for presentation at Adaptation Film Weekend in September 2025
Who Can Apply:
Applications are invited from practising film artists/producers/directors.
The applicant must be a professional practising film artist/producer/director based in Sligo, Leitrim or Roscommon. Although you might not earn income continuously or exclusively from your arts practice, applicants must identify themselves and be recognised by their peers as professional practising artists.
How To Apply:
Interested filmmakers must apply by completing the form at the following link: Adaptation Film Bursary 2025
In this form you will be asked to supply and upload materials, including but not limited to:
- CVs/Biographies of the principle people involved, including the author(s) of the source work (upload)
- An outline notable development in your practice/career to date, and that of the team.
- A links to at least one, and no more than three, of your most relevant previous film works.
- A summary your project in one sentence.
- A description of your film proposal in detail.
- An upload a copy of the source work (Poem, Song, Spoken Word, Short Story, Literary Fragment etc.
- Upload a comprehensive schedule and budget for your activity detailing all anticipated income and expenditure including this bursary.
An incomplete application will not be taken into consideration.
For queries, please email: creativeheartlandsfilm@gmail.com
Deadline to apply is Midnight, Sunday, 11th May, 2025
Assessment Criteria:
- Track record of those involved in the project (20%)
- Likely benefit to artists involved in the project that live/work in the region. (20%)
- Artistic quality of the proposal (film proposal and original work) (20%)
- Evidence of collaboration and distinct roles among the film team. (20%)
- Feasibility (20%)
Further Information:
3 Bursaries in total
Bursaries will be paid in two parts - €5,000 on award; €1,000 balance on completion and delivery.
Further information: creativeheartlandsfilm@gmail.com
The National Talent Academies Film and TV is an initiative of Screen Ireland managed by Ardán.
Closing Date to apply is Midnight, 11th May, 2025
Successful applicants will be notified by 16th May 2025
Performing Arts Forum Gathering May 2025
Two bursaries for arts practitioners based in the Sligo County administrative area to attend the Performing Arts Forum Gathering in Limerick were awarded to artists Heather Rose and Monica McCarthy.
The Performing Arts Bursaries Cover a ticket to Performing Arts Forum Limerick Gathering includes all day sessions, two lunches, dinner, coffee breaks and the artistic programme; an Artist Honorarium of €150; Accommodation and Travel Contribution of €150.
